Did You Say "Wagon Wheel"?

By Anne Izard on November 19, 2015

Have you ever had the magic of a song take you back to a moment in time? Maybe it triggers a memory of when you were with your best friend, or when your sports team was getting ready for a big game, or that time you and your family were singing in the car.

The other night, I was in the kitchen when “Wagon Wheel” came on the radio in the living room. I heard Phen, our four-year-old son, excitedly exclaim, “Mama its the camp song! They sing this at the Upper Council Fire.” Then another jubilant shout came from the living room, “Dada! Its the camp song.” Phen then got really, really excited and said, “maybe ‘Mud’ will be next and then ‘Banana Slug.’”

It was hard to explain to him that the radio man did not know our traditional camp line-up. Thankfully, YouTube is around and we were able to recreate (as much as possible) the Council Fire magic in our living room. Yes indeed, we all sang that dirty song – “MUD” – and then “Banana Slug.” And then Phen promised to teach all his friends at school these GRP songs because according to him, “They need to know these!”

It is so wonderful the memories that music can conjure up and at such an early age. Has music transformed you recently back to GRP? I hope so. Happy listening and happy memories.

Anne Izard

Anne has worked at Green River over the years at summer camp, expeditions, and the school programs as a counselor, expedition leader, mentor, and program director. Anne’s related camp experiences include working as a counselor and program assistant at Camp Ton-A-Wandah in North Carolina, an expedition leader for Wilderness Ventures and an environmental educator and expedition leader for the Teton Science School. Prior to returning home to GRP, Anne was the Director of Education for the Mountain Studies Institute in Silverton, Colorado. Anne and her husband, Steve, are both actively engaged in the American Camp Association, The Association of Environmental Education, and The North Carolina Youth Camp Association. When Anne is not working, she can be found trail running, paddling, cycling, or backcountry skiing with her husband Steve, their sons, Phen and Hawkins,daughter, Alida,and golden retriever, Irie Bird!