We’ve had quite a journey at Flying Cloud. It’s pretty amazing how much can happen in so few days. So here’s what we’ve been up to.
A few days after we hiked down to the Plymouth camps for dinner with Timberlake and then an all-camp Interdependence Day (full of songs, skits, ice cream, music, and dancing), Flying Cloud campers set off on our first session trips. All in all, six trips went out, and each Flying Cloud camper had a chance to leave camp and go on a new adventure! The trips were:
Breadloaf: A hiking trip in the Breadloaf Wilderness area, the largest wilderness area in Vermont. Running mostly along a ridge, this trip had some stunning views, especially from Sunset Ledge. Campers also decided to bring a loaf of bread with them on the trail as a mascot, carrying it all the way to their destination (the Lincoln Gap parking lot)
Survival: A base camping trip that focused on shelter building, plant, tree, and wild edible identification, as well as camouflage and silent movement. The highlight of the trip was when the campers got to sneak up on an unsuspecting group of support staff having a cookout.
Green River: A base camping canoeing trip on Vermont’s Green River Reservoir. This trip explored the beautiful, undeveloped lakeshore, went fishing, camped across from a loon nesting site, got to see beavers in action, and ended the trip with a night paddle by moonlight.
Hide Tanning: This trip set up camp by a stream and spent their time turning deerskins and cowhide strips into leather. From fleshing to soaking in ash, graining, and stretching, this group learned a lot about tanning hides.
White Mountains: This group headed to the Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire’s White Mountains for a strenuous hike that pushed the group’s limits and left them feeling a huge sense of accomplishment. One of the highlights was getting up early enough on the last day to watch the sunrise from the top of Mt. Guyot.
Flagstaff: While the rest of the trips ran for four days, Flagstaff left a day early and returned a day late for a full six days of hiking and canoeing. After three days of canoeing across Maine’s Flagstaff Lake, our trip handed the boats over to a Saltash Mountain Camp trip and began hiking across the Bigelows. Besides breathtaking views, they also spotted moose, loons, and bald eagles.
While these trips were all a lot of fun, we’re sure glad to be back in camp enjoying the last few days of the July session. Sadly, there’s only one week left with our first session campers, but it’ll be a wild one at that. We’ve got another Naming Ceremony coming soon, a ton of exciting activities, and a bunch of projects to finish. I’ll fill you in on the happenings of Flying Cloud in the next blog though. Until then, I hope you’re getting to have some fun in the forest like we are!
Be well and much love,
~Forest Flame~