Sunday Snippet: Peace Around the World

WeHaKee is a peaceful and joyous place that is often shielded from the negative influences found throughout our greater world. This environment along with the sense of community embraced at WeHaKee allows girls to grow in amazing and incredible ways. Howvever, the events of this past week, the senseless violence and bloodshed cannot be ignored or diminished.   We take this week’s Sunday Snippet to explore what we can do at camp to help spread peace and respect throughout our communities beyond the boundaries of Camp WeHaKee:

‘Worlds Apart ~ Coming Together’ is what every camper sees when they cross the circle parking area as they head to the Valley.   It has always been a true description of the unique camp communities that emerge every summer at WeHaKeeCamp for Girls.   Girls arrive from all across the globe to spend their summer on the shores of Hunter Lake, but they gain so much more from the experience that just fun in the sun.  

The Flag Ceremony is a long standing tradition at WeHaKee which allows us to recognize and build respect for all of the nations represented at camp each session.   Each flag is presented to be posted on our flag pole and then each national anthem is sung by those from each country, frequently accompanied by other campers and staff.   This past session we had one of our longest flag ceremonies, raising 14 flags and singing 14 anthems.  The length was not a burden, instead it was a moment of great WeHaKee pride!

But the violent events that occured in Aurora, Colorado have impacted this WeHaKee tradition.   To recognize and remember those who tragically lost their lives as well as to attempt to console those who will be forever impacted by this senseless act, President Obama has directed that all United States flags in this nation be displayed at half-mast until sundown on July 25th.   We at WeHaKee have chosen to follow this directive and we are now only displaying the flag of the United States at half staff.   On July 26th we will have our first Flag Ceremony of 3rd Session and we will then raise all of the flags of the nations represented and sing their national anthems as one camp community.

WeHaKee is a place of peace and it is difficult when events beyond our camp rattles that sense of peace.   But these occurences also provide a reminder of how important the WeHaKee experience is for our campers, staff and families.   By experiencing a sense of peace in the diverse and vibrant community that is WeHaKee, those who are here are able to better embrace & encourage peace when they depart and go into their other communities.   And with this comes a sense of hope… hope that each one of us can make a difference and bring a greater sense of peace to those around us.

Peace be with you… And with your spirit.