The end of the fall semester is almost here, and we’re feeling that bittersweet sensation of the joyous momentum winding down. Watching all the students arrive and connect so quickly now that they’ve had so many weeks to adjust to the arrival transition brings warmth to our hearts.
Our morning circle in Little Field had us listening for the distant call of a hawk, connecting our bodies, minds and hearts to place with our Good Morning Song, with expressions of gratitude accompanied by movements, some funny imitations of owls glaring from trees and bears sleeping in dens and otters sliding through snow, and a game of “What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?”
Our big task for the day was a Fire Challenge. It was quite a task! We split into two groups, one at the central fire pit and one making a new pit by clearing debris from the ground in a broad circle, and arranging a smaller circle of stones. Each group gathered as many wispies (tiny sticks) as they could, put together a tinder-bundle of cattail, dried grass, and shredded bark, and set to work attempting to light with ferrocerium-rods. We’ve all had some practice with these tools by now, but it rained off and on the last two days, so it wasn’t a walk in the park! One group got theirs lit quite quickly, actually, and lit that metaphorical fire underneath the other group. With some meticulous reorganizing of the tinder bundle, including the addition of a little charcloth, and some good coordination between teammates, our second group lit their fire as well.
Both fires were well tended by all campers all the way through lunch! One student was so enthused, they proceeded to make a solo fire (with a little staff help). Making and tending fire is a difficult task, and we strive to instill in students of all ages a respect for fire’s risks as well as an appreciation of its rewards. It’s so encouraging to us to see the Roly Polys commit to the process, and be so responsive to safety directives around the firepit during the lighting and maintenance of our fires. We’re proud of them!
Lunchtime brought a story along with our food, about a girl named Marushka who’s saddled with the absurd task of finding a bouquet of violets, fresh strawberries, and a bushel of apples, in the middle of winter!
After some post-lunch free play time, we said goodbye to those students leaving at 1:00 pm with our closing circle where we shared our favorite parts of the day with one another, before spending an afternoon of aftercare with the Woolly Bears alternating between sitting by the warm fire, and chasing one another in the guise of Ogres and Trolls and Amorphous Blobs.
In Community,
Red Oak and River Otter
December 8, 2022