Scamp Spirit FALL 2023
Dear Aloha 2023, We often talk about the Club Summer as the pinnacle year of camp — when a group of people come together and commit to spending seven weeks moving out of the camper role and into the leader-in-training space. My Club Summer was in 2002 (I know, I’m ancient)! I was nervous for it, but also, I was ready to take on something bigger.
I had always been a well-rounded kid and when I was asked to select a department to apprentice in, I didn’t know what to choose. I did some ranks but never really focused in on one department. Nonetheless, pretty much from process of elimination, I requested to do my apprenticeship in Landsports.
That year, I had an awesome tent family right in the middle of Club Hill and we were an eclectic mix of people. Every morning, when reveille blew, my tentmate Jordan would screech, “NO, NO, NO!” at the top of her lungs, pulling a pillow over her head. And every day, we laughed and forced her to get up and make it to breakfast on time.
The department offered a running program, something I always aspired to be good at, so I decided to focus on it more seriously. There was a mileage chart we would mark off each time we got back from a run. Right off the bat, I found myself self-limiting with comments like: “I’m so bad at running,” comparing myself to others: continued on page 2
IN THIS ISSUE...
Letter from the Director ........................................................ 1 Only Green Shorts in the Hale • A Podcast.................................. 3 Choosing Curiosity ............................................................. 3 Rainbows on the Water .........................................................4 What Do You Like Best About Yourself at Camp?.........................6 Important Camp Dates, 2024................................................8
Continued from page 1…
“[So and so] is such a natural,” and demanding perfection from the outset. Luckily, that summer’s Landsports department benefitted from Dana Chapin, a counselor I looked up to greatly. In her easygoing way, Dana helped me turn down the volume on my unhelpful stories and stay focused. She had me set small goals — like reaching another tree ahead of me and setting a pace I could sustain. Over time, these small adjustments made a big difference. I felt stronger and more confident in myself. With this support, I decided to set a big, scary goal for myself: running 100 miles during my Club Summer. It flipped a switch in me — for probably the first time in my life, I had to plan in advance to get enough miles in. I had to show up, rain or shine. I had to forgo free time and other things to knock off two more measly miles. But with consistency, they all added up. In time, Lanakila caught on and whoever was sitting on the front porch cheered each time I ran by. My Club showed up over and over to run with me. And when I finally ran back to Aloha to complete my last mile, the whole camp was there cheering. It was incredible.
When Aloha is doing what it does best, the entire community lifts you up and celebrates you — not so much for the achievement itself, but rather for the determination, grit and most importantly, for daring to make your dream a reality. This experience helped me understand that dreaming big is brave, because in a way it is saying, “I am betting on myself.” It doesn’t always feel like self-confidence, but rather it’s the faith in knowing that you have done hard things before, and you can do them again. I saw this in big and small ways throughout the summer of 2023: people going for ranks (first ranks all the way up to high ranks), trying out for Legally Blonde, putting a piece of work in the art show or auction, and performing at Aloha Entertains. I saw it when two Clubbers had a fun idea for an evening program that became an epic night (with plenty of tug-of-war hilarity). I saw it when people came to me with suggestions of how to make things feel even better at Aloha. It’s what ultimately led to me applying to become your director. It is what I hope Aloha’s support can continue to unleash and nurture within each of you, inside and outside of camp. So, what is your 100 Mile dream? Take a moment to imagine yourself accomplishing it — how that feels and what possibilities it opens. I encourage you to bet on yourself this year and remember that we, Aloha, are behind you, betting on you too. I hope that I’ll get to see you at camp next summer, because now that I’m back I am hooked and feeling totally campsick! Aloha,
Aloha camper reading in her cabin in 1937 (NOT Char!)
Charlotte Messervy Director of Aloha
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CHOOSING CURIOSITY
“I chose curiosity by trying out crew this summer; it is a new thing for me and it was very fun.”
This past summer we talked about choosing curiosity at camp. Are you still choosing curiosity at home? We asked some of you how you chose curiosity at Aloha — this is what you had to say!
Ada Lewis, Pines
“I chose curiosity this summer by swimming the gravel pit. Although swimming was my favorite department last summer, I had never taken it seriously enough to do lake swims or ranks. I never knew I could do anything like that. By choosing curiosity I discovered a side of myself I didn’t know I had. I will definitely be doing more lake swims next summer!”
“I decided to choose curiosity by taking on the role of department head this summer. While this came with its own challenges and learning experiences, I am so glad I did it. I learned so much about Aloha’s history and gained a deeper appreciation for what it means to be a counselor. Most importantly, I got to meet some truly exceptional campers who made my experience as a department head special. I’m so excited to use what I learned to make next summer in the Art Barn even better!” Amanda Lancaster, Head of Arts & Crafts
Livi Britt, Crossroads
“I chose curiosity by coming to Aloha because I was not sure I wanted to go but I did and now I love it here.” Ella Ryan, Crossroads
“I was always very curious when new activities were announced. There was one activity called “Horseona” ...how can you not be curious about finding out what that is? So glad I did, it was so much fun, I will probably remember it forever. I was the only camper that turned up as it was a crazy hot day and everyone was on the waterfront, but a group of counselors turned up too, we laughed so much, so glad I was curious about it!”
“I chose curiosity at Aloha this summer by diving into every activity and event full throttle, even when I knew I was outside of my comfort zone. More broadly, I was curious and trusted my gut to come back for my second summer, and it was the best decision I ever made. I can’t wait for summer 2024!”
Tiggy Malheiro, Pines
Rhys Donnelly, Landsports Counselor
Only Green Shorts in the Hale
top-rated true crime podcast from the 05045, with hosts, Cher Missouri & Flye Squadron
Episode 1: The Case of the Lost Jibbit A croc, no feet to be seen. Color: Bone. Size: 8 and a half. Holes exposed, naked, vulnerable. Dirt covers every inch of the shoe besides a clean outline, at the space right overtop the big toe. A shape reveals the remnants of something strangely shaped. Something irreplaceable. Something unthinkable to lose: a Jibbit from her tentmate last year. A canoe paddle Jibbit with a grip that broke off after she tripped on her Crawford last year.
One must wonder — who took this priceless heirloom? Where and when did this wrongdoing occur? What was the motive behind such a heinous crime? And how would the accessories on Netta Boggs’ crocs ever be in balance again?
Stay tuned as we answer these questions and more on Only Green Shorts in The Hale…
Scamp Spirit • FALL 2023
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RAINBOWS!
It sure was a wet summer with lots and lots of liquid sunshine! But we didn’t let it get us down! Sometimes the best memories and stories come out of things going not quite as expected. Like… a rainbow in the sky after the downpour. That got us thinking… check out what we learned about rainbows!
• A rainbow is actually a complete circle, not an arc. From the ground, we only see a semi-circle. From a plane, it’s possible to see a completely circular rainbow!
• H awaii sees the most rainbows of any place on earth! In fact, one nickname for Hawaii is The Rainbow State.
• T he average rainbow is observable for under an hour.
The world’s longest-observed rainbow was located high in the mountains of Taipei, Taiwan in 2017. It lasted for 8 hours and 58 minutes, 6:57 am until 3:55 pm.
• A “moonbow” is a rare lunar or nighttime rainbow that
is produced by light from the moon. All of the colors are present, but our eyes see it as white.
Only Green Shorts in the Hale 1: The Case of the Lost Jibbit, Part 2 To everyone else, it was just a normal Wednesday. But Netta limped down the hill to Garden supper, Jibbitz weight distribution completely off balance.
Lexie, shocked and confused, defends her honor, saying, “These Jibbitz were passed down from my great grandmother and haven’t been redistributed on my crocs in years!”
As Lexie Seidel got up to make announcements, Netta saw an outline she could never forget. A canoe paddle. A croc sized canoe paddle.
Netta can see the beautiful aging on Lexie’s constellation of Jibbitz. And she sees a clear grip on her paddle.
Netta jumped out of her chair, “A-ha” she yells and points at Lexie. The bells go deathly silent. “You are the one who stole my Jibbit!” 4
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She hangs her head in embarrassment and runs to the jacuzzi to cry.
Stay tuned as we uncover the truth behind Netta’s lost paddle…
You know the songs! Can you fill in the blanks with the correct lyric and then find it in the wordsearch? Answers are on the back cover if you need a hint! Here on the water Cara Latham
Here, on the water, surrounded by the , Here, on the water, I look around. The colors shimmer and change with every And fills my with its sound,
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Chorus: And I can sing, and I can play. I feel a that lasts throughout the day, And I choose joy, and I choose , And when I look inside of me, I am who I want to be And on this lake in the , surrounded by the trees, I am joy, I am rest, I am happy, I am , I am free as I can be, and surrounded by the beauty, I am to be me. Here, on the water, surrounded by the , Here, on the water, I look around. There’s time to , to think and to notice, Away from the cares of I can slow down.
Answers on page 8
1: The Case of the Lost Jibbit, Part 3 Welcome back to Only Green Shorts in the Hale Last we spoke, Lexie’s name was cleared. The criminal was still on the loose. Lexie, finally able to start announcements prepares the group for yet another rainstorm. Groans from the crowd, but then something else. Something sinister… deep coughs from the head of the waterfront. John McFadden is choking on his hefty slice of delicious Shel bread. A hush from the crowd. Many WFA trained counselors run to John’s aid. And just as they arrive, something flies out of his mouth and into the grass. A small canoe paddle Jibbit, without a grip.
Scamp Spirit • FALL 2023
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WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOURSELF AT CAMP?
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Only Green Shorts in the Hale 1: The Case of the Lost Jibbit, Part 4 After John’s brush with death, Scout darts to the backdoor of the kitchen. Yelling the name of our new suspect, Shel Ball. Shel, hearing her name, sees Scout and immediately compliments her on her stellar first summer at Hive.
Shel shares with Scout something that hasn’t sat well with her since many days earlier. “I saw Netta Boggs run her crocs through the Hobart.”
Scout, not deterred, goes straight to the issue at hand.
“The Hobart!?” Asks Scout, shocked and appalled.
“I know you what you did! You stole Netta’s Jibbit!”
Sam McFadden, overhearing the heated exchange, can’t hold his guilt in a second longer.
Shel responds, “I personally don’t wear crocs, I prefer a sensible shoe and a grey tank top.” 6
“Then who did this?” Scout asks.
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sk s. ore ri m e k ew things and am I ta tr y ing n . more o o t s w i l lin deas en , i p s d o n g a to share my thoughts . ou s e l ve s t I’m m a sc i e h h t n t . g o asy it is to connect t i k e u r ed b e i n o ot le. e how e -c l k f i p l o l I s t I e hers s s e a u s . j h new p s … lf lly/ s o c m e h m s t f u NG! o n e e i t t y I . E r e a k V s H p E i T i R l Y a h s g ei n d nd ies, I am t a y a n I l i ke b g activ it n e I like that I am able to f fid goo ma ke jo t. i n t kes here. co i n g ubt and look i ou o d e h t b f e a o t r . ng out for people e efi o od b n o e g m l b o e fe e. uch the a ls els r y ing new things I wo ple T I’m m else is e e r a e r e h t o a r d l o e n t e uldn’t do any wh of activ i p nt a e ties I c ende r yon ing e p v v a e e n i d d n d g o on m n s g me, a y ow n at camp. be i l w ay self and not have to hide s y a n m a m ’ e c I o b T hat I m n e pa I am les hat I ca r ts s selfI am. At s my age, but here I feel I l i ke t d i k o d home cons as t h fm n u o ciou y , I am r o pe r s u gh s, so more reser ved a . o I n c a I t a ke e how lity. an a i sk s r m o m r a e e I a r t w o m a a I ca n h r e b ec a ct a I l i ke t nd j be m u se I ust b y se l f don’ e freely. t h av w ith hin o e ut hes t gs, e chn itation and I love to laugh and ma ke con but olog necti I am y. a l so ons. supe r co be a silly. I feel more free to be me an nfid d and be g i n u w e ve o l d I I ’ ’ m m a lw ner. ent not afraid to be r yone. ay s t and her indepen e for dent, more socia l and ou I like that I am mysel my friends. tgoin f. g. s. I lo ve t h I’m much more op at I c uldn’t I’m en and a n be norm more rried about s m natur yself around my friends and n a l ly rela xed, not as wo tuff a l, so ot have t at ho . o wo I fee . me. rr y l l i k e myse ab o I like that I tr y new lf. I h a ve ut t h i n g s a w m n d ore t d h I o ldn’t n l i ke at o ’t tak ime norm be i n g em the to m a part of the community. a l ly y r s e y I f p i l s n d f so be a it easier elf e o ple t wh i to foc ble w ith se r h i n k. to. peop ch iou us b s s ly eca le b om a u e t ca eca se I tim I li k mp. u se es m ’m e be I sp a n k e o i s ng a it easier t di end c t i ve stra to thin k. a lo and cu c te d r by my i ous at camp. t of phone. time w ith th em.
“It was me! I took the broken canoe paddle Jibbit! I’m tired of cleaning up after these trips and my shoes felt bare.” Sam empties his Patagonia shorts, sort of acceptable green but kind of pushing it and out flood hundreds of Jibbitz, rainbows, bunnies, poop emojis, pizza slices, even Georgia’s favorite from Among Us.
Shel kneels in front of Sam and says, “I can help you get these back to everybody. You’re a wonderful person and I believe in you.” Luckily, Aloha is a place where we can make mistakes, learn and repair. And this is the moment that turns Sam’s Jibbit habit into a growth opportunity.
“If it wasn’t for you meddling Camp Kids, I would’ve got away with it too!” He shouts at Scout.
Sam now returns all Jibbitz he finds on the hillside to their rightful owners, and all is quiet on the hillside.
Sam falls to his knees and weeps.
THE END Scamp Spirit • FALL 2023
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2968 Lake Morey Road Fairlee, Vermont 05045
ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! CAMP DATES 2024 FULL SEASON: Friday, June 28–Wednesday, August 14 1st SESSION: Friday, June 28–Sunday, July 21 2nd SESSION: Tuesday, July 23–Wednesday, August 14 Visiting weekend: Saturday, July 20–Sunday, July 21
Campers resting, relaxing, and enjoying the view from just below Mt. Willey’s summit overlooking Crawford Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
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Word Search Answers: beauty, moment, music, heart, peace, happiness, sunshine, blessed, thankful, mountains, wonder, life