Ellie Hetebrij, The Photographer: Camp fires and Overnights

''If there were witchcraft,

I'd make two wishes

A winding trail that beckons me to roam.

And then I'd wish for a blazing campfire

To welcome me when I'm returning home.

'

Part of Fernwood Cove's version of Witchcraft

Campfires: not a uncommon occurrence in the Ordinary world, but there is something a little more extraordinary about a campfire when it’s enclosed by at least 300 screaming, shouting and chanting voices. Parents have been known to describe campfires as the answer, the answer to what you ask, well the question in their mind is why? Why do their girls want to return year after year, to what is essentially a large plot of land, with a lake and several shack like buildings, describing camp like this I'm sure you, yourself wonder why, but I can honestly tell you that there is something indescribable about the atmosphere created when the camp fire is surrounded by campers and the flames when that camp fire roars.

In a way the camp fire embodies the entire camp spirit, a circle when completely intact is never ending, nothing can get in and nothing can get out, creating what is basically a safe haven, a creative area illuminated by the natural beauty of the flames, where the energy is alive and more powerful than any song played by any electrical device could ever be (yes even 'Apple' or 'Beats') a place where the songs can be about anything from hammering, teapots, how jelly wobbles, or even travelling around the world (baby 1,2,3) a place where your bum is never on your seat, you arms will be flailing about and your throat will be sore from all the screaming but mostly and most cheesy of them all a place where everyone is a kid again dancing about but most of all smiling.