Cool Critters in Week 5! 

  There were some exciting camps happening at Primitive Pursuits this week including Archer’s Apprentice and Luna’s Rising! The Archer’s Apprentice group is a camp that only happens for one week out of the summer where campers can build their own longbow and arrow. Luna’s Rising is another camp that only occurs once out of the summer where young women can develop their skills and bond in a safe space. 

On Monday, campers got to know each other by playing games and starting the activities for the week. Archer’s Apprentice started their week off by carving down small trees to make their longbow. On Tuesday, they started making arrows that they got to carve themselves! By the end of the week, they had functioning longbows built naturally! Multiple groups practiced fox walking, a skill in which you walk quietly and observe your surroundings. A few groups including Archer’s Apprentice and the Forest Explorers played a game called Keeper of the Keys in which someone is blindfolded and has to keep their ears tuned to hear people approaching them. Keeper of the Keys puts fox walking skills to the ultimate test. 

Tuesday afternoon brought thunderstorms, so groups stayed busy under the Pole Barn. Some groups played Gaga Ball, and others played games. Archer’s Apprentice group and Advanced Wildcrafting both opted to work on their carving projects. With every group in the Pole Barn, energy was high! Different activities were happening in every corner. 

On Wednesday, Arnot Forest camp played a few games of “find the tree,” where one partner is blindfolded and the other has to lead them to a tree that they later find their way back to with no blindfold. I played a round for the first time and it was really fun; I found my tree on the first try! In the afternoon, campers trekked down to the creek where they looked for cool finds. Instructor PJ found a fossil rock and instructor Rey found a moth wing. One camper brought his own metal detector, which was a magnet on a string, which worked to find some natural iron.

A camper with his metal detector 

On Thursday, Growing Wild spent the morning practicing their climbing skills and looking for critters in the mud. One camper showed me the little bridge they had worked on that week! In the Pole Barn, Archer’s Apprentice made some great progress on their bows. Campers started carving notches to string their bows. At White Pine camp, Forest Village started building fairy houses. 

This week, Luna’s Rising spent time bonding and creating a community. Throughout the week, they painted on a few banners that were hung over Luna Lodge, which is the structure where they spent Thursday night. The paint was made out of materials like egg yolk and clay! On Thursday night, the campers made a feast with dessert, told stories, and sang songs. Campers in Luna’s Rising grow together to express their artistic skills, make crafts, and more. 

Groups finished up the week by having a fun Friday! The Pathfinders got to have fun treat after lunch; they made chocolate chip and berry pancakes at Hearth Camp and made pine tea! Advanced Wildcrafting finished up their projects at Muskrat Camp. In the meadow, Archer’s Apprentice group used their newly crafted bows to shoot at targets. 

A Growing Wild camper with instructor Nora

Photo Gallery - July 29 - August 2, 2024 

Photos by Hallie Allport