The morning began with dew-coated grass and people slowly trickling out of their cabins pre wake-up call. Once everyone was awake, we all enjoyed the usual breakfast of potatoes & eggs, (with additional cereal, granola and yogurt for those who preferred that.) All of the traditional morning events happened, morning meeting, check-in, etc, and we sang “Look at what the light did now.” (This was important to mention, it will come back later.)
It has been such a treat as a new camper to learn all of the songs and traditions with the veteran campers and I can’t wait to keep learning more!
Our advisee groups were next, and I can’t speak for everyone, but my group, Brenna’s, was lovely. We played a game to exercise our memory, specifically our memory of each other’s names & voices. We had one person stand in the center and close their eyes, while everyone else shuffled around, reordering themselves to make it more challenging. Then, one by one, we’d say “Hi, (name of person in center)” and they’d have to guess who’s voice it was.
At the beginning, it was quite easy and the people doing the guessing got most, if not all of them correct. Then, we upped the challenge, and started doing silly, out of character voices.
Sully was a victim of being the guesser, and he struggled hard with all of our outrageous voices. Some went to the extreme high end of their range, some went to the lower end, and some added immense vocal fry to increase difficulty, and hilarity ensued.
Next, our first workshop block began! There were a myriad of wonderful workshop options, and it was hard to decide which to do. I ended up hovering around the Henna workshop with Elijah, and I lent some of my extra Henna cones to the group. Lots of beautiful body art was created and it was amazing to see everyone’s choices, whether it be cute animals, swirling abstract designs, or floral-inspired imagery.
Lunch was next, a wonderful stir-fry with peanut sauce. I helped serve it and a lovely lunch led into a lovely Siesta. I took a nap, in an attempt to help with a headache I’d had all day. My nap bled over into the trip to the lake, so unfortunately I missed the opportunity to go to the first lakeside swim-session. Though I missed that block, I did not miss the next workshop block!
I chose to do collaging with Larkin! It was a lovely and fun time, and I made a little collage inspired by my mom. Staff Sydney and Augi were also there! We chatted a lot and made beautiful art and it was really enjoyable. There was also a very popular workshop with Oscar, in which many people painted their nails many brilliant, shiny and metallic colors.
Dinner was baked potatoes which is one of my favorite foods EVER so that was delightful, and once dinner was done, that made way for the evening event which was the VARIETY SHOW!
There were so many wonderful acts, and it was such a blast to see everyone shine doing the things they love. With some of the more hype songs, everyone got up and danced, and it was really beautiful to see the unity and energy throughout the room.
One of the highlights of the show was Leander and his “gang” coming onstage and singing their originally-written parody of “Look at what the Light did now” – renamed to “Look at what the Meow did now.”
By the end everyone was singing along, and a wonderful chorus of “meows” erupted from our small but mighty crowd. And just as we thought the night had concluded, Augi came onstage and said that her talent was not something we could see, or hear…but rather taste. I was puzzled, but quickly figured out that Augi generously made a delicious chocolate cake, topped with whipped cream. After a Code Suds, a line promptly formed in front of the kitchen, and everyone enjoyed their slice of delightful cake.
The night ended with chatter at the lodge slowly quieting through the night, until everyone made their way to their cabins, or to Frida’s to group sleep.
That was my day at Not Back to School Camp and I really hope you enjoyed my perspective on this wonderful day. Thank you for reading!
-Benny R, first year camper
