Recently, I had the good fortune to take my youngest grandson camping for his first time (definitely one of the blessings of aging). As I watched him throw rocks in the river I began to reminisce about my own childhood. I drew up some of my earliest memories, crawling under bushes, climbing a white pine tree, fishing and my first time camping… I was 4 years old. I built a tent out of cardboard boxes and old army blankets in my backyard. I asked my parents if I could spend the night in it and they let me! Of course that was 1961 and times were different than they are now, but my parents allowed me to camp out, not because they were indifferent to my well being, but because they trusted me. It’s an interesting concept trusting a 4 year old.
Trust is elusive, pensive, individualistic, and easily eroded. My parents trusted me because they knew that I was capable of the task before me. I had set an example, through my actions, that gave them confidence that I would be alright.
At Turtle Island we have many foundational truths that govern and direct the essence of our programs. At first glance it may appear that we are teaching something simple, like a thrusting spear, or a poplar bark basket, but with further inspection it will become apparent that what we are teaching is much deeper, much more essential to our shared humanness.
Today in the garden, my hand in my youngest grandson’s hand, we worked the earth and sowed seeds that will feed us through the fall and winter, but I like to believe that we also sowed seeds that will become foundational in his life forever…I hope that Turtle Island has, likewise, done the same for each of you. It’s this singular thing that brings me back into folds of camp again and again, and again.
I hope to share a fire with you soon,
Preston
Still Learnin’
Trust is elusive, pensive, individualistic, and easily eroded. My parents trusted me because they knew that I was capable of the task before me. I had set an example, through my actions, that gave them confidence that I would be alright.
At Turtle Island we have many foundational truths that govern and direct the essence of our programs. At first glance it may appear that we are teaching something simple, like a thrusting spear, or a poplar bark basket, but with further inspection it will become apparent that what we are teaching is much deeper, much more essential to our shared humanness.
Today in the garden, my hand in my youngest grandson’s hand, we worked the earth and sowed seeds that will feed us through the fall and winter, but I like to believe that we also sowed seeds that will become foundational in his life forever…I hope that Turtle Island has, likewise, done the same for each of you. It’s this singular thing that brings me back into folds of camp again and again, and again.
I hope to share a fire with you soon,
Preston
Still Learnin’