SUMMER CAMP

I've just finished the second week of Summer Camp here at Indralaya on Orcas Island. The Camp is associated with the Theosophical Society, but instead of lecturing or preaching, their belief is manifested in the general atmosphere of harmony, peace and co-operation flowing through all the programs and in the care and feeding of Campers.

All campers over the age of 9 have "chores". Immediately after meals, it's washing dishes, sweeping, cleaning tables, setting up the coffee service, and my least favorite--pots and pans. My ten year-old grandson was on Lunch Dishes for the whole week of Family Camp, and felt more than a little put upon, but reported early for his duty daily and performed admirably.

At lunch he would use only one plate and either a spoon OR a fork...to cut down on the number of dishes he'd see come through his station. About the second day, while in the buffet line, he admonished me to do the same.

The Camp is "rustic", dates back 80 years. There are 30 or so cabins, from really rustic (no plumbing) to modern (plumbing and heat) are scattered through the woods, some over-looking the Sound. Nights are black and quiet, and the breakfast bell wakes everyone at 7:00 AM. Over a hundred unspoiled acres invite hikes and exploration.

After dinner, the big campfire sends sparks up into the night sky, flooding parents and grandparents with nostalgia, while the youngest campers see magic happening. And of course, no campfire is complete without semi-rehearsed silly skits, amateur talent and old time songs.

No electronic equipment is allowed. Simplicity is the mantra. With only two scheduled activities during the day, it allows for plenty of free time for RR&W. Readin' Relaxin' & Writin'.

Open Arts and Crafts for all ages during the afternoon bring interested creative campers together, with time for chatting, and absorbing oneself in making paper-mache masks or wallets and i-pod holders out of shocking pink, irridescent aqua, black or silver duct tape. Teen-agers learn the art of threading a needle, and four year olds try their hands at embroidering on the Memorial Camp Banner, to be hung in the Dining Hall.

The evening Sock Hop in the big wood-floored TeePee with DJ music from the 60s-70s required painted toe-nails for admission. Probably 100 different bottles of nail polish--colors from black to white to green and blue and purple--were available at tables set up in the late afternoon sun in the meadow next to the TeePee.

Several "manicurists" offered professional application, but my 4 year old grand-daughter would have none of that, and did her own. A different color on each nail, plus stripes. I had to help her on her right hand, as her left hand wasn't quite doing the job.

The Sock Hop was crammed with all ages, dancing to their own particular beat. The four year old danced with utter abandon, while the ten year old, newly self-conscious hesitated at first, then entered gingerly, and finally-a smile and obvious enjoyment. The just-thirteen-year old grand-daughter clotted with girl friends who giggled and danced, and were among the last to go under the lowest bar during the Limbo.

I was a "Townie" both weeks. During Family Camp, my daughter and 3 of my grandchildren stayed at the camp, and I slept in my own soft bed, took warm showers in the morning and then took all my meals at the camp. The second week, YOGA camp was peopled with adults only, and again it was unscheduled except for the two yoga sessions daily. I took Lunch there, enjoying the cameraderie, the mint tea in the afternoons, and once more--the chores.

The Yoga was mellow, non-competitive, but provided a good work-out, leaving us all well-stretched and stronger at week's end. I am so blessed to live on this off-the-beaten track piece of the planet, and even doubly so with this brief immersion in the woods, and the little piece of antiquity (could be called a time warp) that lives on in Campsites such as Indralaya.

Low demand, plenty of freedom, and a limited schedule of activities are the best features (along with the fresh-from-the-garden-all-vegetarian meals), but they ALSO provide much frustration the first couple of days. Moving from a "mainland" morning-to-night programmed life, at first most everyone finds it nerve-wracking! Nervous reactions are like "what are we supposed to be doing now?" The answer comes on about Day Two...."whatever".....or "nothing". There is the gift.

What taxpayer would complain if, instead of funneling billions and billions of dollars to corrupt governments we've never heard of--thousands of miles away--or funding insane programs and bridges that go nowhere....WHAT IF: we just sent every kid to Camp for a couple weeks each summer, maybe from ages 9-12 or 13. "Kids--meet nature. Here's the garden, and how things grow. If you want breakfast, be here by 8AM, and there's the Chore Board. Enjoy!!! Don't forget the Campfire!"

It's got my vote.