Published: August 14, 2008 08:30 am         

Kids spend week at camp

By MICHELLE MILLER

Staff Writer

CHERRY VALLEY- Recently, 14 campers from several different school districts within the area were able to come to Hawk Circle Wilderness Education free of charge through a scholarship provided by ONC BOCES CROP program. The kids were all smiles as they shared their experiences while attending the camp.

Logan Pasa, of Harpersfield, said he had learned a lot while attending camp. He said he learned about different kinds of animals and plants and learned a new game called “scout.” He said he also enjoyed the food served at the camp.

Tanner Murphey, of Worcester, said he enjoyed leaning how to carve bowls and spoons. He also said he enjoyed his time spent in the woods because it got him away from his parents.

Ellen Fargo, of Edmeston, was the only girl among the young campers. However, she was holding her own and keeping up with the boys in the wilderness. Fargo said she likes learning about nature, and the camp was a good place to do that. She also said she liked learning how to carve spoons and bowls.

Berry picking, walks and hiking were among Michael Finch’s favorite activities while attending camp. Finch, who is from Hallcottsville, said he especially enjoyed swamp walking.

Wolfgang Clements, of Edmeston, said he learned a new game called “the blind caterpillar” while at camp. He said he and the other children got in a line while blindfolded and the students held onto one another’s shoulders in the dark while the person in front lead the line. Clements said the game made the kids learn to trust one another. Clements said he also enjoyed learning how to make crafts and learning how to carve things out of wood.

Michael Cammer, of Jefferson, said his favorite activity while attending the camp was learning about edible plants. Alex Kingsbury, of Worcester, said they were able to have a fire every night. Other activities the students said they enjoyed included mud fights, squirrel wars, and eating things they found in the woods.

The young campers were able to enjoy the wild outdoors at Hawk Circle for a week, and then it was back to reality.

Hawk Circle Wilderness Programs began in 1989 as a one-week camp experience for teens in the Upper Hudson Valley. In 1997, the program moved to Cherry Valley, where it is now situated on approximately 200 acres of woods, meadows and wetlands on an old farmstead off state Highway 166. Hawk Circle offers programs for kids, adults, school groups, college semesters, teachers and mentors. Most of the activity happens in the summer, but there are fall programs and a winter program offered, according to Ricardo Sierra, founder and executive director of the camp.

To learn more about the programs offered and the camp itself, visit hawkcircle. com.