Great Experience

Week seven! The last and final week of Ecocamp. In the scheme of life it's not that long, but like all great things so much has happened that it feels like forever, and of course forever has passed in the blink of an eye. 

   The last entry I wrote in reference to Eco camp I was on nocturnal camp, but this last week I've been back to a "normal camp schedule." 30 girls, a large cabin, regular meals, long hikes, the whole wonderful, exhausting, exhilarating deal. Of course I've been ridiculously reflective the entire week "this is the last time I'll..." 

   I won't deny it's been a hard summer, and a complete learning curve, take long hours and then extend them and that would be my day, a constant stream of children and no matter how cute or sweet they are there's just a certain point when you feel you can no longer handle a small hand slipped into your own, or tears.... Oh the tears! Yet I have learned so much, gained so much exercising and knowledge from just the everyday life of working in this tight knit community of naturalists, councilors, and children amongst the deep and solemn trees. 

    There was a training session at the beginning of summer one week skimming problems we may encounter, rules and procedures, first aid... That in no way prepares you for the blunt of responsibility demanded from you when you are faced with all those lively and trusting young faces. That mixture of making them safe, happy, keeping them healthy throughout the week. Nothing prepares you and teaches you except the experience of answering their questions, solving their problems petty or serious. 

   It is such an amazing experience and in-between the sleepless nights and problems deemed silly, but solved anyway, there is that joy  of knowing you have created memories for a child, maybe helped them learn something new, there is just such a deep rooted feeling of satisfaction and I know whether or not I return next summer, I know I will value these three weeks deeply for the rest of my life. 

The forest life

It's finally morning, nearly seven am, and hiking home after a night of nocturnal adventures with the latest group of teenagers experiencing this specialized camp. A rich golden glow floods the forest, sending sun rays between the small gaps in the trees somehow managing to light this entire arbor-ous world. The gentle magic of the earlier morn gone leaving that Ernest promise of a new day, although mine will be shrouded in sleep. 

    I apologize for not writing sooner, for not recording every detail of a summer so worthy of being recorded, and yet... While I tried the experience was to intimate, to deeply rooted in the dregs of my heart to share with world until today. It's Thursday not quite the end of the week, but the end of all night hike, that turn where get the kids completely nocturnal.

    I talk about these events matter of fact now, but months ago when this craziness began it was like stepping into a book, an old story. I began to work at Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center, a summer camp for children and teens, the very camp my parents worked decades ago summer after summer, year after year until their eventual marriage. Not sure the exact time line, but I've felt like these woods, this place is such an integral part of who I am as a person and to now work here just a few years younger then my parents when they did. Now the summer is nearly concluded only a week to go, a summer of constant waves of children coming a going, of loud meals I the dining hall, sleep interrupted nice, peace under the trees, sunsets filtering through the forests, late night bonfires, celebrations and outings with coworkers become friends on the weekends. It is defiantly a summer I will never forget whether I come back or not again. 

   Being here has put the rest of my life on hold, a lack of working internet, seclusion from old friends, family, normal activities, an entire life caught up in the present. I moved my horse, Mara here for the summer and spend an hour or two with her each day for my personal sanity. Besides that though life is contained within the friendly hade of forest-camp life, a camp that while exhausting, stressful, a life that takes you and chews you up, still manages to leave you so satisfied with each day, knowing you are doing something right.