CAMP
ELLOWI
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Sophie’s Essay
“This is a picture essay about a picture
I took at camp in July 2003”
Camp Ellowi
What strikes me when I get to Camp Ellowi
early in the morning is the peacefulness. The aromatic scent of the cedar and
the soft sound of the trees swaying in the breeze are soothing. As I round the
corner of the rustic stone lodge I catch smiles from familiar faces. —
Stretch, Star, Banjo, Ecko, Joker, and Pocahontas all wave to me. At camp my
name is Sofa, and when I walk in I assume the role of a volunteer.
Soon, the kids trickle
in slowly, yawning and stretching and maybe sitting down with others to start a
card game. Then the rowdy boys arrive and start up the somewhat ritualistic game
of kickball that occurs without fail every morning. As the noise level gradually
increases and kids start to wake up, the buses of city kids pull in to top off
the crescendo of sound and excitement as a day at camp begins.
I have been going to
Camp Ellowi since the summer after fourth grade. Each year after that, the
school year only lead to the summer, I could not wait to get back to that
outdoor haven. I remember yearning for my thirteenth birthday so that I could be
a Counselor In Training (CIT). Before I started helping out at camp instead of
just attending, I only went to camp for a few weeks each summer. After I turned
thirteen, I spent almost my entire summers there. I helped out with all areas of
camp life, including swimming lessons. I really enjoyed teaching the younger
kids to swim, that was one of my favorite assignments.
When I reached the age
of sixteen, I became an official volunteer. This was an absolute privilege,
because I was treated and had almost the same authority as an adult counselor.
Some days I helped with archery and canoeing with the older kids. But for most
of the summer, my assigned group was the six and seven year olds.
They were really fun to
work with. One day we went on a hike and built a clubhouse next to Chief
Ellowi’s “grave.” My little troop named it the Tiger Clubhouse. We used strips
of bark found on the ground to make walls by hanging them off the trees. We laid
rocks for steps and to spell out “Tiger Clubhouse.” The clubhouse even had its
own snail apartment, where the kids dumped all the snails they found on a few
leaves. And there were a lot of snails.
Two of the kids I worked
with at camp really stood out. They were Forest and Alex. Alex earned the
nickname of Caveman, because half the time he was running around without a shirt
on. He enjoyed being called Caveman, and it was hard to keep him in shoes and
shirts. He spent most of the free time he had building clubhouses. On a few
occasions, he allowed me to come in and help put rocks in order. Forest was a
special kid. He was sort of shy and quiet, but never complained about any
activities.
Being around children
was one of the best things about volunteering at camp. When I wasn’t hanging out
with Forest and Alex, I was playing with Paige or looking at the new bug or
lizard Rhia had found and made her pet. That girl would have tamed a tarantula
if I had only let her. I have a lot of pictures from camp, but I chose this one
because it shows two of the most kind-hearted and fun kids I met there. I know
one day they’ll be famous, maybe Alex will be an architect and Forest will
become a chef. It’s just a guess really.
Ever since I first
helped out at camp, volunteering has become something I always make room and
sign up for. I’m so glad volunteering has given me the opportunity to meet such
enchanting children and I want to do more whenever I can. Wherever I end up, or
whatever I become, Camp Ellowi and the kids will always be close to my heart.
Copyright � 2006 Camp Fire USA Lone Star
Council 4411 Skillman Dallas, Texas 75206
Telephone: 214 824 1122 |
Fax: 214 824 1148 | E-mail:
[email protected]
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| For more information, please contact: |
| Camp Fire USA |
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214 824 1122 |
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[email protected] |
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