Week 2 was all about community. Monday morning, groups headed to their sites to begin the first day of camp. The Purple Finches, led by Rowan, Gwen, and Ida, started off strong at Beaver Camp. The campers got to see Beaver Pond, where the instructors taught the campers how to spot the evidence that beavers had once been there. The campers then got the opportunity to get creative while building when tasked with crafting fairy houses and gnome huts.
On Tuesday, Forest Sports group had fun in the heat hanging out in the Meadow and Turkey Knoll. Most campers played a game of soccer in the Meadow, while a few campers worked on building a large hut in Turkey Knoll. Instructor Maya carved some tree bark to add more shade to the hut. Not far away at Hearth Camp, the Primitive Cafe group made a tasty soup for lunch that consisted of chicken and dumplings. For dessert, they poured brownie batter in orange-peel shells to cook brownies over the fire.
Wednesday was the hottest day of the week, but that did not stop campers from enjoying their time outside! Growing Wild spent the morning doing face paint and wearing costumes to dress as their favorite animal. They then got some energy out by climbing up the hill and exploring the camp. At the Front Hemlocks, Gender Creative camp spent the morning on an art project to leave a creative touch on the forest. Instructor Blue led them through some fun games like reverse charades. Forest Village and the Yellow Warblers had fun in the Meadow playing Capture the Flag. In the afternoon, Forest Village cooled off in the Front Hemlocks and the Yellow Warblers got some shade in the Pole Barn playing Gaga Ball.
![forestsports3](https://primitivepursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/forestsports3-scaled.jpg)
Forest Sports playing soccer in the Meadow
![gw8](https://primitivepursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/gw8-scaled.jpg)
A camper from Growing Wild enjoying the costumes
This week was the first week of overnight camp at the Arnot Forest. The campers spent Thursday building shelters in the Hemlocks and carving stone. Some shelters were made for fairies and others for gnomes, but all of them looked amazing! The campers get to really immerse themselves in the outdoors at Arnot, having the opportunity to sleep in tents or cabins. Some misty rain left a sparkling effect on the grass, making the Arnot Forest camp look even more mystical.
Overhead at Arnot Forest Camp…
Camper #1
Awww I really wish I could stay another week!
Camper #2
It’s only day 3!
![arnot24](https://primitivepursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/arnot24-scaled.jpg)
Campers from Arnot Forest carving
![wc1](https://primitivepursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/wc1-scaled.jpg)
Instructor Francesca making pizza with a camper
The last day of camp at 4-H Acres this week was a fun and energetic one. A few groups, including the Pathfinders and the Wildcrafters, spent Friday as “Fun Food Friday” and made some delicious treats. The Pathfinders made banana boats filled with chocolate chips and marshmallows, and the Wildcrafters made pizza! Forest Sports took a different route and spent the week building their own Gaga ball pit at Old Bow Camp. There are now 2 Gaga Ball pits at 4-H!