RBT @ GRP
The first few days of session four have been full of exciting changes in routine for our GRP campers. One of the aspects of this routine that is central to GRP’s mission is the incorporation of ceremony. We include programs such as Upper Council Fire, where campers gather around the campfire, sing songs together, and learn about the tradition of spirit stones. These stones are another aspect of ceremony, each camper picks a stone that stands out to them during their time here and in the last few days of the session each cabin sits together and paints them before finally leaving them behind up at the Council Fire. These experiences add to the intentionality of camp, helping campers to embrace the moment they are in, to create meaningful memories, and to create a bond with this place that will last through life.
In daily life at GRP, ceremony is included in “Rose Bud Thorn.” Each evening every cabin spends intention time together, often lit only by soft lighting from headlamps or nightlights, and shares about their days. Each camper shares a “Rose,” a favorite part of the day, a “Thorn,” a not so great part of the day, and a “Bud,” something they are excited for about tomorrow. This time together is meaningful to campers and helps cabin mates to learn more about each other. Rose Bud Thorn has been a part of GRP’s daily practice of reflection for many years, but many cabins have been incorporating new variations to it to make the experience even more meaningful.
Many counselors add a question to the end of Rose Bud Thorn to add to the spirit of reflection the activity aims to stimulate. In Spirit Winds 2 this session, these questions are themed each day in line with a different one of the GRP Woodcraft Laws. These laws are Fortitude, Beauty, Love, and Truth and here at GRP we try to live intentionally with these laws as our guides. Each night we ask campers to reflect on how they have embodied one of these laws either that day or in their past. On night one the focus was on Fortitude, the question asked was, “How have you shown bravery today?” Many of the answers focused on how campers had to be strong to leave their families, how they were proud of themselves for trying new things. Knowing that these anxieties and strengths were shared helped campers to support each other and bond as a whole group.
Ceremony at GRP occurs in many forms, and is an important aspect of the level of community we are able to build here. Rose Bud Thorn is only one example of this practice, but this also serves to show that we can always rethink ceremonies to better fit our needs.
Story by Phoebe Dodge with photos by Samantha Keebler & Brandon S. Marshall