Traveling in the winter, in Ontario, is no small undertaking. And with the winter we are having, one of slush and mild temperatures, we wanted to be prepared to get wet. But of course we needed to be prepared to freeze as well. And to be warm at night in camp cabins. And so on and so forth. We were headed about 250km north of Toronto to Camp Tawingo.
As far as camps go, Tawingo is world class. In Ontario, it is, to be certain, one of the most well established, well programmed, well run organizations of its kind. And it has a reputation that wraps around the globe. Going there, for a couple of camp people like ourselves, was a 48 hour tutorial in how to run camp properly. But perhaps I’m veering off track here. We were headed to Camp Tawingo for a Winter Family weekend.
We believe that there is true magic at camp. And this weekend was no exception. Camp offers such a range of possibilities that anyone who goes there can be good at something. This is the very beauty and simplicity of camp. There are so many possibilities, so many people to meet, so many new things to try, that going to camp is just setting yourself up for a good outcome. Its true that it isn’t for everyone. I’ve known people who haven’t enjoyed themselves at camp. And I understand that. The communal living. The eating in large noisy rooms. But whatever. Camp is for me. Its for Hil. And, it is most definitely for my kids. Like ducks to water.
One of the highlights of the weekend would, no doubt, be Ruby’s first ever time on skates. And what a setting to do it in! A frozen lake! I’m not sure we could have done anything more Canadian. But here she is, in her skates from Aunt Michelle, ready to give it a try.
Truth be told, she didn’t last very long. And I probably spent more time pushing her around with a snow shovel than she actually spent skating – but she gave it a shot – and really – that’s the essence of any new experience. Giving it a try. Ruby, not one for hesitating or wanting to be left behind, didn’t let us down.
Camp is, without a doubt, a place where friendships are formed and, in the case of this weekend, firmed up a little. We were encouraged to check out the Winter Weekend at Tawingo by our friends Shane and Lindsay. Campers in their own right. They have 2 daughters, Rachel and Emma, twins, who are just a couple of years older than Charlotte. The photo below doesn’t really do the moment justice, but here are Emma and Charlotte hard at work with the wood burning kit:
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t totally keen to put a wood burning tool into the hands of my 5 year old. Turns out camp is a good place for me to do some learning as well. I gave Charlotte a brief lesson on how to use the tool. But nothing I could have shown her could have compared to the tutorial she got from the 7 year old who was sitting beside her. Emma’s lesson lasted longer, included a live demonstration, had a complete narrative, and was appropriately broken up with discussions about what they were going to do when they went tubing later in the afternoon, and where they were going to sleep when they had a sleepover later that night. And, following this shared experience, Charlotte barely left Emma’s side for the remainder of the weekend.
At one point this morning, I was able to convince Charlotte that she didn’t have to be with Emma every minute of the day and that we could meet her at the toboggan hill later on if she would just come with me for a few minutes and try skiing. She had asked about the skiing several times throughout Saturday when it was spoken about after breakfast and lunch but each time I offered to take her, she backed off. I was proud of Charlotte when she took her first shot at cross country skiing today. It is a strange way to have to learn how to move your body and she gave it a good effort. She may have only skied 100m but she tried it. And, in doing so, reminded me that this small accomplishment was probably a more meaningful acheivement than had I dragged her round the entire 500m trail. She gave it a good effort, she did it all on her own without me holding her up or helping her move along. And when she was done, there were no tears, we weren’t at war about stopping, and she was pleased with herself. My own level of intensity doesn’t often align with my 5year old’s endurance. And it took quite an effort on my part not to push her to go further on the skis. But I am learning to be happy with the small steps forward. Even if it means that I don’t get to participate (I didin’t – I was busy occupying Ruby because there were no skis small enough for her).
Of course, one of the other great things about camp is that, amidst all the people and the activity and the fresh air, there are the rare moments for deep personal connection. And this one between Hil and Arden just doesn’t need any description.
All in all, it was a remarkable weekend. It left Hil and I feeling, yet again, that the only thing that we really want to do with our lives, is run a camp ourselves, and we are deep in the hunt for a place that we can make our own and share our love of this place called camp with whomever might choose to join us. Until then, we’ll happily settle for weekends like this.
Emma and Charlotte enjoy a snow cone
Ruby mid dance move at the talent show
Longest Tube Train – World Record Attempt – pre-launch
Charlotte & Jorge, headed out to feed the deer (there’s deer food in the bucket)
3 Ginger Snaps 