Dear Treetops Families,
As I walked from Senior Camp to the Junior Camp tent line last night, yellow leaves peppered my path, and it hit me that our summer together is drawing to a close. We’ve had a notably sunny, hot, and dry summer, though this morning’s cool temperatures, as Junior Camp took their final Polar Bear swim of the season, hinted that the cooler fall season is nearing. The gardens also tell of the changing seasons, as we harvest beans, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes that have been so lovingly tended by our farmers, campers, and staff over these summer weeks.
Last week ended with the celebrated return of our five-day trips. Friends and counselors greeted the trippers enthusiastically with hugs, cheers, and homemade signs commending them on their huge accomplishments. With our whole community back together again, we’ve taken the opportunity to relish our last days together, and celebrate the special Treetops family that we’ve built this summer season. Though the traditions, routines, and activities may be the same from summer to summer, we cherish the special bonds we’ve created and the unique community we’ve built here this summer.
Our week kicked off with the Bean Carnival, a Sunday afternoon event with various stations and activities for the campers to enjoy, including a tidal wave dunk station, slip-and-slide, gladiator, and multiple lawn games, as well as the very popular sock wrestling station. Campers wandered from station to station, stopping by the Pavilion along the way to sample fruit smoothies, crafted by the Supers. It’s a fun and celebratory afternoon, much anticipated by campers and counselors alike, and a fitting way to jumpstart our last week together.
Our final trips of the season, the Idiot Trips, departed in the wee dark hours of the morning on Tuesday. Skilled paddlers and hikers took on huge challenges: whether multiple peaks, 20+ miles of hiking, or numerous waterways to navigate; they were adventuring from dawn to dusk and returned home to campus safely under the cover of night, exhausted, relieved, and elated to find a warm meal ready for them.
This week, we also had the opportunity to recognize and celebrate all of the work we’ve done on the farm this summer. On Thursday, Farm Fest kicked off with a parade of our campers on barn chores and their animals: horses lovingly groomed and adorned with flowers. Campers on the honeywagon work-job rode in wheelbarrows, those on the hay, grain, and barnyard work-job carried a haybale and grain bag – a true feat of strength, and campers tending the smaller animals carried chickens, and rode with the turkeys in a garden cart.
Post-parade, campers had the opportunity to sample fresh snacks from numerous garden stations: wood-fired pizza, garden sushi, scallion pancakes, or various pickled garden vegetables and dips. Campers played cornhole, tried their hand at throwing hay bales, or made flower crowns. At our closing ceremony, awards were given to the campers who dedicated much time, energy, and commitment to the farm this summer. Recipients received golden garlic, golden bones, golden forks, golden grain cans, and golden horseshoes for their hard work ethic and positive attitudes.
The Harvest Banquets in each camp— made of all farm foods: our own pork, green beans, potatoes, and special desserts featuring berries from the garden—emphasize the interconnectedness of our life on this land. Our daily food scraps feed the pigs that we raise for meat; our many hours of picking potato bugs result in healthy plants and delicious spuds for us to eat; our work in the garden rows, weeding, composting, and harvesting yields the fruits of our labor on our dinner plates. Our dining rooms are decorated with fresh farm flowers; tables are dressed with linens and adorned with candles, and campers wear their nicest outfits to celebrate this special meal. Post banquet, campers made their way to the beach where they were serenaded by our talented musicians as they swung their partners, promenaded, and do-si-doed in the sand during the last square dances of the summer, the pastel hues of the setting sun as their backdrop.
As I watched the campers this week, so comfortable in their friendships, so joyful in their daily activities, and so confident in their routines, I reflected on how truly special it is that we have this time together. Here, children have the freedom to immerse themselves in nature: the early morning wake-up of birdsong; the clear skies and millions of stars they see at night; the refreshing feel of jumping into a mountain lake; the awe-inspiring view from a High Peak, and the quiet satisfaction of starting the morning by caring for an animal or harvesting carrots while the early morning sun clears the mists from the mountains.
At Treetops, we have the time, the space, and the surroundings to relish in these simple pleasures. Free from the noise of the outside world, it is such a gift and a joy to be able to share this magical place and this special time with your children. Thank you for being part of our Treetops family.
With love and gratitude,
Hannah Edwards
Camp Treetops Director