This past summer Rachel Stein (camper, JC) and I co wrote this poem one verse at a time via e-mail.  Rachel was the driving force in initiating this submission to the Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Contest.  I think it is a true testament to the connection to community and the natural world that camp inspires in young people.  Thank you Rachel for spreading your wonderful outlook on camp with us all!

Dreaming of Green
By Rachel Stein & Noni Waite-Kucera

Dawn rising through cool mist
The quiet of morning lies still and sweet
Children sleep, awaiting their call to the day
Crunching of rocks, the scurrying of a squirrel
Reaching high to pull the line
Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang
Choruses of “Good Mornings” ring through the woods

A toll of nine jerking me from my slumber 
Rubbing the night from my eyes
The birds call warning as sixteen bodies startle the mist
Two columns of children
Listening to the birds and frogs already awoken an hour from their slumber
Rocks grate against each other as one hundred bodies rush to pledge themselves to US

Wafts of freshly baked muffins
People milling
One alone, meditating, peaceful, enveloped in green
Time stops underneath the canopy of the sheltering tree
She listens to the troubled heart and soothes the darting mind
Softly she cleanses and sweetly she guides

A sudden clamor, voices sing, plates pass
Where to today?
What mysteries will be discovered?
Will the river speak to those who paddle?
Will the rock speak to those who climb?
What of those who weave the strands of honeysuckle deftly picked?
A new day begins, adventures await

Hiking, swimming, fishing, climbing, playing
Laughter sounds and talking bursts
Scattering the birds
Throwing the rocks
Splashing the water
The toll numbers twice until again the clatter of plates sound
Followed by silence