The dancing flames. The crackling sounds. The radiant energy.
There’s something about a campfire that mesmerizes us. We stare into it for no particular reason. Anthropologists hypothesize that it’s an evolutionary thing, tracing back to prehistoric times. Back then sitting around the fire was for survival and perhaps even friendship. Scientists call it “Caveman TV”, and it’s been known to lower blood pressure.
Sitting around the fire is an essential at a Sky Pines Overnight. Each night a different cabin gets to go with Sid and Sam, our Outdoor Ed directors. After setting up the tents, they learn to build a fire and cook on the open flames. There’s plenty of time for fishing and playing in Trickey Pond. At night’s end there’s something about the magical flames that helps conversation to flow, and “the time we sat around the campfire at Sky Pines” is remembered forever.
Tonight’s Ring of Champions Campfire had beautiful flames, but this time the vibe was high energy, lively and dynamic. That’s because Cory is in charge.
Director Cory is one of those rare and amazing people who exudes positive energy wherever she goes. She’s fun, kind, creative and talented, and you can’t help but feel great around her. And… she leads a heck of a campfire for 400 people.
She has a phenomenal voice that carries beautifully, and she’s a master of the “repeat after me song”. She has this way of controlling the audience, where each person feels like they’re having an individual conversation with her, and all are enthralled. The boys were all-ears as she performed her “candy shop skit”, which included yanking some of the least-likely counselors to be part of her act.
DT had us all standing up and singing along with “Get on Out of My Burrito, Huh”. S’mores of course, and then here comes Adventure Man. Adventure Man visits each Campfire and teaches us all survival skills in a funny way.
Rems, Suds and Tate sang “Waiting on the World to Change”. Rems was especially impressive on the guitar. No one tells the guys to lock arms and sway, but it’s one of those things that happen here. Especially when you stare into the Caveman TV.
