The Magic of Council Fire

July 23, 2025

As I write this blog, we have been blessed with our third consecutive gorgeous day here along the shores of Mother Tarleton. After dinner yesterday, we took a show of hands for those campers who wished to do the Lake Swim on the morrow, and the requisite numbers were met at once. We anticipated a calm lake for today and were rewarded for our keen meteorological skills, albeit those honed over decades of running camp at this location. (Photos should appear later on in the albums.)

With a teeming population of campers, many of them new to Kingswood, we deemed it appropriate to gather as a full community at the council circle last evening at dusk. First order of business was to define “council” and spell it. For the native inhabitants in these parts, the council fire was both a sacred meeting and one that could spell the difference between life and death for the tribe.

Given that explanation, the boys are expected to sit quietly and gaze at the fire, or the lake, or the mountains or the skies, all of which were tranquil last evening.  I informed those little kids that they could, indeed, sit in front of the benches so long as zero effort was made to play with the pea stones or flick small sticks into the blaze. I got 100% cooperation.

Rob, Mike and I were not so much telling stories as simply providing loads of information about Kingswood and its unique setting amidst truly unsettled lands, most of which are part of the White Mountain National Forest. Then the loons started hollering back and forth from quite a way apart and we had to order complete silence to listen to their chatter. A wonderful moment!

Four musical renditions from our talented staff (plus Oliver B.) followed by Klaus teaching the campers the Kingswood council fire song, and a slow dismissal where boys quietly head up the hill to bed – all made for a relatively late night.

There are some new add-ons to the counselor photo album of the week. Mt. Cardigan is our easiest hike and even with a mild burden (we are honest with the kids,) this very flat and rocky summit is achievable. Two other hikes are off the grounds as I write these words, one  just now off to Moosilauke, the dominant vista from the Kingswood shoreline, and the other doing a marathon trek in the Southern Presidential Range. Later this morning, a third hike will conquer the sporty Mt. Cube, not far from camp and one with the sparkling quartz summit.

Lastly, feast your eyes on Sara’s album, posted shortly ago, containing  professional quality photographs as well as providing for your entertainment a very good look at Kingswood as it appeared on that sparkler of a day!