How many people does it take to help a camp thrive? Last week 22 young children spent their spring break at Boxerwood, investigating the marvels of the earth beneath our feet in “Soil Sleuths” camp. Grounded in a kindness curriculum, the five-day camp invited children to explore the wonders of living earth through science, art, reflection, story-telling, and play. Thank you to the dozen additional folks (ages 7 - 70ish) who helped support the children in their growth through the generosity of their own kindness, talents, and time. And thank you to our camp scholarship donors.
The camp was led by Boxerwood educators Caroline Coons, Jess Sullivan, and Madeline Fuentes, with vital help from a host of Boxerwood friends. Most essentially, four youth ages 10 - 13 volunteered as junior counselors. Master Gardener Phyllis Fevrier stopped by to demonstrate core sampling and introduced the kids to soil horizon layers. Ben Eland and his 7-year old daughter, June, brought in a shiitake log they had inoculated and shared with the campers fungi’s amazing role as a decomposer and soil maker. The campers also tried making mini-mud bricks and learned how to create soil paint with artist Liz Kuehner. With Liz’s help, the campers painted peace flags, which they flew from the meadow oak on the final camp day. Volunteer Lori O’Connor, meanwhile, helped capture some of the beautiful moments in photographs.
In their week together, the children and their grown-ups created a community. May the “soil” nurtured together help sow seeds of peace, both within and without as we continue our shared journey as earth stewards.
