Today I left Camp Strawderman to travel to the next camp.
By the end of the four days I had learned every staff members name, I was singing camp songs in my head and I had just mastered the art of using the John (toilet in a shed, very rustic!). I didn’t want to leave.
Here are some parting Camp Notes from my time there.
I cried tears of joy more times than I can count over the past four days. It’s hard to put into words just how magical it is to hear a group of girls singing in a chapel, or to witness the vibrant energy of 92 girls singing silly camp songs at the top of their lungs.
Strawderman seeks out every opportunity to ensure it becomes each camper’s favourite place to be and I drank the kool-aid and felt it for myself. The leadership values from the hands of the director make this place what it is - which is a loving, hand-holding, shoulder-leaning, laughter-filled, joyful space. I felt so honoured to be there and was completely enchanted by their magic.
The world needs more CAMP. These raw moments I am able to capture feel cinematic. These are frames that you don’t get to see in the outside world. Pictures of girls doing nothing but making friendship bracelets, blowing bubbles, painting nails, telling stories, being silly, learning together and growing together.
Strawderman is beautifully rustic. I was really drawn to their cabin layouts and these amazing porches that the girls would gather around in the evening and between activities.
On Sundays uniforms are worn all day. Strawderman’s colours are green and white.
Riding is a very popular activity at Strawderman. This was something that made Strawderman stand out to me when I was selecting camps for this project. The remaining camps I’m featuring are more water sport focused and most are on the shores of a lake. Strawderman offers a very different landscape and I loved it!!
That is all for now!
To those reading this from Camp Strawderman - I miss you all!!
**To photographer friends following, I need your advice:
As you know I’m photographing A LOT on analogue film. Image below featuring all the film I shot in 4 days for Strawderman, 20 rolls. Whoops!
Originally the plan was to keep all the film through out the trip and count my lucky stars that TSA kindly hand checks it all. But if I’m shooting an average of 20 rolls of film a camp, that is 100 rolls. I can’t imagine TSA being too thrilled with me, so I’m considering sending some of it via DHL to my lab in Spain. Thoughts anyone? Do I do it, or just keep it with me and try my luck with TSA?
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