The Magic Always Comes Together
Monday, July 20th, 2026
LOWER RING circa 4:41pm—The muggy morning has finally given way to blue skies and breezes. I sit at the strategically located Lower Ring supervision station with a clear view of the Big Top, the Stilt Field and the Aerials Site. The main trade off for all this visibility is being in the crossfire of several competing sources of canned music. Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” is currently vying for control of my eardrums with some H&M-worthy pop song.
A group of stilters stride by in two columns, their interspersed earth-borne spotters walking backwards, ready to catch any stumblers. The group moves steadily toward the kitchen, passing by an in-progress cloud swing clinic at the Aerials Site. Several young aerialists sit in the shade on a tumbling mat awaiting their turn on the so-called ‘biggest swing in Laytonville.’
As of this morning, regular classes have resumed at Camp, now infused with the extra energy of the impending Big Show. Today I’m asking campers what acts they are preparing to dazzle the grown-ups with this coming Saturday.
“I’m doing stilts because I like being tall, trapeze because it’s fun, and poi because it looks cool,” says Ripley, 13. “It’s cool that everyone gets to show their talents. I love the evening programs, and the Big Show is like the final one.”
“I believe that there is a power in creating something, whether physical or verbal, which is why I chose improv and poetry,” says Oscar, 14. “I feel like they allow me to express myself in ways that other art forms don’t allow. All art forms are restrictive in their own way. Visual art for example—2-dimensional or 3-dimensional—has a lack of voice. Improv and poetry aren’t restricted in this manner. One’s voice can make something more true to oneself and more freeing to the artist. Well, that’s my opinion anyway.”
“I’m a competitive dancer—not in terms of personality; I dance in competitions,” says Zahara, 13. “I’m really excited to be in Karma’s dance class. Hip hop is my specialty, mainly tutting and waving. I’ll also be in the stilt parade for like the fourth or fifth time. For those who this will be your first Big Show I say, ‘Have fun; no one is judging you.’”
“I’ll probably do unicycle; it’s a classic for me,” says Lena, 13. “It’s fun to see how far I can push myself. I’ve come a long way since I was 10. I couldn’t do anything at first. Riding unicycle is all about finding balance. It’s a metaphor for finding balance in life.”
“I’m doing unicycle because it’s really fun and I’ve been doing it for like three years,” says Gage, 9. “I know how to bunny hop, self mount, idle, and figure eights. It’s kinda unique having one wheel. Cars, bicycles, they all have more than one. It’s like they have training wheels. When you’re on a unicycle, you have to keep your balance or you’ll fall down.”
“I’m gonna do juggling,” says Naveen. “Juggling is chill. It’s something to do when I’m bored. I think adults are bored like 98% of the time, so I guess I’ll be juggling a lot when I grow up.”
TIPI CIRCLE circa 8:46pm—A brilliant peach sunset has ripened into view above the Big Top where dozens of campers rage at the Costume Dance Party. The scattered musical energies of afternoon have consolidated into one deafening litany of popular songs of questionable appropriateness. I sit and enjoy the scene alongside Tiffany Dunlap, multi-decade veteran of Camp’s Costume Barn. Years ago she raised her two daughters here at Camp, and has now returned with her granddaughter who is currently somewhere in the frey of costumed dancers.
“I appreciate all the energy that goes into the Big Show,” saysTiffany. “The second week picks up momentum leading up to it. Some of these kids don’t even know the skill before they arrive; it’s amazing what they can learn in two weeks. At the Costume Barn, we try to bring people’s creative visions to life. The magic always comes together in surprising ways.”
The granddaughter emerges from the Stilt Field to quietly consult with her grandma. She leans into Tiffany’s lap, chewing her skirt and casting a thousand-yard stare that betrays a well-earned sleepiness. Sunset has given way to twilight and the smell of the nightwatch’s fire fills the air.
Stay hydrated,
—J. Payseno, Editor