Dearest Tamarack 1 families,
Among the mudslides and the abundant insect activity, misty mornings and overflowing streams, campers gathered this week for a deepening of skills and an exploration of food and cooking.
Groups are making spoons and bowls by burning out the middle and carving the wood around them to use as utensils for meals. Others are getting very familiar with the textures of mud and clay in the stream. A rocket stove is being constructed and multiple complex fire challenges have been put to the test. Groups are also prepping for strong, hot fires by collecting hardwood that will be dried out before Friday. Mushrooms are everywhere, and field guides have been consulted to try to identify them. Running games have been a thrill and sit spots have been a great balance to them!
We have also begun making a large Cob oven, big enough to bake bread and pizza in. Most likely, the project will not be finished this week due to wet temperatures, but so far we have a beautiful base made out of rocks, mortar, and sand. We also added some glass bottles for added insulation. Next step is to create a dome and two layers of clay, straw, and sand mix as insulation on top.
So far, many conversations about where families are from and the origins of some of the foods people eat have come up. Lots of riddles are being solved every day with great joy, including some edible plant identification. Every day, campers are learning about a new plant that is edible, its look-a-likes, and how to safely forage for food. This will serve us well on Friday when we will be using some simple campfire cooking techniques and wild edibles for our feast. Campers will be feasting in small groups and preparing some unique dishes with simple ingredients.
Please send your camper with the following items on Friday:
- 1 or 2 veggies that are easy to cut and stick onto a skewer
- 1 large (or 2 small) potatoes
- Optional: one more ingredient that comes from a family favorite dish
Parents can arrive early on Friday for a camp tour from 6:00–7:00 pm!
Thank you for sharing your children with us!
—Julie Kunz, Tamarack Director, and the staff