Night Rides
Bicycling to the Hunt Farm, across the road from Gwynn Valley, is a favorite evening
activity for many campers. The trail itself is only mildly bumpy, arching along the borders of a
farm field, with a final merge with the bank of French Broad River. Softening of evening light
seems to quiet the train of bikers. Nature is more visible and accessible. Bicycles are
surrendered near the river, and campers venture to the edge. And then in. Some children wade
to a mid-calf depth, while some enter the current and are ferried a short distance downstream.
The dance of a flowing river allows calming of the mind and body. “I feel totally different, like
in a different place,” remarks a nine-year-old girl. Reticent to leave, our group lingers in the
field…eyes turned to the sunset and the emergence of night sounds. Time for the 30-minute
journey bike ride to camp.
Almost back to cabins. Bicycles stop suddenly, the air suffused with excited whispers from
campers…the fireflies in the gatehouse green have begun their frenetic blinking. Small hands
attempt to capture these small living lanterns. The kids skip in erratic circles with this goal in
mind. It seems a commonality with children and adults, this joy of fireflies and temporary light.
The many natural wonders of camp.
Following the firefly pause, the children are catalyzed to move a bit faster. Bicycles are
hurriedly return to their stalls. Children are quickly returned to their cabins, and preparations for
sleep begins. Rose Bud Thorn spark conversation, giving focus and hopefully clarity to very busy
days. Flashlight time prompts more settling, and for counselors more stillness in the children.
Like the light of the firefly, beams slowly retreat into darkness. Sleep. Another day soon.
A simple evening bicycle ride to the river introduces so many simple wonders. The
friction of bike tires over uneven surfaces. The everchanging sunset, usually a palate of orange
and red scatter through distant clouds. A singular deer in a farm field, staring warily at campers
as the stare is returned. The flow of a river, echoing the passage of time itself. With all this
grandeur, perhaps the tiny firefly is the most allegorical for the importance of camp in a child’s
mind now…and throughout life. Inevitably, as children age, memories of this special place fade.
But at times, perhaps when needed most, the luminesce of a memory of a time at camp appears.
The memory may calm a mind which must live in a chaotic world. Possibly it allows a person to
wander in a field of happy memories and consider a time which was simpler. And maybe that
makes all the difference.
