Sense of Wonder

Carter and I heard a commotion last night as we walked home from the office. It was after dark, hard to discern where it was coming from. Then we saw the flashlight beams dancing about from behind a rock wall. The rock wall that separates and retains the road from Wolf Cove and Eagles Nest. As we got closer we heard laughter and screams. Trace, a counselor, and a number of boys crouched, almost hidden from road’s view, on the other side of the wall from us. The boys had cornered a huge bull frog. One camper “petted” it (he did wash his hands before he brushed his teeth!). One camper insisted he’d found a bigger one the night before. And several begged Trace to keep it as the cabin “pet”. Trace assured them that the best thing for the frog would be to let it hop along it’s way, there’d be many more to be seen.

Of course, this scene could take place at home, on a summer night in the neighborhood, and most certainly does. But I’m not sure how often, given the lure of the screen. And I’m not opposed to screens! We have quite a few in our life, probably too many. And I know it’s good to take a break sometimes. I know it is for me, and for our girls. Enter camp. And a gift you are giving them to chase real bull frogs for a few nights rather than virtual bad guys on a screen.

This morning after breakfast John Crum, head of wilderness, delicately held a small tupperware. Inside were two tiny tree frogs, probably 1/10th the size of the bull frog. Someone had caught these two and donated them to wilderness. They were fascinating with their long skinny webbed feet stuck like glue to the side walls of the plastic. John created a terrarium for them where they’ll be well taken care of and all of the boys taking wilderness can admire them.

Speaking of wilderness, boys attended their first 3 activities this morning before lunch, wilderness being one of quite a few getting started. John Crum and his staff took the nature seekers on a hike down the Rabbit Run trail. Rabbit run meanders along the river, mostly parallel. On the opposite side of the trail from the river are rock formations, even cave like overhangs in some places. It’s a beautiful trail surrounded by tall trees as well as thickets of mountain laurel and rhododendron.

My mother in law, Alice, has always encouraged boys at camp to discover God’s creation, in small and large places. We want boys to develop a sense of wonder, a phrase we use often, taken from a book by Rachel Carson of the same name. In fact, Alice gives a much loved speech to staff during training encouraging them to instill this wonder in their campers. She quotes Carson, “ If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitment, and mystery of the world we live in.”

So there’s my plug for our Wilderness class! They’ll build fires, debris shelters, and learn how to orient with a compass before the term is over, among other adventures. I hope to give you little glimpses into other activities as the term goes along.

This afternoon boys attended periods 4 and 5 after lunch, rest hour, and a quick snack at the store. Lunch, by the way, consisted of pot roast (very tender, pulling apart with a fork almost like pulled pork), boiled new potatoes with rosemary, steamed carrots with a bit of brown sugar mixed in, and cornbread. Also at lunch each day the kitchen serves a salad bar. Mixed lettuces and spinach serve as a base. Toppings include grated carrots, sliced peppers, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, sliced onions, croutons, craisins, sunflower seeds, and several varieties of dressing. It’s optional but available to anyone. They also serve Uncrustable PB&J packaged sandwiches to boys who might be a bit picky. And of course, we identify peanut allergies ahead of time - if boys at their table want PB&J they sit at opposite ends or a different table.

Thanks for reading and good night for now, Glenn