South Shore Journal

Beyond Fun and Fresh Air

 
They don’t always recognize it, but it’s there. They don’t always understand it, but someday they will. Who are “they”? Our summer campers – the great cast of characters that bring a blend of emotions and energy to each camp day. This past season, most were return campers, some back for a second year, while others approached veteran status by returning for a third, even fourth. For many, this summer marked their first ever camp experience (Go Little Look-Abouts!). Others came to the North River Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time. They ranged in size, shape, and age. Some told horrible knock-knock jokes. Many had special talents. All had distinct personalities. Combined with an eclectic bunch of counselors, a unique group dynamic was formed each week. 

 
What campers are not fully aware of yet though is that camp is more than just going on hikes and playing games. Hidden in the shadows of daily camp experiences are opportunities for them to increase their self-confidence, develop leadership skills, and practice good decision-making. Some found the opportunity by volunteering to read the camp pledge, some picked up trash that didn’t belong to them, and others worked cooperatively to build a stick fort. Of course, group dynamics were not always balanced and disappointing behavior did occur – no camp runs that smoothly! In an effort to foster character building, we recognize positive behavior, but also call attention to inappropriate conduct, especially in regards to respect. The camp setting provides a safe environment in which campers can learn from the choices they make. 

 
Clearly, providing outdoor opportunities and educating children about nature is one of the main goals of our camp programs.  But the real value of our camp may be found in helping campers be part of something bigger than themselves – a caring camp community.  For many campers, this experience has been made possible through our Camp Scholarship Fund.  If your child has had a memorable time at camp, teach them about caring for what we value by making a donation to our Camp Scholarship Fund.  Help extend our camp community and provide families in need of assistance the same opportunities for their children. 

 
Thanks again to all our campers for a wonderful summer. It was great to meet all the new campers and we took comfort in seeing all the returnees. Keep spreading the good word and we’ll see you back next year!

Amy “Twig” Quist
Camp Director

The 'Hunk and the 'Kese

 
The ride out along the Elizabeth Island chain is half the fun, if you ask me.

 
We take the Venture Inn II with Ocean Quest, from the waterfront in Woods Hole, and wind our way down towards Tarpaulin Cove, on the Vineyard Sound side.

 
There we find the ancient lighthouse, and the cove where ships' masters ordered their men to get to "tarpawling" their vessels, making them watertight - hence the name.

 
Then it's through Quick's Hole, where the Scottish highland cattle can be seen grazing on Nashawena Island. They proved to be more sturdy than sheep when the coyotes came calling on the islands.

 
Our first stop is on Penikese Island, home of Massachusetts' short-lived leprosarium, now mostly a bird sanctuary.

 
We visit the colony's cemetery to meet the 14 patients who died here, always a poignant and sobering moment.

 
And then, after an hour or so on Penikese, it's off to Cuttyhunk, where the striped bass has always been king.

 
We walk the lonely road to Lookout Hill, laid out to lead to the home of a young man who died in a car accident before that home could be built.

 
We dodge the golf carts along the way, the primary mode of transportation on the island.

 
And enjoy the view from the top, 167 feet above the sea on which we just rode.

 
Before we know it, the day is over, and it's time to head for the mainland. But there's nothing like island time, whether you're on it now, or have memories of what it was like when you were there. Nothing in the world.

We Made it to the Sun

 
Adventure? Well, I guess it depends on your definition of the word. But I'll tell you one thing. Our recent trip to northwest Montana was more than an excursion, and heck of a lot more than a journey.

 
From the moment we left the airport in Kalispell and the wild horses charged down the street at us, we knew we were in for a good week.

 
The rodeo that night in Columbia Falls told us we weren't in eastern Massachusetts any more.

 
Sunrise the next morning at Logan Pass, after a long drive up the Going-to-the-Sun Road, was spectacular.

 
So thought the bighorn sheep.

 
And the mule deers.

 
And the mountain goats.

 
And the glacier lilies.

 
We constantly ran into the jammers as they drove their red buses up and down the mountains...

 
...as we stopped wherever we could find something interesting to photograph.

 
We never lacked in that department, especially at Lake McDonald...

 
...where sunsets were sublime...

 
...and sunrises were even better.

 
Some of us felt right at home in the woods...

 
...especially on the Avalanche Lake Trail.

 
American Dippers entertained us...

 
...as did the moose that stood alongside the trail to Lake Josephine...

 
...and the one that swam across the lake in front of our boat.

 
We ate like the locals.

 
We spent a night in a tipi in Blackfeet territory, at the Lodgepole Gallery and Tipi Village.

 
We avoided the grizzlies...

 
...but were armed just in case.

 
On a last day whim we visited the National Bison Range...

 
...and found the stars of the show...

 
...not to mention a black bear eating huckleberries...

 
...pronghorns and much more.

 
So did we find adventure in Montana?

 
According to my definition, we sure did.