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Fall Family Tradition
by Joan Cripps
Family Traditions abound in our large family with every annual occasion
being celebrated at our camp. And this fall was no exception.
In late August invitations family members received invitations to come
celebrate an early Halloween. On the 12th of September 40 family members dressed for the occasion gathered at Stoney
Ridge Camp to enjoy a Pre-Halloween and Taffy Pull Party.
The camp grounds were gaily decorated with balloons. The spruce trees were
decorated with pumpkins, scarecrows, spiders and pumpkin lights. Nanny and Poppy were stuffed with straw and sat on the garden
bench, and of course Nanny had on her purple hat. A large stuffed spider and various other decorations were displayed on the
grounds.
The tables were set with various games to be played throughout the afternoon.
During the afternoon a "guess the number of black and orange jellybeans
in gaily decorated jars" game was looked after by a couple of older children.
Face painting plans went awry when paints were nowhere to be found. Older
boys read Halloween riddles amidst much guessing and laughter. Apple dunk was a very wet fun time, as was trying to get a
bite out of apples hung from the clothesline.
A Halloween Bingo was played in the gazebo with Halloween bingo cards and
lots of prizes.
Next, all took part in a pumpkin hunt. Thirty-five small orange pumpkins
were made of bristle board and each had different numbers. These were hid throughout the grounds. After all the pumpkins were
found and numbers added up the child with most points won a prize.
Mix and match pumpkin faces was next on the program. Large paper pumpkins
with each child’s name were hung all around the shed. Envelopes with different shaped paper noses, eyes and mouths were
part of this game.
Children took turns choosing eyes, nose etc to place on their pumpkin.
It ended up with some hilarious looking pumpkins.
The children delighted in a karaoke, one child especially being the hit
of the afternoon with his singing and dancing.
The older members played ring toss and had a ball catch.
It was now time for the pinatas that were filled with prizes and waiting
to be broken. Two pumpkin pinatas hung from the swing bar, one for the young children and one for the older children. A blindfold
was placed on each child when it was his or her turn. They were given a stick, and then turned around and around.
Many attempts were made before the pinatas were broken, and then it was
a scramble to get prizes.
To end the afternoon program a few door prizes were drawn.
It was now lunchtime as everyone gathered inside where on the ceiling of
the camp hung a large black stuffed spider with legs hanging down from all corners of the room.
The table was decorated with colourful fall leaves and a variety of beautifully
decorated Halloween cookies, muffins and apple men that were all part of the menu along with sandwiches, subs and pop.
Now it was time for a special treat as a witches brew was being prepared
by a long green nosed witch who used children’s brains, worms, eyeballs etc. in her brew. She cackled loudly as she
stirred her brew, made more eerie as haunting, noisy Halloween sounds played in the darkened background.
Hands were then greased, as the taffy pull was underway, and what a fun
messy time this was.
The afternoon was now coming to a close, and as the children were leaving
they were invited to take a scarecrow decoration from the trees.
Another delightful family fun time at Stoney Ridge Camp! Anyone wishing
information on any of our program, I would be glad to share such as how to make pinatas, bingo cards, riddles, apple men,
taffy, popcorn balls, fudge etc.
Joan Cripps of Chatham, New Brunswick ,
is a frequent contributor to Bread 'n Molasses. She's also the founder of the Purple Hat Ladies Tea Society. The
group she formed in 2001 has spread throughout the world. Email Joan at rayjoanc@nbnet.nb.ca
Bread ‘n Molasses
invites you to share your Family Traditions. Whether old traditions passed down from generation to generation
or new ones you’ve just begun, we want to hear about it. Tell us about your Family Traditions and we’ll publish
them in an upcoming issue of Bread ‘n Molasses. Email us today. Photos welcome.
Giv'er Atlantic Canada!
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