The Listening Rock
 
Once upon a time, a very, very long time ago (and this is a true story) there were some children playing by the rocks on our campus. Nearby, some big kids were digging out a fallen tree, and burning out its core to make a canoe for their friends.
 
"Hey," said the little players, "did you know that rocks can speak?" 
 "No, they cannot," said the older ones, busy at work.  
"Rocks are silent. Birds, trees, wind, water all speak. Rocks are quiet."
"Well," said the little ones, "listen to this!"  And the young ones tapped lightly on the big boulders beside them. Each rock sounded different. One, just one rock, sounded hollow.
"So now, do you think the rocks can speak?" asked the young child of the older one. 
"Not sure they are speaking," said the oldest boy. "But I do know that you are listening to the rocks. Good work! Maybe I can invite your Dad, Elder Brewster, here to meet our Dad, Chief of the Wompanoags, so that the grownups can learn from us and from the rock. Then the adults could listen to each other until they understand. We'll call it our Listening Rock and it will stay here forever."
 
Hundreds of years later, when Brewster Day Camp came to be, the land was already filled with great Courage, blessed with Hope, rich in Good Spirit, and strong with ability to listen in Peace. Over the years, thousands of children from all differing tribes have come to sit with the rocks, learn to listen and to speak.

 

We are waiting for you this summer...