June Camp Candlelight Campfire
Parents, if you’re reading this blog this morning, you’re likely on your way to pick up your boys from an action-packed three weeks of camp!
We hope you have safe travels to and from camp today - in the meantime, here are some highlights from Thursday, the final day of June Camp!
Frito Pie!
We started with a typical morning, with Rhodes F. (10 year camper, current D.A.S.H. member) leading Morning Watch this time. After Morning Assembly, we had our three morning activity periods. Later on, we were treated to a “camp classic” lunch: frito pie! This meal is so beloved, that often campers and staff will break into song in the dining hall, singing the name “Frito Pie” over and over again using the Star Spangled Banner tune. It’s one of those unexplainable camp things that was started many years ago and continues summer after summer. Everyone returned to their cabins for Rest Hour afterwards, which was extended to allow plenty of time to pack up trunks.
All Camp Game:
In the afternoon instead of regular activities, we got to enjoy an All-Camp-Game together! We played Deep Woods Capture the Flag, and there was plenty of excitement as it was both the last All-Camp-Game of the June session, as well as the final chance to earn Green and Gold points.
During Free Choice time before dinner, boys were able to help cook (and eat!) Longenecker Lumps, which are warm, fried, doughnut balls covered in cinnamon sugar. Alumni will be familiar with this tasty tradition, but if you want to learn the history (or the recipe!) you can read this blog.
Dinner was a delicious homemade meal of chicken tikka masala over rice, with naan bread and hummus, and a cucumber tomato salad.
Campfire:
Thankfully, the rain cleared in time for Campfire, and we were able to gather together by the lower lake once again, to reflect on all the memories from a great session. As this was the final one, everyone brought an Ebenezer rock to add to the wall leading to Campfire. Every Ebenezer rock has been placed by a single person during their final Campfire, and serves as a physical reminder for each camper and staff member of the contributions, memories, and experiences they have had during the session. This meandering stone wall reminds us, too, of the spirits of all those who have been part of the Falling Creek Camp community – past and present.
There was a new tradition added this time, where each Cabin Line brought flags with their Line crest on them. Each boy had made their mark on the flags with paint, and the flags will continue to fly in their respective Line Huts as a symbol of the boys who made up that group.
During Campfire, we enjoyed skits, songs, and finally the candle lighting ceremony. The first candle is lit from the central campfire, and spreads from there, person to person. Each boy lights his candle from another, symbolizing the individual light we hold, and how it costs us nothing to share our light with others.
Once all the candles are lit, we walk out to encircle the upper lake, with glowing candles reflecting off the surface of the water. It’s a beautiful sight, and an evening that many campers and staff think back on fondly. To finish, we sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” followed by the first verse of Taps: “Day is done, gone the sun, from the lakes, from the hills, from the skies. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.”
We are so thankful for the individual light that each of these boys brought to this session, and are grateful that you chose to share your sons with us. We look forward to reconnecting with you this morning in-person as you pick up your boys!
