Camp Augusta

https://campaugusta.org/welcome-avery-to-the-augusta-family/

https://campaugusta.org/welcome-katie-curry-to-the-augusta/

3 months and 3 days till summer...but first a bit of snow

Introducing Annie: Hola! Sawatdee kha! Yassas! That's "hello" in some of the languages spoken in places I've lived in over the last few years, and now I'm so excited that my next stop on the globe is Camp Augusta. My name is Annie Waschko and I can't wait to join your lovely community as Oak Village Leader this summer! I love cats, goats, and raccoons and I'm always ready to share and learn fun animal facts - stop me whenever you see me and we'll trade! (Did you know kinkajous can rotate their feet so they can run both forwards and backwards?) I'm so looking forward to experiencing and sharing all the magic of camp and getting to know each and every one of you!

Hey Augustans!! I’m Sam(antha), and you probably don’t recognize me because we’ve never actually met? Summer 2020 was supposed to be my first introduction to Manzi village and the wood chips, but alas, the world went crazy. I know that finally seeing the magical wondrous Augustan woods will be well worth the wait. I know, going into this upcoming summer, we will be even more grateful to spend time together... I just can’t wait to meet you!! This summer, I learned to braid, ...(very very very beginner) surf, play guitar, and I hiked lots with my dad. I also got quite good at baking bread, chalk-ing our backyard, embroidering random cloths, and taking pictures of the sky! Not what I had planned, but spending more time in Los Angeles (where I’m from) with my family was perfect. In August, I returned to Massachusetts as a sophomore in college to study chemistry, philosophy, and a bit of German. Its full-on winter here, so you can imagine I’m taking every chance to sled and build snowmen. I love being here, but after over a year of learning the Augustan ways, I’m more than ready to finally surround myself in the Wish, Wonder, and Surprise that I’ve heard so much about. We’re almost there! Sam

A Note From Alysha: Hello, fellow woodchip dwellers! How are you? What have you been up to? I know this summer wasn’t exactly what either of us had planned, but I’m sure you’ve found lots of ways to create wish, wonder and surprise this summer! Here’s a short summary of what my summer looked like.... I travelled to Paris for the first time before the UK went into lockdown during which I worked in an Amazon warehouse (what a cool experience that was!). I became a Godmother, hiked and camped with my family, kayaked with dolphins, travelled to Lisbon, and spent a looooot of time with my cat. Now, I’m at university, studying maths, learning French, playing rugby, rock climbing, and learning to code! I’m realllllly looking forward to hanging out on the hammocks in Manzi Village, chasing y’all with pool noodles, hearing terrifying screams from Tiny Swing, camp-fire skits, sppoooky Story Experiences and Oakzanita! What are you looking forward to next summer? See you soon! Alysha

A note from our kitchen managers Kevin and Rose Hey Augustans! We definitely missed having real live camp with all of you guys this summer, and are very much looking forward to 2021. That said, we have been pretty busy ourselves this year. Not only did we move to camp last fall, but we added a baby and another dog to our household as well! Saoirse was born in February and Trina (the brown dog in the the pics) arrived in April. Wayne has been a champ in adapting to his new com...panions, and enjoying all camp has to offer in this (lengthy) offseason. We’re on our toes chasing all three of our quadrapeds, as well as running a pop up restaurant in town and helping our friends with their restaurants here and there. We also took an infant on a national park roadtrip! Super excited to see and feed all of you next year, we’re working to make the menu better than ever! Trina Update: We recently found Trina her forever home that she absolutely loves although we will miss the joy that she brought to Camp in the quiet months

A note from Neerav: Hi Everyone, Hope this message finds you well during these times. This summer has been very slow and relaxed for me without running from one clinic to another, playing campfire games, PlayStation, PlayStation sells skit and everything else. This is the first time in 7 years that I am in Mumbai for the entire summer.... During this time, I am learning to cook some new south and west Indian recipes, exercising to stay fit, and spending time with my nephew. Miss you all and can’t wait to meet all of you in 2021.

A note from Chandler: Hey Camp friends! I miss you all tremendously!... I’ve spent a lot of time on the wood chips since I last saw you all, and even had an Augusta-style Vegan Great British Bake-off birthday party with my pal, James! On July 4th, I got a new family member - the illustrious small dog, Raspberry! Right now I’m home in Massachusetts, visiting my family. Raspberry and I saw 5 National Parks as we road-tripped home. Check out the picture of us at Acadia National Park! Right now I’m teaching wilderness homeschool and taking psychology classes to finish my degree. And don’t worry - there’s a lot of Augusta magic in my life. I’ve walked on stilts, taught ancient weaponry, and my brother and I have played more Star Realms than I knew was possible. I can’t wait to see you all back on the wood chips!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays and a camp-filled new year.

A note from Cat and Matthew:

A note from Deb-deb (AKA Debbie the Great):

Raise your hand if you are ready for Summer 2021!!! We are so ready, we are jumping into our registration process early. Submit an interest form to grab a spot today! campaugusta.org/summer/camper-interest

It’s not too late! Be a Camp Augusta Lifesaver and help us fly this summer. Use the donate button in our bio or go to campaugusta.org/gifts to donate today.

The Augusta Office Elves are so excited about Summer 2021, we decided to start our registration process early this year! We are already enrolling campers and spots are filling up fast! Have you submitted your Interest Form yet?! Click Here!!! --> campaugusta.org/summer/camper-interest/

A Note From Francis: Sending lots of warmth your way from Dublin, Ireland (not actual warmth because the winters here be bloody chilly!). I hope you’re all well and keeping safe in these unusual times. It has certainly been odd this year, not being able to visit my woodchip-laden home away from home. I miss the connections and bonds formed each night during Embers, the mania of the EP’s, the banter in the clinics and the many laughs and memories grown during a summer at Augus...ta. And of course, I miss the furry critters of PandA! As mentioned, I’m back home in Ireland. The free time afforded by these days has allowed me to explore more of my hobbies (woodburning has become a new favourite), devour some books and swim as much as I can. I’ve also become fascinated with learning about herbs and nature so who knows, maybe I’ll finally give Herbal Medicine a go in the future! And of course, I’ve been able to spend more quality time with me auld pup Dave he’s been extremely happy with the extra tug of war time recently! I mean, look at that face! As we come to the end of Autumn and move towards Winter, I can’t help but miss the preparation for returning to Augusta that usually starts around this time of year. Not to mention the excitement shared discussing with the counsellors about all of the new crazy wakeups and wacky cabin activity ideas we’ve been cooking up for the coming summer! Although travelling seems to be so uncertain these days, I’m hoping that I’ll at least get to pop in for a visit next summer and join in the celebrations of Augusta’s 90th Year! But for now I wish you all the best of luck and hope you can make it back this year - you’ve got two summers of fun to cram into one, we’re counting on you!!! See you all soon! Francis

Today is the day! #GivingTuesday! Be a Camp Augusta Lifesaver by donating today. With your help, we will return in 2021 with more exciting adventures than ever, because we are stronger together. Use the donate button in our bio or go to campaugusta.org/gifts to donate.

We are called to make a difference in the lives of children by fostering wish, wonder, and surprise; a few things we think everyone could use right now. Be a Camp Augusta Lifesaver on #GivingTuesday (December 1st) and help us make that difference. Your donation on Instagram, Facebook, or our website will be so impactful. We are just a few days away!! . . .... . . #CampAugusta #NonProfit #SummerCamps #donate #GiveBack #WishWonderSurprise #lifesaver See more

THANK YOU! Ahead of #GivingTuesday on December 1st, we’re practicing gratitude. We are so grateful for all of our donors, our families, our campers, and our staff. We wouldn’t be here without all of your lifesaving support. We are grateful for the time we’ve shared around the campfire and cannot wait for more. ... Do you have memories from camp that you are grateful for? Send us a drawing or letter (or get creative!!) at [email protected]. We will share them this week! campaugusta.org/gifts #campaugusta #summercamps #wishwondersurprise #donate #giveback #nonprofit #lifesaver

The air is getting crisp and we are dreaming of summer 2021. Reserve your spot around the campfire today! Until then, stay cozy

It’s here! Missing the the smell of the woodchips? The sound of birds & crickets in the morning? And the sight of hundreds of adults and children playing in the woods? We have the solution for you: Build.Your.Own Family Camp! ... Find the perfect weekend and use these resources to create an Augusta family camp in your backyard! From recipes for the food you know and love, to lessons of your favorite clinics -- we wanted to share some of the magic with you. We can’t wait to see how you create your own Augustan magic at home. A heart gift from us to you- pitch your tents and collect your favorite s’mores fillings! https://campaugusta.org/byofamilycamp/

Coming soon to your backyard... Build Your Own Family Camp! Tune into our blog on Friday where we’ll share the recipes and how-to’s for everything from juggling lessons to making your own green goddess salad dressing. We can’t wait to see how you create your own Augustan magic at home. A heart gift from us to you, pitch your tents and collect your favorite s’mores fillings! We’ll see you around the campfire.

As many of you already know, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all of our 2020 programming. We were hopeful that we would only have to cancel part of the summer. As the weeks went on, it became clear that it would not be safe for us to run in person camp this year. There are so many things we will miss, the laughter and joy and play that normally fill the forest. As sad as we are not to share in all the wish, wonder and surprise with you, we know we will once aga...in gather ‘round the campfire in summers to come. Thank you for sharing the supportive messages and memories many of you have sent us over the past few weeks. And, in an effort to keep the Augusta magic alive, stay tuned for virtual fun bringing Augusta magic to your homes and backyards VERY soon. This is goodnight and not goodbye.. A Letter from the Director (https://campaugusta.org/about/eap/) A Letter to Our Campers (https://campaugusta.org/about/eap/campers/)

Please enjoy this tale of yore, with a new twist you may have heard before. Counselor Josh recounts the story, of a little lass who takes all the glory.. And a family of bears who went out for a stroll, to come home to a mess and an empty bowl. Discover more stories, crafts, and Camp Augusta Magic at our blog: campaugusta.org/blog #campaugusta #wishwondersurprise #summercamp2020 #createtoexplore #homeed #freeresources #keepcreating #learningtogether #childledlearning #wildschooling #wondermore

Join Nick as he shares another of Augusta’s foundational philosophies: 100% Responsibility. The practice of taking ownership of your actions, your perceptions, and your life. You can see Nick's whole article at: campaugusta.org/100-responsibility #campaugusta #wishwondersurprise #selfcare #summercamp2020 #createtoexplore #outdooreducation #freeresources #meaningoflife #wordstoponder #wordsthatinspire #instawisdom #wondermore

Introducing... the 2020 Manzi Village Counselors! #campaugusta #wishwondersurprise #summercamp2020 #createtoexplore #lifebeyond9to5 #learningtogether #choosemountains #optoutside #wondermore #magicmakers #campstaff

Happy Earth Day friends! Now more than ever, it feels appropriate to share some love and gratitude with each other and the Earth. At Camp we do this with a ‘Whoosh’... our way of sending and receiving happy thoughts, love, and positive vibes. #campaugusta #wishwondersurprise #summercamp2020 #createtoexplore #outdooreducation #freeresources #meaningoflife #wordstoponder #wordsthatinspire #instawisdom #wondermore

During this time of isolation, uncertainty, and well, perhaps a little stir craziness, it is important for us all to prioritize our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. As staff, we are lovers of play and the great outdoors and many of us are struggling to find ways to connect to those passions. That’s why we thought we’d share a little piece from our Augusta Toolkit with all of you. Join Nick, as he walks through one of our favorite practices: self-care. View the entire article and guides on our blog: campaugusta.org/self-care/ #campaugusta #wishwondersurprise #selfcare #summercamp2020 #createtoexplore #outdooreducation #freeresources #meaningoflife #wordstoponder #wordsthatinspire #instawisdom #wondermore

The time is three o’clock and we can taste the watermelon and smell the popcorn Is it snack time yet? Yes! Follow along with Kevin as he shows us how to make some Camp Augusta popcorn. #campaugusta #wishwondersurprise #summercamp2020 #createtoexplore #homeed #outdooreducation #consciouseating #nourishingfood #nourishyourbody #eatforhealth #wildschooling

Thank you for the requests to share how flicker is played. Enjoy a Camp Augusta guitar clinic from the comfort of your home, as Ieuan and Ko teach you how to play Flicker on guitar. Full lesson on our blog at: https://campaugusta.org/flicker/ Have anything you’d like to see on our social media pages? Send us a message and we’ll see what we can do!... #campaugusta #wishwondersurprise #summercamp2020 #createtoexplore #outdooreducation #keepcreating #childledlearning #homeed #wondermore #wildschooling #quarantunes

We are thrilled to announce that Matthew will be hosting a live reading of his new children’s book: The Borgons Visit Earth! This is a story that many of our campers and staff will fondly remember being told at Storytelling during the summer, and now you can recreate (or discover) the fantastical tale of the Borgons, right from your living room! The Borgons Visit Earth tells the surrealist story of an intergalactic meeting of humans and Borgons a peaceful race of aliens o...n the planet Earth. Amidst the gathering, King Borgon finds himself hungry, and seeks out the ‘tastiest treats’ that the Earth has to offer. What ensues is a story of uncommon perspective, of excitement and surprise of silence and gravitas. And ending in a space of awe, wonder, and aliveness for our mother Earth. Want your own copy of "The Borgons Visit Earth"? You can contact Matthew directly at [email protected] to receive your own signed edition. After years of telling this story all over the world (and Camp!), Matthew started the journey to turn this tale into a book for all to share. After a very successful kickstarter campaign, The Borgons Visit Earth is now a real life book, paired with the masterful art work of another Incredible Augustan, Greta. So get the hot chocolate ready (don’t forget the tiny marshmallows), cuddle up (but also stay 6ft away), and enjoy hearing this otherworldly adventure as the talented author takes the (virtual) stage! This Reading will take place on Friday, April 17th, at 3pm PST.

Attention all puzzlers: Ronnie needs your help! He has been trapped for weeks and has finally unearthed the code for his release. Post your answer in the comments and share with your friends. Help us solve the puzzle and free Ronnie before it is too late! #campaugusta #wishwondersurprise #summercamp2020 #createtoexplore #optoutside #homeed #wildschooling #playbasedlearning #freeresources #outdooreducation #freeresources

Dear campers, parents, staff, friends, and to all who viewed our Virtual Campfire on Monday eveningThank you! Whether it was through skits, fire spinning, or joining in together for a round of Flicker we hope you felt connected to your Camp Augusta community and enjoyed your sojourn into the magic of camp. If you were unable to make it Monday night or you’d like to see your favorite skit again, you can still view the campfire anytime on our Augusta Blog page: campaugusta....org/virtual-campfire/ And, for your next adventure Tune in this Friday for a LIVE Storytelling event with former Cedar Counselor, Village leader, and current CIRCLE leader, Matthew! He will be reading his recently published story The Borgons Visit Earth - LIVE from 3:00-3:30 PST on Friday, April 17th.