June 21st marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. At Mountain Meadow Ranch, we get to experience this day to its fullest. The sun stands at its highest point, and we are out and about playing and soaking it up around camp.
If winter is the inhale, summer is the long exhale. It is the season of jumping in, saying “yes” to the adventure, and living with an open heart. We invite your family to step into the light with these five solstice practices.
5 Invitations to Cultivate Camp Joy
1. Say “YES”!
In winter, we practice the boundary of “no” to protect our rest. In summer, we practice the saying “yes”! Tomorrow, find one thing that feels a little bold—a dip in a cold lake, a long bike ride, or trying a new skill—and say yes with your whole heart. At camp, this is how we “dance outside our comfort zones.”
2. Solar charging
Tomorrow, spend 10 minutes sitting in the sun (wear protection or opt for a morning or evening bask when the rays are less intense). Feel the light and warmth on your skin and realize that this is the same energy that grows the meadow grass and fuels the entire planet. At MMR, we spend all of our days outside under the sun, it’s what fuels and charges our play.
3. Rise at dawn and watch at dusk
Because today is the longest day, the “magic hours” of dawn and dusk are extended. We challenge your family to see the sunrise, and stay outside until the very last bit of light fades in the evening. Put the phones away and notice how the sounds change as the day begins and ends. Watching the sunrise at the Rock Pile or seeing day turn to night at the Campfire are some peak camp experiences our alums cherish for years.
4. Radiate stewardship
Our “Serve All” philosophy is about building a community that cares for each other and radiates the unplugged joy outward to each other. Just as the sun shares its light indiscriminately, perform one “Act of Stewardship” tomorrow. Bring a bouquet of wildflowers to a neighbor, help a friend with a project, or simply offer a warm, genuine smile to everyone you encounter. Let your summer energy be a gift to someone else.
5. Set your intention
“Who do you want to be this season?” As the season of summer is at it’s zenith, take a moment to write down one thing you want to achieve or a way you want to feel by the time the leaves start to turn in the autumn.
For seven decades, Mountain Meadow Ranch has been a place where the Summer Solstice is lived fully. We have watched generations of campers arrive under the sun and leave with the “summer glow” of genuine confidence and connection.
Whether your camper is currently packing their trunk or already here basking in the glow, we hope you find a way to celebrate the expansion of the light tomorrow.
Take a breath. The sun is high. Soak it up.
With care,
Anna from Mountain Meadow Ranch Summer Camp