The sun was high and hot today and Lake Michigan looked like it held scattered diamonds. Gorgeous!

Last days at Miniwanca are bittersweet, holding space for every emotion: anticipation of seeing loved ones and going home as well as our feelings of sadness about leaving friends and this incredibly special place.

Today the girls finished their last Interest Groups and went to our Awards Assembly in Council Circle.  Any camper who Polar Beared every morning was recognized for their Dip Dip Dipping and they received a special Polar Bear t-shirt. They also learned the Secret of the Multicolored Tags. And then… they spent time packing their bags. (Legend has it that campers’ suitcases are heavier going home due to the considerable amounts of sand contained within. Some parents have their kiddos empty all bags outside, with a thorough shake-down, to keep indoor sand quantities to a minimum.)

Tonight was our last evening together and full of celebration! We enjoyed a Final Banquet and then headed to the Grand Council where our Odyssey and Voyagers are recognized for their incredible achievements.  Each received a special rugby shirt or jacket to commemorate their time on trail.

From there, we headed to Church of the Dunes for Evening Reflections given by our Odyssey Seniors. Listening to the collective perspective of their physical and emotional journeys was a gift to each of us. Thoughts of their shared stories stayed with us as the evening light softened and everyone headed to their cabins.