Coho Salmon

November 9, 2019

Our day began with a beautiful fire Yasmin built with assistance from our teen volunteer Orion. It burned brightly all day under our dry shelter. We also welcomed another new teen volunteer, India, who has been part of VWP programs since she was four years old. The fire and these two lively volunteers brightened our day immensely!

As we listened to the rain fall on our tarp, we spoke about how the people of Vashon Island are waiting for our beloved Coho salmon to return, hopefully after the next big rainstorm. The Orca are waiting too...As the warm fire burned we listened to an Athabascan story about a young girl who waited each year by the banks of a river for the salmon to return. One year as she was watching the first salmon swim past, she fell into the cold rushing river! Ask your child what happened next???

Our group spent much of the day walking on the land looking at so many colorful mushrooms, eating some of the last remaining huckleberries, collecting tree sap for our fires this winter, and playing running, sneaking, and blindfolded listening games. Some children had time to put together a new journal while others drew in the journals they brought from home. There was also a chance to make bright red necklaces out of Madrona berries and Rose hips, two treasured PNW native plants. The berries will be smaller but still beautiful as they dry.

It is an amazing opportunity for all of us to share these days together in the forests and meadows of Camp Sealth. Thank you for making it possible for your children to join us each month. We look forward to seeing you again in December!