09/07/2026
LINK TO VIDEO is in the FIRST COMMENT BELOW!
Still Water Summer Camp 2026 at UUSD.
Thank you to all the volunteers who made this camp possible. Special thanks to Warren Bouton for photographing the camp days and to Alleane Taylor for putting this video together for us to enjoy!
A WEEK OF INTERCONNECTEDNESS
One Week. Many Experiences. One Connection.
Through art, music, dance, nature, mindfulness, building, problem-solving, and play, the campers discovered that we are connected – to ourselves, to one another, to our community, and to the world around us.
Each morning began with a warm welcome and time for open play, followed by a gathering in the Sanctuary where the children lit the chalice, created and reflected on a camp covenant, shared joys and concerns, and sang “Take the Fire!” As the week unfolded, one theme connected nearly everything the campers experienced.
Day 1: Creating, Dancing, and Discovering
After the opening activities, the campers were treated to an introduction to Irish Step Dancing from one of the CFE children who is a nationally ranked dancer. With guidance from Cheri and friends, construction began on a lemonade stand. To get ready to paint the lemonade stand, the children mixed the paint by rolling it down a ramp. In the afternoon, the campers painted message rocks – some to keep as personal reminders and some to share with the wider UUSD community.
Day 2: Mindfulness, Music, and Perseverance
After open play and chapel, Skye gave a lesson on First Aid. In the afternoon, the campers learned about Indigenous people and
tackled coaster making with Isaac. It wasn’t easy! But that became part of the lesson – when something is difficult, we can problem-solve, keep trying, help one another, and sometimes discover something even better than we originally planned. Work continued on building the lemonade stand.
Day 2: West African Ritual
Led by Mac and Susan . . . In West Africa there is a belief that wooden carved stools have significant importance – especially those owned by royalty. As such there is a concern that spirits both good and bad may reside there. So, when we acquire a stool and if we are royalty, we must be cautious. We royalty perform a ritual to make sure that any spirits that may reside in a newly acquired stool are sent away. Without touching the stool, we feed and give drink to any spirit that might be present. We pour a drink, water, soda, etc. and throw a raw egg saying: “Take this food and drink and leave.” We do this three times. The spirits are all gone!
Day 3: Sharing Our Light
The final morning began with a particularly meaningful chalice lighting. Maureen led the campers into the fascinating world of butterflies, and the campers visited the UUSD Wildflower Garden. Greer followed with drum making and drumming, a joyful way to create and make music together. The children and youth then painted the lemonade stand. Still Water Summer Camp concluded with a UU Values Scavenger Hunt led by Betty and volunteers bringing together who the campers had explored throughout the week.
