Celebrating40Years in the Outdoor Classroom - The Chewonki ...

Sunday Service at
Boys Camp
GARTH GGARTH ALTENBURG
A
A time for community
Imagine magine asking g 170
boys to sit t still
in the woods for close to an hour, engaging in quiet contemplation, singing,
and sharing their reflections on community, the natural
world, and friendship. What may seem close to impossible
to an outsider happens weekly at our Sunday
are forthcoming g in the week k ahead ahead. I begin the service with our
traditional reading of the “Salutation to the Dawn” from the
Sanskrit, much as Dick Thomas and Tim Ellis did before me,
reminding our campers to “Look to this Day…”
From here, the service follows a Quaker-style meeting
Service under the Pines, just below Campfire Circle.
format, with an open floor for songs, readings, and expressions
The concept of a Sunday “Service” is a bit of a misnomer in of gratitude. I am always impressed when a young boy is able to
that our time together is not a religious service, but rather a stand in front of the entire camp and express thanks to his
time for our entire community to slow down, come together,
and reflect on the week that has just passed
and the opportunities that
counselors for his experiences at Chewonki.