Sorry, no Question of the Day today!

TAJAR TALES TONIGHT

     THE LODGE - Tonight's Campfire is all about the Tajar. If you've been wondering just who this fellow is, our Campfire tonight should tell you everything you need to know about the Tajar.
     Who knows? Maybe the Tajar will be there, too? Be sure to look around for that Tajar. He likes to hide in high places so look in the trees and the rafters!

THE TAJAR IS IMPORTANT

     FRONT PORCH - by Heath Grady, Age 6, Primaveira - The Tajar is really important. If you see him, don't tell anyone else.
     I wish I knew where his treehouse was.

DUKE'S HOUSE

     FRONT PORCH - by Kelsey Supple, Age 7, Playhouse - Duke has his own mailbox and his own door, a small door!
     Duke is a mouse. He has a black nose. He likes the color blue. I think he likes the food that is here. He even has a welcome sign.
     He has a big room. It has chairs and tables. He is a cute mouse, I think. He has a cute house. I like it.

REST HOUR RULES

     THE FRONT PORCH - by William Nicolson, Age 9, Raccoon Ridge - You are not allowed to talk at Rest Hour. You can read a book or write a letter. But never talk.
     I read books and I write letters, but I never talk. I draw pictures. Do you draw pictures or read a book or write letter?
     Also, please don't play your violin, tuba or electric guitar. You shouldn't do back flips either.

GWYNN VALLEY HORSES

     THE FRONT PORCH - article and artwork by Julia Selman, Age 7, Playhouse - Our horses are very special to us. The eat about 2 times a day.
     Some are black, brown and white. Some have spots, some don't. They are cleaned. Campers like to ride them.

THANKS FOR AUSTRALIAN DAY

     THE FRONT PORCH - Many thanks to everyone who helped make Australian Day so special! It was a lot of hard work and we learned a lot about this great country. When you see the Ozzys today, be sure and thank them for Australian Day.

AMAZING VIEWS

     GATEHOUSE - by Lydia Makepeace, Age 10, Rosebay - Have you ever seen something that made you excited, amazed and happy at the same time?
     Well, if you go beside the Camp Library, which in the Gatehouse next to the Office, in the room beside the Library on the west wall, there is a huge window overlooking the entrance to camp.
     You can look out to the beautiful mountains and trees or watch the archers having fun.

WHERE'D THIS COME FROM?

     THE FARM - by George Murnane, 10, Chestnut Hollow - Look at your dinner closely. See carrots? Most likely they came from the Garden of Gwynn Valley.
     Gwynn Valley grows vegies on its Farm.

Interview With The Tajar
article and artwork by Cameron Seitzman, Age 10, Possum Manor

REPORTER: Hello, Mister Tajar!
TAJAR: Hello! How did you find  me?
REPORTER: I won't tell or everybody will know where you live.
TAJAR: Good idea!
REPORTER: Do you like living here?
TAJAR: Yes, I do!
REPORTER: Do you like anything special about Gwynn Valley?
TAJAR: It's very pretty here.
REPORTER: Do you do anything at night?
TAJAR: I dance in the moonlight and I look in the cabins once in a while.
REPORTER: Do you have a favorite food?
TAJAR: I like tea, fish and doughnuts.
REPORTER: Do you like us being here?
TAJAR: Yes! You made a ball named after me and you named the camp newspaper after me.
REPORTER: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
TAJAR: Here at Gwynn Valley!
REPORTER: Thank you for talking with me.
TAJAR: You're welcome.

The Tajar Song
by Keaton Grady, Age 9, Raccoon Ridge

Oh, there was a creature,
   There he is!
What did he look like?
   I forgot!
It must be the Tajar,
   Hmmm . . .

Rainy Day
by Jack Duffy, Age 9, Raccoon Ridge

Rain, rain, it is a pain!
    I look out the window pane,
Against the door is a cane,
   Rain swishes down the
   lane.

Squeaky Clean
by RB and Duke

     By now you know all about my pet mouse, Duke. You know how he is always taking naps. You know how he is the kind of mouse who would rather snooze away the morning than even take a shower.
     Well, good news, because Duke won't need to take a shower for a long time. He won't need to take a shower until the smell starts to go away.
     You see, the other day Duke wanted to snooze some place different for a change. Marty said he saw Duke heading towards the Bong Tree. Joe passed Duke on the path and he said my pet mouse looked sleepy.
     So it all makes sense, at least the way I heard it. Because it seems Duke wandered up to the Bong Tree and curled up in a little cup for a nap. Big mistake!
     I guess Duke forgot that Laurie and Jane were making soap in the Bong Tree with a bunch of campers. They made soap all right but something terrible happened when Laurie loaned a bar of soap to Jess. It was a bar of soap with a tail!
     Somehow Duke was napping in the cup where the campers poured the soap to make their bars. My pet mouse was stuck inside a bar of soap and Jess was about to use it when she noticed the tail sticking out. I heard that she chucked that soap into the woods as far as she could throw it. Laurie had to search through the leaves to find it.
     Well, Duke was ok, but a little shook up about the whole thing. Now he smells like a fancy handkerchief but I think that will keep him out of the Bong Tree for awhile.
     As for the rest of us, I think there's an important lesson to be learned: check your soap before you start washing. If it has a tail, please bring it to me right away and I'll see what I can do.
     As for Duke, he said he was going to help Dan The Mountain Bike Man fix a couple bicycles. I think he wants to get some grease on him to mix with the fancy smell.
      And that's the way it is with Duke.