Fall Means Great Escape!

Yesterday we were outside before breakfast and DH said "This is the first morning that feels like school."  He meant that the air was cool and dry and the sky was bright blue, reminding him of an early morning walk across campus.  Now that I'm a little older, fall, which used to mean school, means a visit or two to one of our GSEM camps.

  This weekend it's Runels, next weekend, Wabasso for the Great Escape!

On Sunday, my troop asked me if we could go 'glamping' this year.  I was proud to tell them that indeed I was going glamping this month and I'd show them pictures of how it turned out.  (I promised them a 'glamping' trip in the spring.) You will see the photos, too, so if you weren't able to register on time, remember to watch the blog because we might have some little surprises, some little innovations to show everyone!

If you are coming to GE for the first time, remember that although September days can be glorious, the nights can be cool, so let me remind you that layers are your friends and cotton kills!  Over the last few years I've decided that camp time is time to be comfortable and fashion can wait - yoga pants, hoodies, layers and warmth without weight are the watchwords!






OTOH, those cotton wreaths that Joanna Gaines popularized are the bomb.Yes, I'm still wreath - obsessed.

Acorns

My friend Laura over at Decor to Adore is making napkins with acorn rings today.  That reminded me that acorns is the theme of this year's Great Escape.

Last year they were abundant, falling big and plump and noisy from the trees by this time. That's why I chose them as my them even before GE 2015 was over!

This year they are tiny, stunted by lack of water, falling while still green, some of them, ignored by the squirrels and chippies who seem to have moved to greener pastures - perhaps the trees deep in the woods have done better than the 15 oaks on my lawn.

I expected that Hermine would bring us a little water - having had a great aunt by marriage of that name I thought perhaps it was a good omen - but no, the sun is shining again although it's cool and windy! But the warm and dry weather will be a boon at Great Escape.  If you have any acorns, bring them with you.  I need them.

Less Than A Month!

People, in one month, Great Escape 2016 will be over.

Scary thought! So this week I spent some time crafting examples for my workshop, working on the themed decorations and thinking about the photo board.  Now I'm going to turn my mind to the auction!  What kind of handcrafted item or themed basket will you create this year?  Pinterest users who need inspiration can go to this gift baskets board.  If you are a newbie, information about the auction is on the Great Escape website here.  Whether you are a crafter or a shopper, this last week before Labor Day is a good time to get ready for fall fun in New Hampshire.

Let The Kids Play With Knives!

Our Camp Runels buddies are so with it!  This year they stated at least two new programs at camp - a maker space and a wood lot.  Yes, they let the older campers learn to work with knives, saws and axes!  Read all about it at the Runels blog.  Be assured, though, that Camp Director Fluke/Sarah is a great cook - our GE turkeys are guaranteed not to taste like sawdust!

Don't Give Up!

In these dog days of August, it's hard not to get overwhelmed by the 90+ temperatures, drought (or floods!) and the thought of the new Girl Scout year about to start.  Girlguiding Leicestershire (UK) reminds us of what makes it all worthwhile!

Get out that calendar and schedule that camping trip/rock climbing/hike!

French Memo Boards - Kids' Edition

Two years ago, we offered a very successful workshop on French Memo Boards.  One of the participants recently used her mad skillz to make gorgeous boards for two little boys!  

Julie combined clown fish patterned fabric on the board, with Zebra print fabric folded and stitched into 'ribbon' for the criss-cross memo holders.  Result; a place for the two boys who are living in close quarters to display their artwork neatly!

Coincidentally, today I watched Shirley Maclaine, Frank Sinatra, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jourdan in "Can Can" on an old movie channel.  Shirley's boudoir was decorated with a lovely green memo board, with green velvet ribbons festooned with ruffles on the edges and old postcards inserted under the ribbons.  The furniture was decorated in a matte gray paint that would have made Annie Sloan feel right at home.

August Already! Auction Action.

We are so grateful to those of you who have registered for Great Escape this year and in past years too.  As those of you who have attended GE in the past know, the auction is not only a fun activity but a way for us to support our GSEM camps.  In August, I start thinking about what I will donate to the auction.  Handmade items are greatly prized - last year I managed to win this beautiful landscape by "Pancho" which is the 'artist's name' of our own wonderful workshop presenter, Helen Garcia. (It's straight on the wall, my photography is crooked!) A storm is brewing over the desert, I imagine, and soon all the cactus will bloom with the fresh rain. (Kind of like my lawn these days.)

It looks great in my 'blue room.'  In fact, it's the only thing I've managed to put on the wall there where we iron (ok, I don't iron, my husband does.  So it was actually a present for him, right?  Sure, of course!)

Here are the auction guidelines.   Items should be hand crafted or exciting assemblages of useful, fun or beautiful themed 'baskets' with a value of at least $25.00.  If you are coming with a friend, you might consider assembling a spectacular basket together -  I once contributed a complete picnic set for two to which my dear friend Julie added a couple of bottles of wine and some other comestibles - et voila!  A great shower or engagement gift was born. 

Remember, the auction benefits GSEM camps.  Here's part of the explanation from the Great Escape Website.

Great Escape, by running a fund-raising auction each year, has raised and donated more than $14,250  most of which has been earmarked for Camp Wabasso.  The money was used by Girl Scouts, Eastern Massachusetts Council to provide new tables and windows in the Dining Hall, chairs, a new chair rack in the Lodge and to purchase mildew-resistant paint, a dehumidifier and a new stove for the basement of the Lodge, making it cozier and user-friendly.  Among other items, more than 25 new mattresses were purchased for the camp cots; all Wabasso Girl and Adult campers can be grateful for these clean and comfy mattresses!  In 2013, we donated money to help buy new ceiling fans/lights for the theatre so that it can be used more often.  In 2014, we donated $1500 towards restoration of the Adventure Course at Wabasso.  This year we are giving $3,500 towards outfitting all the winterized spaces with new stoves and buying new cross country skis.  When you participate in our Auctions or purchase our merchandise, you are helping to support our Council properties.