These pictures represent my work with 30+ 3rd/4th grade students who are enjoying summer camp at Drift Creek Camp, in the Siuslaw National Forest up the mountain from Lincoln City, Oregon.

Being at Drift Creek fills so many different parts of my very soul–I worked as a counselor there in the late 1980s (when I learned to play chords on a guitar); before that I worked as a kitchen helper (when I learned how to scrub pots); before that I was a camper (when I wasn’t too afraid to get my tetanus booster); before that I went with my home church group for many years (when I learned how to hike and love the ancient forest).

Being at Drift Creek with campers fills so many other parts of my soul–teaching paper-making, learning to know these young people and soaking up their energy; witnessing their kindness and authenticity; seeing the expressions of creativity; and learning that some of their parents were campers in my cabin when I was a counselor there.

What. A. Gift.

There is still more. My friends Brenda and Tony Kauffman are the camp directors. Being able to spend time with them in this amazing natural place will be a memory I’ll carry with me forever. Maybe next week I’ll take Tony up on his challenge to join in the Polar Bear Swim at 7:00 am.