USD Magazine, Fall 2004

Campers articulate their hopes and dreams for the next session of campers, an exercise that provides another layer of camp ritual.

front of a makeshift stage; later tonight, campers will put on their end-of-session tal– ent show here, complete with costumes and skits. "This place is all about ritual," says Praba. "Tonight at our closing ceremony, each camper, every counselor, writes what they want from camp for the next session. We use chose Popsicle sticks to start the opening bonfire next time." Sometimes the children share what they've written, sometimes they don't. It's up to them. After quiet time is over, happy shouts ring out as campers head to various activi– ties. A dozen boys are gathered at the Courage Course, an area dominated by a 50-foot-tower chat many of the kids ulti– mately climb all the way to the top. "It forces the campers to step outside of their normal comfort zones," explains Praba. "They just go until they feel like they've gone as far as they want to. Some can do it

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Phong Vu imparts the mysterious technique of creating a "gopher's eye" necklace to a fascinated camper.

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