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Here we prepare to go to the special ceremony set up for our graduation...we are holding torches we had made by cutting down sapplings, putting a roll of TP on one end, wapping the TP in black burlap and plenty of twine, and then soaking that end in karosene all night...they're lots of fun to make and burn well...the next day we each sawed off about a foot of the non-karosene end, and scratched each of our new bird names in each piece so we could take them home and keep them...the ceremony is very special to all who graduate through it, and during that time we are given an opportunity to share our testimony after which the women we have chosen (who are usually mentors) give us a verse, put a special pin on our collars, and announce us to the camp with our new bird names...the torch symbolizes the passing of responisibilty in that they are lit by one of the senior staff. The closeness of the camp group allows for most girls to only invite parents and maybe close friends (ie, boyfriends...haha), but since most of those who would understand the honor of the ceremony are already there, not many more join...cake and punch are served afterwards for the older campers, graduates and visitors...campers that the graduates have spent co-counseling earlier in the week drop off home-made cards of congratulations |
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