Saltash Mountain News Updates
Checking in on Saltash Mountain!
A collection of updates from SAM Director Adair Arbor, organized from most to least recent. Enjoy!
We also post photos throughout the session. Check it out!
Remember, the password to access these photos was sent to all CampDoc users via CampDoc email notification.
Friday, July 10
Hello, SAM Families!
Our long trips came back yesterday and spirits were high! The kids had incredible adventures in the Adirondacks, Franconia, and Lake Umbagog. It was so sweet to see van after van pull in and hear the joy and enthusiasm coming from all our campers. They had smooth, safe trips across the board!
We celebrated with our traditional Sumbel and a homemade pizza feast, followed by surprise chocolate cake. Trip skits were hilarious as usual, and today we’re enjoying a zero day with a slightly slower pace as we recover and get back into the groove of camp routines.
It will be a week jam-packed with fun as we near the session’s close. Over the coming days, kids will be deep in culminating projects, including our Interdependence Day skit, which the campers will perform for the entire F&W community before a contra dance and Big Fire. Speaking of contra dances, we’re also gearing up for SAM Dance! We’re so excited to welcome guests from across F&W, and our staff and camper musicians are brushing up on our jigs and waltzes. Today our campers are planning their end-of-session banquet theme and starting to think about what they might make for appreciation gifts.
Keep an eye on our photo page to see what our whacky little community gets up to!
Hello, SAM families!
We're in the beautiful in-between times when cabin trips have returned and long trips are approaching. It is so wonderful to have our kiddos back in camp!
On Monday night, we celebrated their triumphant return with Sumbel, our joyful post-trip tradition over dinner, followed by trip skits, where they acted out all of their successes, tribulations, and inside jokes after 3 days on trail. Tuesday was a much needed zero day, with ample opportunities for rest, reset, and, importantly, s'mores. On Tuesday night we joined our neighbors at The Clearing for their Welcoming Ceremony. Even in the pouring rain, our campers were engaged, respectful, and even got in a full game of football with their new friends after dinner! Since then, we've been preparing our skit, cooling off in the lake, and getting psyched for long trips!
It feels like we're really in the groove of camp now. Daily rituals and traditions are second-nature. Dishes and chores are happening more efficiently. Friendships are blossoming and projects are humming along. Singing on the Hill now has "old favorites". It's hard to believe we'll be setting off on long trips in just 2 days!
Check out our photo page to see what all your kiddos have been getting up to. I'll also be getting in touch with a quick email to let you know what trip your camper will be on!
Saturday, June 27
Hello, SAM Families!
What a joyful, whacky start to the session it’s been! Our staff has been waiting for weeks for your kiddos to arrive, and each “first” of the summer has been a little moment of rejoicing—the first Singing On The Hill, the first silly characters on the scene, the first silent meeting, and today, the first trip departures!
The energy in camp has been upbeat and totally bought-in. I’ve really enjoyed seeing our returning campers welcoming our new community members and catching them up on all the traditions and rhythms of the camp day. Singing On The Hill has been a raucous good time—egg shakers abound!—and last night’s evening program, Improv Game Night, was truly hilarious.
This morning, after an extra yummy breakfast, our campers set off on their first adventures. They were packed and ready in record time! Each cabin is out backpacking in Farm & Wilderness forests. Check out our photo page later this weekend to see their departure photos (and much more of the goofy fun we’ve been having)!
When they return on Monday afternoon, they’ll be greeted by hot showers, an epic feast, and Sumbel, our celebratory trip processing tradition. In the meantime, we’ll be busy tidying camp, preparing next week’s program, and writing their end-of-session skit inspired by an off-the-wall brainstorming session over breakfast today.
It’s been incredible to spend this time with your kids. Thanks so much for bringing them to our community this summer. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, would like an update on your camper, or just want to know what we’re up to. More to come!
With gratitude,
Adair Arbor
Ninevah Camps Director