Life-Affirming
Friday, July 24th, 2026
KITCHEN circa 7:56am—The mornings can be quite chilly at Camp, especially in the shady kitchen, which sits at the western base of a large plateau. I grab a quick cup of coffee at the back of the eating area and double-back towards the bridge. The cocoa line is short today, a testament to how the exertion of Camp life whittles down the early riser crowd over the course of a session.
One of my favorite sensory luxuries at Camp is embarking on a morning walk to enjoy direct sunlight while the air is still cool. Crossing the bridge I emerge from tree shade into the open parking lot. The sunlight soothes my limbs as I command them forward. I lean forward for coffee sips over the jostle of my own walking. The bitter coffee strips away hints of toothpaste.
As I traverse the parking lot, a fenced orchard comes into view. On the far corner there is an image of a cartoon anthropomorphic pig displayed, a sort of mascot that has come to represent the Hog Farm commune. Passing the pig, I turn right down the main access road which will set me on a pleasant loop.
Rounding a gentle bend in the road there comes into view an unexpected congregation of children in Irene’s Garden. Just on the other side of the tall deer fence, a dozen campers and counselors scrounge around in long rows of farm dirt, seemingly foraging for potatoes. Irene stands nearby her tractor pointing and explaining things to people.
I continue on with my walk (in order to make 8:30 sound-check for song circle) and, a while later, track down a few garden walkers, the first of the summer.
“We walked over to the garden and they showed us how to wash the cabbage,” says E, 10. “The we got to pick cabbage with huge garden scissors. It was really fun to throw some cabbage around for a change. Then they brought out a tractor with a tool on the back that pulled up the potato roots.”
“It was really nice to be out in an open area in the morning,” says Victor, 13.
“It was magical and very special,” says Camp Doctor Yakira Teitel. “It was a beautiful morning. The kids all got to help in a way that was actually helpful to Irene. Irene is an incredible Hog Farmer who years ago started a small garden that is now a whole farm. Some of the food grown here comes straight to Camp Winnarainbow, and some of it even goes as far as stores in Berkeley. Garden walks go back decades, but this was the first of the summer.”
“The garden walk was really fun,” says Falco, 1. “Getting to pick potatoes, flowers, squash, zucchini, I find it fun to harvest food. It’s also good to get away from the cold, shady kitchen.”
“I love seeing Daisy,” says Porter, 10, referring to Irene’s large dog. “She’s very obedient, just follows everyone around, loves kids. I think she either is grey with black spots or black with grey spots. She’s the garden guardian.”
“It’s interesting to see the hills outside of Camp,” says Anna Marie, 14. “It’s cool to help out with communal stuff. Irene was cool like a girl-boss.”
“The garden walk was life-affirming,” says Restorative Justice Coordinator Silver Morningstar. “You have Irene out there explaining things to the kids. She said, ‘Everyone take ten flowers! Take as many as you want!’ and all of a sudden kids were walking around with big bouquets. Then I look over and Oliver is juggling potatoes!”
Stay hydrated,
—J. Payseno, Editor