Father Nature, Horse Show, and Awards
Yesterday was the final full day of activities here at camp, and we were able to pack so much in! One of the highlights was the morning’s educational animal program, led by Steve Longenecker. If you have ever been a camper before at Falling Creek, then you know Steve Longenecker. He’s known as “Father Nature,” “the WEMA guy,” “the Snake Guy”, “the Bird Man,” “the Lump Guy,” (for his fried dough Longenecker Lumps) and mostly, SFL. SFL has been part of the Falling Creek community since the 70s, consistently educating boys in wilderness emergency medical aid (WEMA), leading climbing trips, and hosting snake and falconry programs with his birds of prey and snakes.
Our campers love all creatures - creepy, crawly, furry, scaley, etc. - but especially snakes. Because of boys’ tendency to poke around in the woods and catch critters, it is even more important that they are educated on the snakes we have in this area. Boys need to know the risks of snakes, not necessarily because they should be afraid of them, but because they need to know how to identify them and behave around them. During yesterday morning’s educational snake and birds of prey program, Steve Longenecker (SFL), not only taught boys about how to identify snakes and maintain a respectful distance away from them, but he also helped foster the sense of wonder and awe that boys have in their hearts for these creatures.
To teach boys about native venomous and non-venomous snakes in the area, SFL brought a copperhead, a rattlesnake, and a ball python named “The Hulk.” SFL’s goal is to share his knowledge about these animals with the boys, ensuring that they are informed and have an accurate understanding of these creatures. Once the boys are more informed, they can appreciate and respect snakes and other wild animals for the impressive creature that they are, rather than just being terrified of them, or thinking that venomous snakes are inherently bad. They will also be more educated on what to do if they ever encounter a snake on the trail, and know not to pick it up or play with it. SFL leaves his legacy by instilling a sense of wonder in the boys, and sharing his love for the animals that surround us, all while educating and dispelling myths or misunderstandings.
As the boys learned about the rattlesnake and copperhead, SFL clarified a common misunderstanding: thinking that we have native poisonous snakes. If a snake was poisonous, it would harm us if we bit it, but rather we have venomous snakes which could cause harm if we get bit. The two venomous snakes we have in this area are rattlesnakes and copperheads, and SFL brought each so the boys could have a chance to see what they looked like. All the boys marveled at the snakes as SFL spoke. SFL and Carson (Our Betula Linehead and an OSC/Nature counselor) carefully unlocked the box and took the snakes out one at a time with the snake tongs, once they were at a safe distance away from the group. SFL explained the different markings on each, and how you could identify them both. SFL taught how snakes hunt by sensing heat through the pits on their head and smelling with their tongue. Snakes are deaf, yet can feel vibrations and sense heat to help them hunt. Each time a rattlesnake molts, they gain a new link in their tail rattle.
In addition to the snakes, SFL also cares for an Eastern Screech Owl, local to this area but now living under SFL’s care because of a wing injury. 51 boys chose to come to the educational program yesterday morning, opting to join as a special signup during first period to see these creatures up close! To begin, SFL had the boys sit on the grassy knoll next to the library building (which has been named Esefel after him!), and started telling the boys about the animals he was going to show them.
Even with so many boys present, it was very quiet, and the boys waited expectantly in silence as he opened the box housing “Gizmo,” the small female screech owl. SFL has to wear thick falconry gloves to handle birds of prey like Gizmo, since they protect against the sharp talons she has to catch prey. One of Gizzy’s wings droops slightly, and SFL explained that because she had been wounded, she could no longer fly smoothly and silently. The ability to silently hunt is necessary for owls to find their prey, and her inability to do so was the reason she had been brought to a rehabilitation center to help her survive.
This presentation took the full hour of first period, but for the boys it felt like it flew by. They ran off to their next activities for the day, full of new information and a greater appreciation for these creatures.
Another exciting event happening yesterday was the Horse Show, taking place in the Upper Riding Ring! After practicing and riding the horses all month, boys had the opportunity to showcase their horsemanship skills in the ring. They trotted, cantered, and jumped, cheered on by the spectators who came to watch! Mare, the head of the barn, said that she was proud of all the boys’ hard work and perseverance both during the show, and all session long. “What stood out to me was seeing the boys keep going, even if their horses refused a jump or didn’t do something perfectly,” Mare said. She specifically mentioned that Sam had done a great job riding Cruz, and Marshall had been excellent on Joker.
During Main Camp we always have a “Camper/Counselor Tennis Tournament” bracket, where campers pair up with a counselor they choose, and play against each other throughout the session. The goal is to become the last pair standing, but there’s some real talent in the competition! Yesterday was the championship match, with the two finalist teams: Luke B. and counselor Baker Dill, against Charlie F. and counselor Will Weaver. After a strong performance from both teams, it was Charlie and Will who came out victorious!
Finally, before dinner we gathered for the Awards Show, to celebrate the outstanding efforts of the campers. Nuckles was the host, wearing a button down and tie for the occasion! It was a “black tie event”, with clip-on bowties for all the campers and staff to wear, as well as a red carpet that boys receiving their awards walked down. Each activity recognized up to three boys for going above and beyond this session, and the FLINT, STEEL, Ironman participants, Honor Council members, and Journeymen/Keepers of the Flame were also awarded Waypoints. It was great to see all the encouragement, recognition, and celebration the campers gave each other.
We also recognized all 5 or 10 year campers and the Rangers and Warriors in each activity at dinner, which are the highest and second highest levels in the activity progression system. Every boy who earned these progressions or received an award will be noted in the upcoming issue of our annual Grow & Behold magazine!
With today being our last day, you can be sure we’ll be enjoying every moment! This morning we’ll have our final activities, and this afternoon we’ll be playing an all-camp-game created by the STEEL guys. Tomorrow’s blog will tell you all about it!