Rites of Passage

I can’t believe today is already Day Three of camp!  I am having a blast as always, this year as a counselor for the Eagles, our oldest group of campers, many of whom are veterans to Peace Village and are gearing up to become junior counselors in just a year or two.  These young people are full of joy and insight, and two of them are already teaching their own classes as part of Village Fair, our mixed-age group activity rotations.  I am continually impressed by the maturity with which each camper engages in the material of each class, and how they often step in to help both younger campers and older counselors.

This year, we have something new and special planned for these fantastic kids – an overnight retreat (tomorrow night!) where they can explore as a group and as individuals this incredible time of their lives: a time where they are no longer children and not yet adults, a time of earning independence and gaining responsibilities, a time of discovering who they are and who they wish to become. 

Many cultures around the world hold rites of passage for their adolescent citizens, but this celebration of transformation is something that is often forgotten in America today.  We hope to bring this tradition back for our 12- and 13- year olds, so that we can celebrate with them their changing roles at camp, in their families, and in the world.  I feel that this time is neither a beginning nor and end, but another step on a journey that can be confusing but also enlightening and empowering.

I feel very fortunate to be sharing this time with these teens and to have them on the inaugural overnight for Peace Village!  I can’t wait to see what the facilitators (Karen, Pamela, and Jack) will bring to this exciting event and what new discoveries our Eagles will make; I hope they will take some opportunities to share their stories with you! For now, we have another day of games, stories, crafts, and lots of Peace And Love for all.

-Sulli, Eagles counselor