I had the absolute pleasure of joining the Full Moon Camp and Back to the Earth this week at Arnot Forest. We marched through the woods, rolled in the grass, ate under the stars and sang together. As camp went on, I witnessed kids gain confidence and friendship in the beauty of the Arnot woods. We explored sports, games, arts, archery, and more!
Counselors Payton and Gwen taught some fantastic naturalist art techniques this week. Campers bound books of paper they made, with cordage they created! They learned to craft their own ink and paintbrushes from pine needles, onion skins, and twigs. None of this would have been possible without some brave fire tenders who helped keep the fires lit with bellowing fire breaths all week long. Counselors Jay and Maxwell taught us about bird calls and we played improv games in the spirit of the animals we learned about.
I also joined for 3 delicious meals! Campers were ecstatic over custom ice cream sundaes, burgers over the fire, and much requested grilled cheeses.
At any spare moment, kids broke out into games of tag, uno, and songs. By the end of the week campers felt confident enough to lead the whole camp in “repeat after me songs” and came up with new verses to old classics.
Counselors got into character as trolls on Wednesday night to play Crow Spirit, a Primitive Pursuits favorite. The night was lit up by screams and laughter as all the campers ran from troll counselors trying to find Jay, our hidden crow spirit.
Wednesday night after crow spirit, the older Full Moon campers ventured out into the woods without flashlights. Dawning drums, a lyre, and thumb piano we played songs to the trees and enjoyed the night forest. The campers went to a “sit spot” where you listen to the sounds of the forest followed by an unforgettable glow stick party in the dark. Sleeping in Thursday morning of course!
On Thursday, campers got up to all kind of fun activities. In the forest, campers got to carve their own atlatls, a throwing stick. They scavenged for the proper sticks and got to work into customizing them! In the morning, they went to the front field with instructors Rey and Rachel to practice archery using homemade bows and arrows. Despite the heat, the campers were very excited and did a great job. Gwen and Peyton led the group through making their own artwork using natural paint made of turmeric! When baked in the sun, it changed color! 
On Thursday night, campers braved “Mission Impossible” a hidden flag game where once again campers triumphed over all the counselors. It was so special to see how the kids banded together, supporting each other under the full moon. Camp ended with a huge camp out together under the stars. But before we adjured to our camp out, Counselor Rey lead us all in my favorite special camp song-
“I wanna linger a little longer here with you. It’s such a perfect night; it doesn’t seem quite right that I should end my time with you. And come September, I will remember my camping days and friendships too. And as the years go by, I’ll think of you inside. This is goodnight and not goodbye. “
Friday morning, campers went to the Hemlocks with instructors Gwen, Julia, and Jay to make their own boats and give them a proper send off down the creek (lighting them on fire and then dunking them in water)! The campers had to practice their fire techniques of different structures and materials in order for their boat to light and sail. In the forest on the other side of camp, a group led by Peyton and Maxwell connected with the trees by spending quiet moments in the shade and meeting with the Forest Wizard who led them through a game of Keeper of the Keys.
Thank you campers for this week. And I will cherish the fun I had with you all under the stars.
