Early morning hike

A few of the campers got up extra early today to pick the wee
wild strawberry blossoms for pressing as souvenirs of Camp.

They spotted another early riser by the Purple Lagoon.

Here, Baby B, Berdie, and Rose see something different. But what is it?

Mary Moonwalker explains that this is a sassafras tree. They are easy to identify by the mitten shape of their leaves. Sometimes they have a right thumb, sometimes a left, and sometimes they are symmetrical. The root bark of the tree, when boiled, makes a fragrant and delicious tea. Mary Moonwalker's people enjoyed the flavor, and it was formerly used to make root beer. It is no longer used commercially because scientists believe it causes liver damage.





The scent of steeping sassafras tea still brings back fond memories of her youth.

Lowla and Jean are impressed.

One last craft

Since the early morning Hikers so thoughtfully provided the campers with flowers, they all did one more final craft by creating flower presses. Each one painted a flower on the front. They sealed them, and then began to assemble them. A counselor supervised each table.

Yes, Baby B, the flower goes here, between the top two layers.

That's right, Hittymine - take off the top and put the papers with the flower between, says counselor Larie.

They center their flowers and gather the necessary paper and binders.

These are going to be so pretty. Don't you just love them?

Special Guest

Campers, do you know what today is? Yes, it's the last official day of camp, but it's also July 25, so it's Christmas in July Day, and we have a special guest to give you all some gifts from Camp.

Welcome Susan Aye's Santa and his bag of goodies to Camp Wanna Do!!

In his belt, he has candy canes for everyone, and in his bag, a Camp mug (you can just barely see one in his right hand) and a compass so they can all find their way home.

Thank you for visiting us, Santa.

SWAPS NIGHT

Swaps, explained Hitty G, are what we bring to Camp to give to our

new friends as tokens of our esteem. So let the sharing of swaps begin.

Two by two, they came forward. First came Hitty Rose with her birdhouse tote bags for everyone. Beside her was Hittymine with nifty banners representing the Campers' time at Camp Wanna Do.

The next camper was Riley with seashells she found herself, one for each new friend.

Hitty Hattie brought a swap just like her mom found at camp - Banana Slugs.





Hitty Alida also brought totes, but these have little fish on them.

Lowla gave everyone desserts. Wonder if those will even make it home?

Berdie came to camp without swaps because she didn't expect to be a camper. However, she wanted everyone to have a gift from her once she transferred from Jr. Counselor to camper, and she made everyone a friendship bracelet. Hitty Lisa brought all the campers bouncy balls with smiling faces on them and tiny bottles of bubbles with a little bubble wand. Oooh, bubbles.

More Swaps Night

And Swaps Night continues ...

From Hitty Callie comes a wondeful bag of fabrics, ribbons, and flower trims.

From Baby B, real split baskets.

Next is Hitty Jean with Gloworms that actually glow in the dark. Oooooohhhh!!

But where is our last camper, Hitty Colleen?


Sniffling, Hitty Colleen reminds everyone of how she arrived at camp without her swaps. Her mom made more and sent them off Priority Mail, but they never arrived. "Now, I have nothing to give all of you," she cries, brokenhearted.



That's NOT true, someone called out, and to a one, they rose in mass

and surrounded her with hugs.



Colleen, you gave us all the best gift anyone could give - your friendship!!

Closing Campfire

It's been a busy week, and this night is bittersweet. We must go, yet we hate to say goodbye to our new friends and to all the fun we had here. But it is time.

Our last campire together.

Together, they all sing the Camp Wanna Do Song for the final time.



Camp Wanna Do
(to the tune of Auld Lang Syne)


Camp Wanna Do, where skies are blue
And summer sun is high
We rubber raft and make some crafts
And spend a week with you


To you we're true, Camp Wanna Do
We play and never rest
The fun is fine beneath the pine
And friendships are the best.


Camp Wanna Do we’re feeling blue
We know our week must end
But we’ll be here this time next year
To do it all again!


Mary Moonwalker sings "Rise up oh Flame" and the fire burns more brightly.



Day is Done
Gone the sun
From the lake from the hill from the sky....




Their final song, the campers sing

Umhum, I want to linger,
Umhum, a little longer,
Umhum, a little longer here with you.

Umhum, it's such a perfect night,
Umhum, it doesn't seem quite right,
Umhum, that this should be my last with you.

Umhum, but come September,
Umhum, I will remember,
Umhum, the campfires' bright and friendship's true.

Umhum, and as the years go by,
Umhum, I'll think of you and sigh,
Umhum, this is goodnight and not goodbye.

Umhum, I want to linger,
Umhum, a little longer,
Umhum, a little longer here with you.


Farewell, Camp Wanna Do 2009.