Where do we go from here?

Camp is "in progress" - the children are engaged in the many activites....sometimes games, games that require them to think, move and work together - hmmmmm - do video games do that? I suppose on some level. Sometimes the children are on one of Linda's special hikes....and why are these special? because after 7 summers at Earth Connections...and many hikes, she has found away to engage children - a way to get them thinking..analyzing and paying attention.....
Take for instance her graveyard hike - sounds kind of creepy? It's now one of the most popular hikes, as children go to an area of the Hammond Hill forest which is laden with bones - and nearby - what do they discover - but fox dens. But how did the bones get there???? The children put together the clues....and they figure it out. Then many collect some bones - as they recognize the value and use of bones. They see the world through different eyes. Human eyes that once more connect to their natural home, the forest, the streams, the ponds and the fields.
Children watch and partake in making fire using all natural materials and their own sweat. Children gather foods from nature, gardens and animals and help prepare snacks and lunch for the day. Children find out at Camp Earth Connection, that there is a place where adults will tolerate no "put-downs" and every time one person criticizes another person, it will addressed - and challenged and it will be clarified, that our community is to be a safe place for everybody.

I am ever grateful to all the educators who have worked here, and shared in my vision to help make Earth Connections a place where humans can interact in nature - in harmony - and as caretakers.

I am not sure where we go from here - but I do know there is much work to be done - and environmental education is critical at this time for both adults and children. I do have a hard time understanding the denial that seems to still exist within our community and our country as far as the future that our children our facing. For some of us, like myself who is not of native heritage to this country, it is hard to even begin to imagine a way of life which considers their 7th generation before they would think of cutting down a tree, putting up a building or constructing a mega mall. I am scared for my children - and more alarmed for my children's children...and wonder even if I want to see my children having children....as I can almost feel the suffering they may have to endure.

But, I do understand that it is my responsibility to do everything I can to make a difference, whether I believe it will or not. I think of John Lennon's song "imagine" and i know that i am not the only one....
peace
Susan

Camp Director's February Memoirs

It's not too soon to think about summer! Actually Camp Directors like Gardeners tend to do lots of planning during these late winter months, as we envision our programs, develop camp themes and start looking for those special people who will complete the camp "community." As I work diligently with Marty, the web manager,on updating the web page, I continously snag one of my kids.....reading them program descriptions, showing them camp photos and brochure designs, and asking them what would appeal to them.
What else is there to do anyway in February? Other then grab the few moments of sunshine when they appear; force one's self to go to the gym; or maybe get those cross country skis or snow shoes out and hit the trails at Hammond Hill. Of course if you know Linda - our Camp Naturalist and Tracker, then you might re-call that after the snow falls comes prime animal tracking time!
I don't know about you, but I will greet March with gratitude and a warm heart, as it brings the promise that Spring is near.

explorer camp

Photobucket Album

Hello Everyone. Sacred be the Spring. Camp Earth Connections is awakening, and projects are about to begin construction, with the arrival of a Green house in a couple of weeks. A variety of poultry chicks have been ordered, and we welcome our newest educator Kim Jaskula who will take on the responsibilitiues of Farm Manager.

This spring I will celebrate, Eastre, the Teutonic Goddess of Fertility.
"Eastre is also spelt Easter, Ostara and Oestre celebrated at the Vernal Equinox (first day of Spring), approx. 21st March. The Goddess is in her aspect of mother to be. Her symbol is the egg, symbolising fertility in nature and rebirth from the long winter months. The seeds are now sown, ready to grow and ripen. The Goddess is fertile, rich with promise and potential life. (It is from the word "oestre" that we get the word "oestrogen" - the female hormone). To the Saxons she was Ostara, in myth she is said to have amused children by turning her bird into a rabbit, the rabbit then laid coloured eggs much to the delight of the children. Day and night are in balance, the union of the Goddess and young God brings all life into order. She represents the blossoming of new awareness, joy in the new life springing forth from the Earth."
http://www.wiccaweb.org.uk/eastre.html

Enjoy the day! Peace
Susan

Life on Hammond Hill Hello again. I thought I would share a bit about living at Hammond Hill in the Winter. For those of you who know the camp, you know that I live in a cabin on top of the hill. My plan was to move all the camp animals up by my cabin to make it more convenient for me to feed and care for them. But...the chickens and ducks never made it up here. Every day I take a walk down to the camp to bring water to the birds and feed them. Today I was a bit grumpy about it, feeling cold, and wishing I could just sit by my wood stove and be warm (not that I really do that-but I do think about it frequently.) I also remembered I needed to somehow get 100 pound of grain down to the birds. So on went the snow pants and boots and wool hat! I pulled my trusty orange sled over to the truck and loaded the 100lbs of feed; pulled the sled to the top of Hammond Hill Rd, sat on top of both feed bags and zoomed down the hill, feeling quite childlike and remembering why I loved living here! The birds got fed and watered, and as I walked up Hammond Hll Rd and then into my 500 foot driveway...once again I remembered why it is a blessing to live on Hammond Hill. R It was about 5:30 in the evening and the sun had set, leaving a bright orange horizon and a beautiful view of the fields, and the forest. This site never fails to bring tears of gratitude to my eyes. I am so fortunate to be able to live in a place which reminds me of how amazing our planet is, and that I am a part of it. Peace, Susan Visit the Camp Earth Connection web site.

Hi Everyone, We have almost finished the Camp Website, and hope to have it updated and ready to go before the end of the month. So much is new, including this blog, so please be patient as we get it all going. Registering for camp should be easier and secure now with paypal, and we will no longer be taking credit card information over the phone. Spring Camp was a ton of fun last year (with a ton of snow in April) and we hope to see a few more of our regular summer campers this year. And if you haven't heard we are now raising chickens and turkeys for purchase for our camp families. It's been quite a winter hasn't it? One week in the 70's and 2 weeks later....negative 2 degrees F. Of course on Hammond Hill, even when we hit 70 degrees, we still had snow on the ground! I look forward to hearing from you, and hope everyone is staying warm....and enjoying the beautiful sun that was out today. Peace, Susan

Welcome

Welcome to the Earth Connection Talk Blog...