We’ve had an exciting week at camp. On Thursday, Senior Lodgers returned from their five-day trips in high spirits. We are so happy to have them back at Indian Brook! Mealtimes had been too quiet without them. On Tuesday, First and Big Lodgers had adventures of their own. Adventure Day offered them the opportunity to visit a sculpture garden, go for a 13-mile hike, perform “random acts of kindness” in a nearby town, follow a stream to its mountain source, or swim in each of the Farm & Wilderness camp’s waterfronts, among other activities. Some campers went to the ice beds to hike and swim in the chilly water while others were excited to learn about Calvin Coolidge on their hike to his hometown in Plymouth, VT.
Senior Lodgers were able to choose from several hiking and canoeing trips, two farm-service excursions, or a rock climbing adventure. Although a couple of hiking trips were re-routed because of bear activity in the area, and one farm service trip had to pack out ALL of their waste (!), they all had excellent skits to share with the rest of camp. Another camper reported that her hiking trip, while exhausting, made her feel incredibly strong.
Unfortunately, the Senior Lodgers missed out on some magical fun that occurred on Wednesday night. First and Big Lodgers found playing cards beneath their dinner plates and were later startled to see a human-sized rabbit with a pocket watch in their midst! The cards were their personal ticket into Wonderland– the theme of this year’s un-birthday celebration! Counselors were transformed into a bubble blowing caterpillar, face painting Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, a distressed Alice, a host of stony-faced playing cards, three wacky party-goers, a Mad Hatter, a smirking Cheshire Cat, and a terrifying Queen of Hearts.
We’re now looking forward to the last week of this first half, which looks like it will be filled with even more magical adventures!
— Claire Peterman and Hattie Shapiro, IB staffers