This is the point in the summer when it feels simultaneously like Tamarack Farm has been running along forever and yet, in just a blink of an eye, time has passed. There are faces familiar and brand new. On Thursday and Friday of the first week of camp, we spent time orienting and exploring. In the morning, groups rotated through Barns and Gardens, and Work Project trainings. Campers were introduced or reacquainted with our milking cows, Rhubarb and Rachel, and to our rows of lettuce and beets.
Each person tried their hand at the circular saw after touring the Wood Shop. We had our first Cabin Night on Friday evening. Each cabin came together for a special activity, ranging from cookie baking and construction projects, to canoeing and telling stories by a fire. Our Saturdays here at TF are highlighted by our all-camp work projects in the morning. For our first Saturday, we set about helping to rebuild and reconstruct after Hurricane Irene’s devastation last summer. Here at Farm & Wilderness, we were spared the brunt of the destruction. We did face some remodeling of our cabin area in terms of new streams and debris. So, we spent our morning making decorative and functional rock walls to divert rain runoff, shoring up a section of the road that had eroded, and leveling our new section of waterfront created by the storm. Every single member of this community tackled the work with gusto; campers carried large rocks safely; tools were shared and work was distributed evenly with everyone involved and communicating.
Those first afternoons were equally meaningful. We dove into activities head first with gumption. The strength of the staff this year lies in their diverse set of interests, and is reflected in an array of activity choices. So, staff and campers built chairs, created salves from naturally infused oils from our own farm, and hiked to Sauter’s Rock, which offers one of the most breathtaking views of this valley. The list goes on, with massive Ultimate Frisbee games, guitar practice, costume making, needle felting, and some board games for the rainy days.
We try to instill a sense of responsibility and ownership in the campers, which is never more exemplified than when campers lead activities. Usually it can take a week or so for campers to feel comfortable enough to take that step. This year, has been unusual in all the best ways thus far. One new F&W camper led a soccer game on his second day. Another has taken a leading role in choosing and writing our Interdependence Day song. (Rather than a Fourth of July, this is the special day when all of F&W comes together to perform songs and skits in honor of our communities). Tonight, Farm & Wilderness will serenade the valley with song and dance before closing the evening with bonfire.
Our first full week of Work Projects went as well as our opening days. The campers selected their project for the week on Sunday and divide into their work crews every morning. These projects are the best tools we have for community building. Each week, one is working with a different group and getting to know new friends. Nothing brings a community together like working side by side. That idea is one of the main tenets of Tamarack Farm. This week was no exception. Crews started building a new shower house, a new composting outhouse- what we call kybos- rebuilding bridges and trails, weeding the garden, harvesting bushels, baskets, and barrels of vegetables, as well as learning some soil science.
Last but not least, Tamarack Farm has embarked on a new chapter in our service and community outreach. Six campers were the first installment of the Tamarack Farm Service Corps. We are proud of this idea and the work this group performed this past week backed up that sentiment. In the wake of Hurricane Irene, Tamarack Farm has decided to reach out, more than ever before to the surrounding area, and offer our willing and able hands. This week, for example, the Corps worked with the River Clean Up Project, Evening Song Farm, and the Mission, which is a food bank in Rutland. Additionally, they came to the rescue of the 90-year-old Miss Lee, helping to clean out the detritus and still standing water from the storm. Every week, a new crew will rotate through these projects and really try to make a difference in the local area.
OK, faithful readers, thanks again for tuning in! We have got more posts and pictures coming soon. For now the dinner bells are ringing and a parade is about to start! Have a wonderful day!
-Cody Tannen-Barrup