Summer is filled with swirls of activity. New England is rich with lovely landscapes, lakes and sea. It pulls in people from near and far to explore the precious “secrets” held in catching a glance of green, rolling hillsides or the sounds of the loons calling over an early morning still lake.
Travel, visits with family and friends and camps occupy many younger folks' summer lives. Camps are a wonderful way to build independence and stretch wings of interest and passion.
I love all the seasons. Most of all summer, its long, bright hours reinforce me. I soak up the sun, saving it for a scanter season.
One of my favorite summertime activities IS summer camp. Always has been, to be honest. As a kid, I loved summer camp and went for two weeks every year. Best part: with my pony, and later on, my horse. I mean, what COULD be better? Homesickness was not a thing. Nope. I had my best friend with me: Midnight, then Missy. As a teenager, I was a camp counselor, then an instructor at the camp I grew up in. As an “adult” I have offered camps to the younger farm community consistently over decades.
I am privileged to be part of the camp counseling staff at Dusty Dog Farm each year. We run three weeks of horse camp for kids ages 6-14. It is a blast for me to witness the growth that happens in one, two or three weeks. Growth, not just in terms of riding or skills with horses, but growth in interpersonal skills, growth in compassion, and in passion.
Mind you, this is not a huge camp. We have ten campers, at most, per week. They ride twice a day, do chores around the farm, play with golden retrievers at lunch time, wade in the creek that flows through the property to cool off, ending the day with their favorite: stirring the horses’ evening feed and feeding out grain to the 35 horses currently at home at the farm.
This year we have a robust number of campers. They are all in love with horses, keen on getting dirty and feeling farm life. One camper, Oliver, is eight years old, curious, confident and cordial. He has won the hearts of the barn staff and clients. His mannerisms, smile, sideways cock to his head as he asks the ever present “I have a question” could just about melt the Grinch's heart. Questions come from ALL angles and not necessarily connected to what is being done. Oliver's inquisitiveness in the world around him is awesome. He is a master of the magic of curiosity. In this role, not only is he winning hearts, he is resparking the joy of curiosity in many.
The magic of curiosity helps us grow. It never goes away, but often gets lost in adulting.
So, next time a small voice says “I have a question,” squat down, look them in the eye and say “I might have an answer.” Let your smile come out then wait, you will feel the magic.
With gratitude for Oliver,
Christina
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