Closing Ceremony and Creating Joy
As of this moment, our Session 1 Campers have departed, returning back to their homes to tell the stories of their time here. I imagine their taless will be full of happiness and laughter, overflowing with exciting experiences and newfound friendships that will likely go on to last a lifetime.
This place changes your perspective about life in so many ways. After a session at GRP, the essence of who we are grows into more than what we thought we could be. The community elevates each of us towards our best version of ourselves. The environment introduces us to the wonders of the natural world. A plethora of brand new sensations wash over us and through us.
What’s it like to slide down a 40-foot natural waterslide in the middle of the NC woods, you ask? Well, for one thing, it’s cold! Though, it’s not the kind of cold that keeps you from gleefully wading into the rushing flow of Uncle’s Creek. This is the kind of cold that gives you a burst of energizing power, an inner strength to look forward and keep going, because it is the way we walk towards what lies ahead that truly matters. Every day at GRP gives each of our campers the opportunity to experience these kinds of moments, safely, and from a place of yearning to create pure joy.
Last night during the final evening of session 1, we celebrated with a special banquet dinner, followed by an epic slideshow featuring photos of every camper, captured in their element. Afterwards, the peaceful walk towards a reverent Upper Council Fire gave us all a deep feeling of respect for this wonderful place and all of the people that surround us. With a few beautiful words from Steve we began to settle in. We listened to a reading of the Woodcraft Laws and Sandy’s Letter, set our Spirit Stones around the fire and were drawn into the tale of the turtles during a story told by Chris Paul. As the night drew closer to dusk, the Green River Ramblers played a few tunes before we all made our way to the lake, for the final act of the night, where each of us took part in the same moment, as one. With our little wishboat candles lit for the journey across the lake, we all embraced darkness and set forth our dreams for our own personal journeys by placing each gently into the calm water. While the glow of a hundred lights twinkled in the coming of true night, lightning bugs danced all around us in one final show of the real magic this setting holds.
Story by Brandon S. Marshall with photos by Brandon S. Marshall & Samantha Keebler