For me,
this week of our family camp is truly one of the highlights of our Temple year, bringing
families together, children of all ages—including, this year, more teenagers
than ever before—in the beautiful environment of White Eagle’s home.
The
theme this year drew inspiration from the recent Olympics, ‘The Ancient
Greeks’. There were such innovative and inspiring ways this was developed
during the week by our wonderful group of helpers and volunteer mums and dads.
In ‘our’ opening ceremony the five interlocking circles of the Olympic symbol
were created by five ‘getting to know you’ groups—‘after just a little chaos’! Then
‘our Olympic torch’ was carried out of the Temple to light the fire in the middle of the
circle of tents on the hilltop.
I know White
Eagle is very happy at this annual event, so reminiscent of his tribal family
gatherings in days gone by when he lived in physical incarnation as the
Iroquois chief White Eagle.
On this
first year that Ylana has not been able to join us physically, she was
certainly with us in her younger and vibrant ‘body of light’. Tribute was paid
to her in the final camp event—the gloriously creative and talented ‘end of
camp show’. I know she was very amused at the happy rendition of one of her
favourite songs! In fact, I am writing this the day after what would have been
her 96th birthday, 20th August. She is so clearly with me
now and in her own dynamic way urging us on in all our endeavours to ‘live
brotherhood’ in our family lives, in our community service and in every way we
can.