A quick hello

Today was Beach Day (I know, poor me) so I don't have much to write since classes were shortened. Last night we went bowling for a staff excursion (poor me again) so I've had some time to enjoy myself and re-energize for the week. Its going on day 4 of architecture week and now I definately feel like part of this wonderful community. Staff and counselors know me by name, and vice versa. I'm still stunned by the beauty of this place - its such a caring, supportive environment to explore the arts.

Today's photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59296&l=2c6ab&id=611842138

A day in the life

7:30 Wake up, get everything together for morning class
8:30 Camp breakfast and announcements
9:30 Majors. I'm with visual arts and photography campers
12:30 Lunch
1 Rest Hour - prepare for afternoon class
2:15 Minor 1- I'm with photography
3:30 Snacktime!
3:45 Minor 2 - I'm with journalism
5 Free Choice- I have an open architecture studio
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Evening Activity

So there you have it. Not much different than the schedule when I was a camper.

I'm so so busy with these kids! Not only am I teaching majors and minors, but a number of them have expressed interest in meeting with me during free time to do a small project, learn more etc. I'm amazed how smart and creative these kids are. We're going to have a great exhibition Saturday. The visual arts kids are model making their new design for a courtyard at camp, the photography students are documenting all sort of odd nooks and crannies found in/on the buildings, the journalists are doing interviews today of the camp founder, and a longstanding counselor. They are just such quick studies and genuinely interested in architecture- its working out so well!

Last night's fun activity was the staff concert, where staff show off their talents in the fields other than what they teach. I remember as a camper, how I adored these people, even had crushes on them. And now they are my co-staff, and perhaps even 5-10 years younger than myself. So that's an example of one of the stranger moments I've had here - when I genuinely realize my time spent here was half a life ago (14 vs 29).

Yay!

Holy cow, teaching went SO WELL this morning! I spoke with 50 visual artists (age 9-17, ceramics/sculpture/painting/drawing), and had a group discussion about architecture - we made a collective definition, talked about buildings at camp etc. At the end of the hour-long talk, 7 people expressed interest in doing an architecture project for the rest of the week. So we spent another couple of hours choosing our building and talking about design/materials etc. We have selected a building and will divide it up into components - the campers each choose a piece and will build/draw/paint their own ideas about it. Afterwards I lectured to the photography students and they have decided to do a series of detailed photos of one of the oldest buildings on grounds. I'm thrilled, it really couldn't have gone any better!

As a side note, I attended a bonfire with 11 year old girls last night. Too funny.

More photos of familiar places posted today:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58844&l=d661d&id=611842138

Sniff, Sniff

No, I'm not crying. I've been smelling. And no, its not me that smells. This camp smells. So glad that's been cleared up.

When I imagined being back here, it was very visual. I could picture the places I spent my time, the buildings, the people. What I didn't account for were the smells. I had read that our olfactory sense was our strongest, but hadn't really experienced that for myself. Until now.

There are many distinct aromas here which I haven't had the pleasure(?) of smelling in many years. Again, this should jog the minds of old campers/staff:
1. The Theater. I'd describe it as musty.
2. Walking past North Senior bunks. A combination of perfume, sweat, and laundry - both clean and dirty.
3. The Conference Rooms. Moldy. Distinctively different than the mustiness of the Theater.
4. The Media Center (now camp office). Can't put my finger on that one, but perhaps it has to do with building material offgassing?

The funny part is that all these sound quite horrific. But because of the associated memories I have, I daresay they give me the warm fuzzies. Granted I wouldn't want to spend a huge amount of time in any of these places....

And as a reward for reading through this post you get to see more photos: these are of old places that are still alive and well at the Farm:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58599&l=3f639&id=611842138

Tomorrow is my first teaching day - wish me luck!

Initial Impressions

Finally found a free moment to write. I've been spending most of my time in the camp office, preparing for class this week. Staff comes and goes all the time, which means that I am frequently distracted by folks who want to chat about the architecture program, and not getting a whole lot done of my own work. No complaints though - I'm flattered that there's been so much interest shown by both staff and campers. Formally, classes begin Monday which gives me the opportunity to meet people, tweak lesson plans and participate in camp activities before the real craziness begins. I anticipate 12 hour days between the actual classes, group meals, workshops and evening activities - most which are alot of fun. Things like improv theater, dances, concerts etc.

As for my initial impressions upon return - and I know alot of old campers want to hear this part - its still the same old Appel Farm we know and love. The supportive community, friendly people, oddballs, traditions - they're all here. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately - probably depends on which way you look at it - the built environment has changed quite a bit. And I think that has a pretty big effect on the experience of camp itself. When I was there, it was a farm, with fields. Buildings punctuated the landscape. Now, its more of a collection of buildings with fields at the periphery. And to boot, these new buildings are ugly. I was told by an unnamed inside source, that they hired an architect who was fairly easy on the wallet - and hence, not all that great with design. They should have called me :)

The specific changes to existing buildings (again, for those who knew camp in the early 1990s) are: the demolition of the Art Barn, replaced by a Pavilion, the Dining Hall is now a dance studio, the Coop was condemned and is now just storage, There is a roof over the grove stage, pigs are gone, South Seniors bunks are now staff housing. What perhaps is more striking are all the new buildings: New Dining Hall and Art Building, near the garden, across from the tennis court; a sculpture has been built between the Office and Tennis courts, there are Adirondack chairs which are additions to picnic tables outside for gathering spots, there are 2 new bunks built between the pool and old coop so that viewshed is gone. And there are alot more campers here. Probably a couple hundred!

And now onto the camp itself - the kids are great. They seem a little different than we were - and this is probably just a reflection of a generational change. The girls dress...ummmm...provocatively. I recall us in t shirts and shorts. The kids look so young. And actually, the counselors look young too! I guess that officially makes me an oldie, when 90% of the counselors are 10 years younger than myself. But as I said earlier, the Appel Farm spirit is alive and well. Everyone has been so welcoming. I am always invited to people's tables to share meals, to go to various events with them etc. The kids knew about my existance before my arrival and literally were jumping up and down when I was introduced at breakfast this morning as the guest architect. They are just so enthusiastic and talented. Very unlike the apathy I typically see in kids these days.

As for my personal experience, I feel so very lucky to have been invited back. Its nice to be able to enjoy this place again, at a different point in my life, with different experiences and perspectives. It feels like home to me.

First Day Photos

No time to write now - am busy trying to meet up with the heads of visual arts, photography and writing.

But to hold you over, here are some photos! You don't need a Facebook login to view.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58459&l=8cab4&id=611842138

I'm Here!

Just a quick note to let you know I arrived this afternoon. What a surreal day! Its been a fantastic whirlwind and at the same time, such a comfort to return. I spent most of my time with Sarv, a counselor who was here when I was a camper 15 years ago, just getting caught up on the changes that have happened since I left. I'll write more and post pictures tomorrow. The biggest surprise is all the new buildings that have popped up which past campers can see on the aerial photo to the right. I'm off to a pajama dance party with the kids at the Pavilion (located where the old, very non-code-compliant Art Barn was).....and then back to my digs at Albert's Appel's House (with his roaming chickens in the yard - no more pigs though). Pretty superawesomecrazycool to be back.

Retrospective

Appel Farm. It was my childhood summer home, on a farm, with hippies and music and laughter and friends. I've been thinking about it ever since I last step foot there 14 years ago. On Friday I'm headed back for a week to teach. Its amazing on so many levels - the chance to revisit my childhood self, at the very place which influenced the adult I would eventually become. The realization that I am a product of this place - my awareness and appreciation for art, humanity, and nature began there. All my dreams for myself came out of those summers in the fields. Perhaps the most overpowering thought: I became the woman I hoped I would be. And its all because of this place, which I am returning to, 14 years later.

5 1/2 weeks and counting!

These days you're likely to find me camped out on the porch with my laptop, preparing lesson plans for my week at camp! This is my first shot at teaching, so its intimidating but exciting at the same time. Be sure to check out the camp link in the right sidebar to see where I'm headed in early July.