I Feel the Earth Move
SPORTS FIELD circa 8:15am—Tagging along with Administrative Manager Mayahuel Montoya on a serene morning walk, we follow a dirt road through the wooded bank of Ten Mile Creek. Soon the foliage opens and we continue along the south side of Camp’s Sports Field. Already too warm for a light flannel, the sun reflects off the golden grass, nearly four feet high now. There is a walkable labyrinth situated here, owing to the fact that this is the first area of Camp to receive direct sunlight each morning.
The loose dirt on the road has captured the footprints of a wide array of creatures: dogs, cats, birds, deer as well as several different brands of sneakers. Every ten yards or so a small hole indicates the presence of a sprawling ant colony. Each morning they emerge from a different hole, sometimes a hundred feet apart from one day to the next. Today they are working from one of the eastern-most holes, foraging fluffy white bits of plant debris.
Suddenly both our phones surge with an ominous warning chime:
Emergency Alert
Earthquake Detected! Drop, Cover, Hold On. Protect Yourself. -USGS ShakeAlert
We move away from the trees toward the center of the field as a shudder passes over the landscape. We continue into Camp.
CAMP KITCHEN circa 8:20am—A throng of children has been gathered in the clearing near the kitchen where counselors Silver, Moment, and Lucas are leading an acapella rendition of “Here Comes the Sun.” Nearby a small contingent of management discusses next steps. Cool morning air still lingers here in the shadow of the plateau.
After a few minutes, the children are admitted back into the eating area to enjoy cocoa and boardgames. Waterfront Director Kitty Green has taken to singing Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move”. Everything seems to have returned to normal, except for the hum of our back-up generators. I join the cocoa scene to document witness accounts of the quake, as well as to gather reviews of last night’s program, Teacher Talent Night.
“I was in a dream state when I thought someone was kicking my mat,” says Kanana, 10. “Our teen staff completely slept through it. I liked Teacher Talent Night because it was more exciting than a boring math lecture. 7.5 points out of 10.”
“When it happened I sat up and made eye contact with my tipi-mate and we were both so confused,” says Tessa, 14. “Once it stopped I went back to sleep. Teacher Talent Night was a great opportunity to see teachers in their element. Like you can know how to teach something, but seeing them actually do it is something else entirely.”
“It was a beautiful regular morning; everyone was spread out and peaceful,” says Camper Advocate Silver Morningstar. “I was at the art grove, discussing mystical things like cocoa with Memo and Yeshi. It was mind altering, the whole ground swayed, gave me a sense of vertigo. I stopped what I was doing and walked straight over to the kitchen and said, ‘Bum-dada-bum-bum’ and gathered the kids in a circle. We made sure everybody was okay and then decided to stay in the circle for a little bit and sing some songs”
“I low-key thought Miles was shaking the table,” says Sandro, 13. “We were playing blackjack. We were gambling with woodchips because we’re not allowed to have money at Camp. I don’t think we’re going to have another earthquake this session—I’d bet 26 woodchips on it.”
“James was cooking on the trapeze,” says Sandro of Teacher Talent Night. “It was cool to see my counselor up there. I’ve got mad respect for that.”
“I was getting coffee at Pour Girls,” says Gravy Boat Jasper Jackson-Gleich, referring to the drive-through coffee stand in downtown Laytonville. “It’s good it didn’t hit earlier or I wouldn’t have gotten my latte.”
“I was home when my phone went off, and then I saw my sliding glass door jiggle,” says Korina, 11. “The Peace Choir was my favorite act last night. I like Camp Winnarainbow even though there’s earthquakes.”
“I was brushing my teeth when it happened,” says Lifeguard Audrey Duane. “I think the rocking motion of the earth travelled through my toothbrush and got some plaque that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.”
“It was basically an alarm clock for me,” confesses Poetry Instructor Rose Goyette. “I honestly might still be asleep if not for the earthquake.”
“It was fun to see aerials and acrobatics and it made me want to try them,” says Paloma, 9. “Improv was funny how they would say ‘STOP!’ and make up a whole new thing.”
“I was in the dish house when it hit, and I sprung into action right away,” says Unicycle Instructor Lucas Johnson. “My phone made a scary noise even though it was in airplane mode. I wouldn’t have felt the earthquake if I was in an airplane, so I’m not sure how that works. Anyways, I helped everybody remember the lyrics to ‘Here Comes the Sun.’”
“Basically we needed to check the structures, the electrical, and the propane,” says Operations Manager Angel Herrera. “We got the generators up and running to power the Office, the Kitchen and the Nurses’ Dome. When I went to town earlier to get more gas it looked like Disclosure Day.”
“I was saving a chair for Silver in the kitchen when it started shaking and going like this,” says Luna, 10, waving her arms back and forth. “It felt like I was seeing double. I would say the teacher show was a 9.5 out of 10. If I could give them one piece of advice, I’d tell the juggling teachers that they should take juggling more seriously.”
Stay hydrated,
—J. Payseno, Editor
As of press time 10:00pm on 6/24 the power grid is on and no injuries or property damage have been reported.