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.

The Fire Pit up at Table Top Rock, one of Fernwood Cove's in Camp overnight locations. Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014 

The Flames Roaring against the Logs, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014 

The Flames, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014 

The Fire Pit, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014 

The Flames flickering on, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

As the fire starts to grow, as the flames start to spread, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014 

The Flames Roar, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ PHOTOGRAPHY

The Bunk Line

Its not as if I've always lived in a picturesque location or woken up with breathtaking views, after all I’m originally from the grimy skyline that makes up Reading, England. However I have always loved being outdoors and my desire to travel and explore was only heightened when I moved to the beautiful seaside town of Falmouth, England.

Having spent the previous two years of my life with the sea at my fingertips, I guess you could say I was kind of worried about the camp I'd be placed at, I had hoped from the beginning of my application process that I would be placed in a part of the States that would be new to me (unknown territory and all that) and preferably not a touristy part, as anyone I’m sure knows, you don't always get a true feel for a country or a culture when you are in the middle of tourist land.

Maine with its tagline 'Vacationland' is littered with Camps some of which are literally just off roadside, (perhaps ruining not only the idealistic scenery that  I had in mind but also the idea of being isolated in the wilderness). However and perhaps you will consider me to be wrapped up within the location and the whole idea of camp but no amount of describing words or even pictures (they do say a picture can say a 1000 words) will justify how thankful I am for the Zipcode 04040 and the 200 odd acres that makes up the 'Cove'

Think about the setting of Disney's 1998 hit Parent Trap and you've pretty much got not only the basic design of the 'Cove' but the concept itself. A safe haven for girls aged between seven and fifteen and perhaps the Counsellors as well, the 'Cove' provided an environment where girls of all backgrounds but mostly those of a privileged one (I'm talking the children of movie directors, producers and more) to come and be well, extraordinary by  being ordinary. I’m talking traditional and simple living, no electronics, no light switches, no designer labels, no social media, I mean imagine a society where you had to sit and talk to each other, you couldn't rely on plugging yourself in to your Ipod or Game console to entertain yourself, instead you had each others company, the power of imagination and simple resources to keep the boredom away.

This thought may scare you. I guess at first it did and upon first reading that the bunks were without electricity I did think what have I got myself into, due to my profession and I guess you could say my generation spend a lot of time using the internet and social media and yet I have chosen to spend my summer, my time off, in a place where the only way to see in the dark is my torch, the main way I keep in touch with family and friends is by letters and my evening entertainment was either my fellow Counsellors making a fool out of themselves or the kids showcasing one of their many 'talents'.

However I wouldn't swap my simple summer for anything, I have grown use to using my torch to search the bunk for whatever I've misplaced, cheering and clapping along to support some supposedly talented child and not having a clue about who's dating who, what celebrity is falling out of which club and anything else that is going on in the Ordinary world.

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'Home is where the Cove is'

A camp quote

My Surroundings 

The seventeen bird themed bunks that adorn the 'Cove's bunk line centre around the Chickawah Theatre more commonly known as the Chick, Feeder and the flag pole (or Wanger Banger' detractor as it’s more commonly known)whilst the rest of the camp leads you down towards the piece de resistance, Island Pond itself, complete with swimming cribb, a pair of Jet Ski's, Canoes, Kayaks, Paddle Boards, Sail Boats and Pontoon Boat as well as the Island in the center of the lake inhabited by the so called crazy lady, who has been known to dump garden fences into the pond.

Both flags fly with pride on the flag pole, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

One of the many paths that lead down to the Waterfront, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The Bunk Line, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

Independence day bunk decorations, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

Fourth of July themed bunk line, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

Just like the Lion King and perhaps Mean Girls the Lake/ Watering Hole forms the centre of life at the 'Cove' a place where activities glide, sail and paddle gracefully amongst each other.

The Waterfront, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The waterfronr, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The Waterfront, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The waterfront at sunset, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The view back from the Cribb to Camp, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

Fear not if Watersports aren't your thing, then you could participate in Land Sports, Natural Horsemanship, Rhythmic and Competitive Gymnastics, Climbing, Ropes Course, Studio Arts, Creative Arts, Musical Theatre, Fabric Arts, Jewellery Making, Culinary Arts, Dance and Fitness, I mean I’m not sure you could think of a focus you couldn't take.

I can only dream of what it would of been like for the eight year old version of myself to have the opportunity to choose from all of these focuses let alone spend an hour everyday Wake boarding or learning how to make mugs on the wheel in ceramics. Not only does the camp plant and grow confidence within these girls, by the end of even the first week the change in confidence even in the most shy girls was noticeable with them performing in talent shows and performance nights, even as a nineteen year old getting up and performing in the staff skits (small plays) filled me with butterflies proving I still struggle with speaking in front of large audiences, even the idea of eight year old Ellie getting up and performing in front of her Camp mates and Counsellors and then living with them, having little

contact with her parents, for three and a half weeks still fills me with dread and yet these girls do it year after year and speak of how they spend the rest of their year looking forward to the three and a half weeks they spend in the free spirited environment that is the 'Cove'.

Arts and Crafts Buildings, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

Ceramics, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The Chickawah Theatre, that forms part of the center of Camp, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

From the Chick to the Feeder, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The Soccer Field, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

Just one of the Wilderness Trails, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The Camp Fire, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

 ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ

350 Island Pond Road

Previously I have given you an insight into my jobs as a Photography Counsellor and the work the girls produced during my time at Fernwood Cove, I would now like to give you a insight into Camp life itself. 

''Hey girl your a camper

get your Crocs on, go play

Hey now your counselor

get you boots on, get change

all that glitters is green

only Fernwood Cove is our home''

(to be sung to Smash Mouth's All Star, one of the many usual songs that has been adapted to suit camp life, other examples include The adams family theme tune, Sweet Caroline, The Flintstones theme tune, Jay z Forever Young and many more)

Down a normal road in Harrison Maine 04040 lies Island Pond Road, although it may appear to be just another side road, 350 Island Pond the 200 odd acre property at the end of it is anything but ordinary. Fernwood Cove formally Camp Chickawah is a traditional sleep away camp for girls.

During the summer, over both three and a half week sessions, the Camp comes alive with around 400 Campers, 130 odd staff members, around 17 horses, 2 Donkeys, 3 Sheep, a team of Pigs, a lot of chickens, 3 dogs and bunch of other wild critters. I was lucky enough to be able to experience camp life as a Camp Counselor and Bunk 'Mom'. Over the next couple of weeks I will be using the medium of Photojournalism to give an insight into traditional American Summer Camps, as well as my post camp travel and days off. 

350 Island Pond Road, (which according to the Sat Navs doesn't exist) is the home to Fernwood Cove, Extraordinary Summer Camp for Girls, formally Camp Chickawah. Harrison, Maine, June 2014 

The Directors often talk about the 'Threshold' and how we as Counselors are the 'Threshold Guardians' usually this is used to describe separating them from virtual outside influences such as Social Media, Trends and News  however it could also be used to describe the literal threshold between the Extraordinary, simple and traditional lifestyle we live within 350 Island Pond Road and the ordinary one we are part of in the real world , Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, 04040. June 2014

Island Pond, the Hub of Fernwood Cove, perhaps if we were in a Storybook or a Disney film we would describe it as the watering hole inwhich life revolves around however  in real life its just the pond (habited by the so called 'Crazy lady') that we go Sailing, Stand up Paddle boarding, Canoeeing, Kayaking, Swimming ,Wakeboaring and Waterskiing in. Fernwood Cove,  Harrison, Maine, 04040. June 2014

Island Pond, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, 04040, June 2014

The Island within Island Pond, Fernwood Cove, Harrison, Maine, 04040, June 2014

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ

Session 2; New and more organized Beginnings

With the end of first session leaving us with only three working cameras, the two day intersession proved a perfect time to get to grips with our three new Ebay purchased cameras ( a Minolta XGI, Minolta X300 and a Vivitar XV-3, adding to our Canon AE-1, Nikon FM10 and  three Vivitar XV-3).

In Fernwood Cove we love a  challenge and second hand cameras do love to provide one. 

Just like any second hand camera purchase, bearing in mind that most of these cameras are twenty plus years old, a lot of them come with a nearly broken this and a faulty that, and two of the new additions were no exception. Unfortunately both Minolta's came with broken winds , the X300 a semi automatic and slightly newer Minolta came with a common fault in the form of a broken capacitor, where according to the big wide web the only cure is to replace the electronics- which i'm sure is a more costly process than buying the camera itself. The XG-1 also had a broken wind as well as acid leak from the batteries (perhaps hinting that it probably wasn't in the good working condition that was implied in the purchase details). Although teaching a class of seven mixed aged and ability campers with only four working cameras isn't ideal (as it means on average one person per class has to share a camera)  four is better than three, and to be honest we don't have a choice about it so the show or rather focuses must go on. 

The Department itself is working incredibly well perhaps even faultlessly , the weather is behaving, the cameras that still work (touch wood) are all fully understandable and teachable to all ages (even if the Canon AE-1 with its pendant based light meter and the Vivitar XV-3 with its sensitive shutter release work better in the hands of the older campers) The kids are producing well exposed and composed images, that are unique - remember Fernwood Cove believes in Eagles not Ducks- and so far the printing is working well. Its a great compliment when a Photographer or person who works in a very similar industry compliments their childs printing skills  which you've set up and approved yourself. Processing the films has also come on a lot, film loading has become a painless and quick process - even in those annoying, sweaty and cramped bags- and the films are coming out both constantly and successfully and even with a shine, with thanks to the PhotoFlo wetting agent.

The department is a lot more organized, with thanks to the new ring binder, envelope and name tag system, In which each film once developed is hung on a named peg, then cut up and placed in plastic wallets inside the negative holder, prints are also hung up on said named pegs then placed in named wallets ready for collection and display on parents day, meaning we haven't lost a negative yet.

Sophia Chase's work 

2/3rd Grader Ginny Matsui

8th Grader Hailey Robinson

4th Grader Grace Miliken

Laura Holden

9th Grader Bella Godes

4th Grader Lila Mueller

9th Grader Genevieve Dunning

5th Grader Ava Eisendrath

5th Grader Anabella Katz

8th Grader Bella Young

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ PHOTOGRAPHY

Old Orchard Beach, Week 3

With Week three of the first session coming to a close, we've had one of our best weeks in the photography department, not only has it been smooth sailing with the girls, apart from a few language barriers (teaching photography to a french native teenager, in which your every other sentence seems to consist of you both not understanding each other, isnt the easiest or my favorite, but I love a good challenge) but I have also been able to develop and enlarge a few prints of my own, taken on both trip day to Ferry Beach National State Park and Old Orchard Beach, in Portland, Maine. 

Developing and Photographing these amusement parks and arcades has given me a idea for my second year S.D.A or even just a project of my own, photographing theme parks and amusement parks in Black and White film creating a retro and vintage inspired project. 

Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Maine. July 2014 

The Trip day girls at Ferry Beach and the Amusement Park, Palace Playland at  Old Orchard Beach, Maine, July 2014 

The Amusement Par, Palace Playland at Old Orchard Beach, Maine, July 2014

The Carousel, Palace Playland at Old Orchard Beach, Maine, July 2014

The Ferris Wheel, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, July 2014


ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ PHOTOGRAPHY

Teaching Film Photography in the Extraordinary World of Camp: Session 1 Week 1 and 2

I am lucky enough to be spending my summer instructing Black and White Film Photography to campers at Fernwood Cove, Summer Camp for girls in Harrison, Maine.  As this will form part of my Placement I have decided to write about it and share it with my readers.

Week 1

Summer Camp is about growth and challenges, growth of a department, a team, a Counselor, a Camper and all be it a bit cheesy  growth of a unit - or in our case a family. Sometimes in the case of a troubled child three and a half weeks isn't long enough to create long term changes in behavioral habits but  can be enough to make a serious impact, on not only their behavior but  their hobbies, goals and desires as well. 

Throughout the first weeks of focuses working in the department was hard and to be honest uninteresting, it was a sweltering 90 degrees, the chemicals were unstable and therefore inconsistent, with the film developing but maintaining a layer of gelatin on it and the prints drying in shades of murky brown instead of grey scale.  This disheartening process meant that I lost not just faith but interest in being within the department however with the tail of hurricane Arthur passing and the weather cooling we were hoping that with the new week the Darkroom would open once again.

The Photography Studio. Fernwood Cove. Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014 

Fernwood Cove's Dark Room, equipped with six enlargers, Fernwood Cove. Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

The Cameras, Fernwood Cove. Harrison, Maine, Summer 2014

Week 2 

As the weather became dull and grey and the Darkroom no longer resembled a sauna we decided to re open Film Photography. 

Teaching a second/third grader or even a Spanish speaking ninth grader what Aperture is, yet alone how to use it is somewhat of a challenge, especially when the girls are confused/haven't actually been informed that these images aren't available for instant playback and unfortunately can't be hashtaged or filtered on Instagram. Yet  spending my whole day inside under redlight when its glorious sunshine outside was becoming routine and to be honest enjoyable.

Due to last weeks technical difficulties class sizes have seen a quite visible reduction in size, which although is unfortunate it means that we can now participate and print alongside the girls, something I found helped to motivate them as they saw you repeating each stage to achieve the perfect print, and not just standing there being the cruel bitch, continuously making them do tests  when all they really want to do is enlarge a  full sized print.

Below is some examples of their work. 

All Images are copyright Ellie Hetebrij Photography