Both new and returning staff joined together for staff training week to kick off the ’25 summer season. Starting Monday, everyone joined together at 4-H Acres to see old faces and meet new ones. Monday is perhaps the most magical day of staff training, where staff gets to see what its like to be a camper. In the morning, we headed to Coyote Camp to practice our fox walking skills in the Hemlocks. We then applied our fox walking to a game where we had to sneak around without being heard. In the afternoon, we went to Trillium camp to practice our plant-identifying skills and make nettle tea. We ended our day singing one of my favorite camp songs about being humble in nature. Despite this being my second summer and having more of an inkling of the next activity, none of the magic and excitement faded. 

On Tuesday, we started off at Cedar Camp to lead each other to trees using our senses. We also started practicing with our fire making stills, lead by Instructor and fire wizard Sean. We used the technique of friction fire to create hot coals that we nurtured into some tinder to create flames. After lunch, we did stations where we learned about varieties of important information about important camp locations and protocols. 

Wednesday started off with a fun freeze-tag game before splitting off into groups. Groups practiced stone-drilling, cordage, and making hoops of peace out of willow bark. As groups did stone drilling, instructor Lyla told a story. The energy was very peaceful as we listened to Lyla and worked on our stone drilling. Primitive Pursuits veteran Sol was kind enough to create little smoky fires to keep away the mosquitoes. Thank you Sol! The cordage and stone drilled rocks come together to create a necklace. In the afternoon under the red oak, camp leadership Rachel, Fionna, and Rey taught us about risk management.

On Friday, we had our tradition of making a large friction fire at Turkey Knoll, led by Sean and our Mentors-In-Training, as well as our teen assists. Seasoned camp staff members Monica, Sean, Danielle, Liz, Lyla, Melissa, Rachel, and Fionna shared stories and personal connections to the camp after founding director Jed told us the origins of the camp. After, we played games in the meadow. The Friday of staff training week is always a very magical and emotional day as we acknowledge the connections and history we make here at camp. We finished the week strong with roots planted in our sense of community. 

Photo Gallery – June 23 to June 27 – Hallie Allport