I’ve arrived at summer camp!
I wanted to base my work this year on ideas of journeys and peregrenations, with themes of reaching, stretching, exploring and experiencing. What more fitting way to begin than outdoor camp which aims “to encourage growth and foster education through adventure”!
Camp Mondamin is a summer camp for boys, ages 6 to 17. Located in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, the camp emphasizes outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Their goal is to build self-esteem while teaching community living skills, respect for the environment, and a love for the outdoors.
Over the next month I’ll join in daily life at camp, finding ways that my interests in making can contribute to camp activities and outdoor nature trips. My work with the campers will be based in the arts and crafts pavilion- the “craft castle”, where I’ll work alongside to other artists to provide hands-on creative work to compliment outdoor activities. I also plan to design activities suitable for joining out of camp trips and just possibly an overnight back country adventure.
As someone who grew up in the mountains of Colorado, I’ve continued throughout my life to be sustained and artistically inspired by walking through the natural world, and considering how environments shape cultures. I haven’t been to the Southern states previously, so mingling with the community here on the edge of the Appalachian mountains is an opportunity to explore this part of the the country, to and learn a bit about this culture and landscape. I’m in a forested place, full of new verdant, abundant growth. The trees tower upwards, and the forest floor is dense with myriad leaves. A tree with uniquely shaped leaves caught my eye: I learned it is called Sassafrass, and grows three distinct leaf patterns on the same plant, and that the root was used for making root beer soda.
I’ve brought two books along to inspire my thinking: Wanderlust by Rebecca Solent, and The Light Eaters, by Zoe Schlanger. Wanderlust is an exploration of the relationships between thinking and walking and and culture- an ideal companion as I investigate this new territory. The Light Eaters explores scientific research into the biological capabilities of plants. I’m intrigued to find out more about how plants sense and react to their environment world, and to consider new scientific research that considers ways in which plants may be said to communicate.
For the first two weeks I’ll have time to draw and join in activities and learn about the camp community. For the following two weeks, I’ll take on the role of Head of Craft, leading daily artistic sessions
I’ll be writing posts once or twice a week and look forward to sharing news with you!
