Camp Purple snapshots...

Add eleven punks to forty acres, stir in horses, bows and arrows, campfires, frogs, hotdogs and the secret purple ingredient, simmer in the sun for three days, and you have CAMP PURPLE!

There were 3 girls and 8 guypunks, which didn't mean a thing when Maddy opened the Nails by Madison Boutique...she had every color of nail polish to make even the youngest campers happy to have toes and fingers embellished...silver was popular with the vampire crowd, they got a lot of mileage out of this activity.

One of the first things the camp host (gramma) taught the punks was how to find Plantain, otherwise known as medicine leaf, and how to make Fairy Bandaids. This involved chewing a leaf a bit then plastering it on the sting, scrap or owie. Here the gang is "doctoring" Nathan who got into some nettles...Plantain really works. The kids were really good at checking with me before using a leaf - but they had it nailed the first night, and made good use of Plantain all during camp! The horses were due for a trim job, which just happened to be scheduled during the first camp afternoon. This was high entertainment for the non-farm punks. Paul, the farrier, was great at answering questions and explaining what he was doing...thanks, Paul, for adding to their education!

There were very few actual planned activities at Camp Purple. This group of youngsters spend a lot of time together, and roll from one imaginative activity to another with scarcely a break in the action. But once in awhile, there were some moments to pursue more individual serious things - such as listening to "Les Miserables". The Wright punks know it all almost by heart. Who would think a seven-year-old would prefer to listen to opera during lunch??

Lee brought out his precious wild turkey tail feather found in the back field, and asked Gramma to help him make a quill suitable for writing. Which was soon accomplished with tools from the art room calligraphy supplies. Lee practiced his writing with a nicely edged quill and walnut ink. His next step was a desire to make his own ink. So off he went to pick some blackberries, which he crushed, strained out the juice, mixed it with a bit of salt and vinegar, and soon was writing with PURPLE ink!

FOOD is an important part of any camp experience. Here little Maddy waits for Collin to stuff her with spaghetti...just like a baby bird waiting for a worm!

We know it takes a lot of energy to keep up with 11 punks, but two plates??

Breakfast was a group affair. Pancakes and bacon topped the menu. Lunches were up to each individual family, and dinner was more a potluck with whatever we wanted to put on the table. Lots of fruit and veggie snacks, and pretty much NO SUGAR (yes, it can be done). Except the s'mores around the campfire, of course...

Now doesn't this just make your mouth water??

Every evening Gramma was still on the schedule for milking the goats which are next door. Another opportunity to learn new things. Jolene took Maddy out to meet the sheep. Maddy was determined that the sheep - and horses - and goats - were "cows". Hopefully she didn't insult too many critters ...

A nature scavenger hunt was one of the actual planned activities. The punks divided themselves into teams, and set out with bags, jars, and a list.

About 40 minutes later, they gathered to see what everyone had found. Gramma had fun with this activity, which was another grand learning opportunity for the punks. A farm or yard is a natural school room!

One of the marvelous things about a group of punks who spend time at a camp together is the natural flow of interactions. Fascinating to watch, and heartwarming to experience. Bigs helping littles, creating, sharing, and having fun! They are all grand friends, and age doesn't seem to be a factor for most activities.

The campfire gatherings were always a time for fun and laughter. Lee demonstrates the family skill of tongue-to-nose, passed down from Greatgramma Griffin! Not all of us can do it, so it is a source of pride for those who can.

Letting the punks do their own thing, as the whim directed, freed up the adults to just enjoy the experience of watching them. An art tub was available for impromptu projects, and was used many times during camp. Projects included fake money and tickets to enter Maddy's tent where she had moved the nail boutique!

The absolute joy demonstrated by the punks was contagious. How could you not have a grand time, with good friends, good food, freedom to explore and play and learn, and just be together...

There's always a story behind the stranger things that happened...

Mostly, it was just being together, loving the moments.

Next time, I'm using the video camera - some things just have to be seen and heard in action...

Oh, mark your calendar. Next Camp Purple: Sept. 23-25.