It was a day full of fun, laughter, and reminiscing as campers prepared to go home. There was excitement to see family members and show them what they had done or made at Miniwanca. Along with the excitement, there was hesitation to leave the new friends they made.

The final dinner at camp was a celebration banquet hosted by the Avail campers. The banquet was Harry Potter themed, and the eating lodge was decorated Great Hall-style with four long tables separated by quads. Campers and staff alike dressed up and gathered together the beginning of the last night.

Closing Circle celebrated campers’ accomplishments and gave them the chance to reminisce on their three weeks together. Miniwanca shared the final quad scores, and the Ridges took first place and the shield. Some of Miniwanca’s oldest campers received their Avail shirts, or their Voyager rugbies as a token of their accomplishments this summer. The senior then campers closed the circle by lining the path with candles singing “Follow the Gleam” as the rest of camp walked out.

The night finished with a slideshow where campers saw some of their favorite memories captured for the first time and the Voyager Evening Reflection. It was a night of community that brought smiles and tears as campers prepared to return home.

While the session has ended, the memories and stories will live on with the Founder Friends of summer 2022.