Over the last couple of days camp transformed into a bustling hub of movement, activity, and laughter. Around every turn there is a group of campers and counselors engaged in the countless programs, activities, and games here at camp.
For me, I’ve been dedicating most of my time to Ockanickon, partly because of my involvement in this summer’s newest camp activity, woodworking, but mostly because that is where my heart is.
Just in the past few minutes, as our woodworking group walked back from the Ockanickon Nature Cabin we watched the Stockwell Explorers and Matolly Algonquins engaged in both low elements and high elements on the challenge course. The Seneca boys were busy filling their water bottles before heading out to join in on the fun at the challenge course. The Mohawks gathered together to begin their first Boating period of the session while the Oneida’s split their time between Nature and Archery. Roger was already pitching to the Algonquins in a game of Cricketball (a marraige of baseball and cricket). And finally, right as we made our pass through the villages, John Levinson was entertaining a group of Cherokees with some riddles right before their Art period began.
On the woodworking end of things, some of our Oneidas and Mohawks have been hard at work in the endeavor to create our very own walking sticks. Yesterday, after selecting the lumber, we began by learning the safe use of whitling knifes, along with how to use a wood file and a hand saw. Everyone has dedicated some extra time to making sure their walking sticks come out great and it looks like tomorrow, after some good sanding, most of us will be ready to apply the first coat of stain.
In just over an hour, the Ocky boys are all going to head for showers, put on their best camp tuxedo, grab some dinner, and then head to down to Matolly for the first dance of the summer!
Happy Camping!
Dave Kaubin