Tamarack Farm Newsletters

 Last night we rang the bell and circled up on the lawn as a whole community for the first time this summer. My heart swelled looking around! We welcomed forty-four campers to Tamarack Farm.  

I like to get up early, before the bell, and get the coffee and tea station set up. This morning as the bell rang, I saw a few campers drift up from the cabin area to the front porch. It was cool and hazy. There were sleepy smiles as folks shuffled over and found their warm beverage of choice. The energy was hesitant and a little awkward. It warmed my heart to see our returning TFers showing the new TFers where the mugs are and where to get hot water. Mim, our Arts Immersion Lead, made eye contact with me after she collected her coffee and grinned, “I love this!” As the adults we know these are the awkward first moments of community building. We know that these quickly give way to friendships, and then deep friendships. Time moves differently at camp—time feels both endless and accelerated. My guess is that in three days the morning move towards coffee and tea will feel familiar and there will be laughing and folks leaning on each other as they sip their warm beverages on the porch. And in a week it will feel like we’ve always done this. But for now we’re a little hesitant and trying to find our rhythm.  

Tonight we gathered on the farmhouse steps and learned the words to Crowded Table by The Highwomen. We talked about Tamarack Farm’s goals of Leadership, Growth, and Belonging, and how Belonging is the really the foundation of the community we’re going to create together. Nora and Sam led our candle ceremony to open our community. We walked silently down to our meeting circle holding candles we lit for each other. Then each community member spoke into the circle, expressing something they were bringing to Tamarack Farm this summer, and placed their candle somewhere amongst the rocks in the center. We heard “openness,” “empathy,” “experience and humor,” “kindness and hard work,” “levity and determination,” “an open ear,” and “perseverance.” By the end of the ceremony the rock and wildflower garden at the center of our meeting circle was glowing, lighting up our faces and the trees above us. We sang Crowded Table together while a few folks played guitars. It was beautiful. It felt like a powerful beginning.   

And so we’re off! Tomorrow morning the first Immersion Cycle starts! Thank you for trusting us with your incredible teens. I am so excited for what we’re creating together.   

Warmly, 

Kate