What an experience!  It was incredible...five days in gorgeous Pennsylvania at Jumonville Retreat Center.  The weather was wonderful and the company even better.  Little Bear Wheeler and Mark Holden held a Releasing the Arrows/History camp at the beginning of October.  Even the drive over with the trees changing colors was stunning. 

Since it was the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War, we spent a great deal of time thinking about George Washington.  We hiked to the site where the Frenchman Jumonville was killed by Washington's party.  We saw Fort Necessity and couldn't believe that anyone could have survived a battle with *that* as protection!  General Braddock's gravesite was well marked - it was moved when the highway was made larger. 

Let's see, the older children and I went on a tour of Falling Waters.  It is a renowed home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  We had first tried to see Kentuck Knob but the cashier did not want us to take the children on the tour.  So, we turned around and walked out.  Falling Waters is much more kid friendly with a great play room to wait in before your tour begins.  I was impressed - especially after our experience at Kentuck Knob!

One of the highlights of our camping experience was the colonial dance.  Most of the participants dressed in period clothing - we were all amazed as most were homemade.  The "ball" was so fun and appropriate for such a wide range of ages.  I was most impressed by a young boy of approximately 9 or 10 who was so kind and encouraging with my Suzannah (who really struggled doing some of the reels).   I regret that we didn't get his name.  We definately got the dancing bug now!

The other big highlight for the children was having lunch with Little Bear  and his lovely wife, Marilyn, one day.  It was the quietest the dinner table has ever been, I think.  The children were so much in awe of him that they could hardly speak.  Little Bear wore his colonial/George Washington type clothes for much of the camp which really added to his historical lectures.

We signed up for the camp in June and we all thought that October 1 would never get here.  It is great when something that has so long been anticipated lives up to your expectations.Anticipating the arrival of Little Bear for a talk about George Washington!

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