Archive for August, 2008

It was wonderful to see you all at Fair this past weekend, a resounding success, and fun had by all. For myself it was a time for reflection, although I was in the middle of it all, it was wonderful to see how harmoniously our community operates. Your children have acquired many skills at camp this summer in all of the various activities offered, but what I hope you will witness is something that can not be measured. Each camper has learned how to live and build a community that is safe to live in. They are shown how to be accountable for their belongings, participate in chores, express their feelings openly, and learn how to resolve conflict.
There is a closeness that can not be described, a trust that runs deep, and friendships that are both formed and strengthened. The children learn how to support each other through numerous challenges. For some it may be homesickness or adjusting to living closely in a space with people you do not know. For others it may be as simple as getting into the water for swim lessons, or gaining the courage to climb the chimney. Your children have accomplished much this summer, and I am sad to see them and my wonderful staff go home. I would like to thank you for sharing your children with us, I have cherished each of their unique spirits, and marveled at their growth here at Indian Brook.

Dear Indian Brook Families,

This week has been very busy at IB. Campers are excitedly preparing for Fair and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of parents and friends this Saturday. Please remember to park your car at Bear Creek as per Linda Berryhill’s Letter. There will be shuttles to take you to Farm and Wilderness.

Yesterday was “Someday” at Indian Brook, one of the most anticipated special days of the summer. The theme of “Someday” is to do the things you would not ordinarily do at Indian Brook. We started our day with Blueberries and Cream followed by a dance party with recorded music, much to the glee of the campers. Although the day started with a large thunder storm, the smiles on the campers faces was enough sunshine for the state of Vermont. Our morning activities included dropping chocolate pudding into the campers mouths from the windows of the lodge, playing quidditch in the pouring rain, mattress slip and slide down hills, Hobart showers, followed by pirate fights and breaking Nalgene bottles (which is supposed to be impossible but they did it!)!!
We also celebrated Susan Webb’s 100th Birthday. Susan is one of the founders of Farm & Wilderness, and the first Indian Brook Director. Kristi Webb joined us for lunch and shared many stories about her grandmother Susan. The campers clear favorite, was learning of Susan’s Identical Twin and how Susan would have her twin stand in for her when she was not at camp, without the children and staff ever knowing.

Conversation at the meal tables have already started to be about next year at camp. I sat at Birches, an upper senior lodge table, this morning as the topic of going to Tamarack Farm came up. Susie, a staff member, went into a description of what the Farm was like, saying, “My life would not be the same if I had not gone there.” She reflected on how she has made a lifetime of friends within the Farm & Wilderness community, and how she truly began to understand what sustainable living means by being here.

During Dinner the night before, I sat at a First Lodge table, where campers were trying to decide whether to go to Saltash Mountain next year or come back to Indian Brook. At lunch I sat at Rosa Parks, one of the Big Lodge tables, the conversation was less about what to do next summer, rather the conversation was all about the food at Indian Brook. We had a particularly and I quote “amazing, delicious, nutritious, yum,” lunch consisting of chard from the garden, brown rice, black beans, fried plantain bananas, sweet potatoes and all the fixings…..we all licked our plates clean, a trip tradition learnt on the trail.

It is hard to believe a week and a half ago you dropped your children at Indian Brook. The time has truly flown by. The first week of camp was rather wet, which limited some of the activities that we could do, but certainly did not dampen the spirits of the campers.

During the first week of camp the girls did cabin overnights and trips training, which helped to prepare them for their second week of camp. During the second week, campers go out into the wilderness for 3-7 days, backpacking, climbing, canoeing and service trips. I actually had the opportunity to go out on the Camels Hump trip for a day and have dinner with the group. After six miles of hiking on the Long Trail, that pasta tasted really good. It was especially nice to see how the physical challenges of the trail bring the girls together as a team, and to witness the sense of accomplishment that they felt.

We are having a bountiful year thus far on the farm, and yesterday we harvested a lot of garlic, beans, lettuce and weeds with the campers during garden morning. We have been very lucky to be treated daily to farm-fresh produce at meal times

The campers have all experienced some great day trips to places such as Buttermilk Falls, the Plymouth Caves, and the Plymouth cheese factory. Today we only have 11 campers at camp so we are taking them to the Montshire Museum of Natural Science in Norwich Vermont, a very interactive museum with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities.

Campers are already busy preparing concessions to sell and make during the Fair, on August 9th. Please remember to send your children letters, they truly enjoy opening letters from home.

I hope you are enjoying your summer as much as campers are at Indian Brook.