Sunny skies greeted the Downeast Maine Explorers this morning on the last day of their wilderness trip. The group broke camp in record time, and was out of the woods and enjoying ice cream on the lawn of a local shop by lunchtime. Big smiles and loud chants accompanied their bus as it pulled onto the campus where the girls – tired but happy and satisfied – unloaded and unpacked gear, moved canoes, and set up their tents for one last night at camp. Reflecting on the final leg of their trip, they recalled the beautiful views from Cadillac Mountain and how fun it was to bike the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park. Tonight the girls, their trip leaders, and I will follow a path of luminarias to our campfire where we will share some closing thoughts. The prayer flags the girls created to hold the best intentions each expressed for herself and the community, will encircle our gathering in the same way they have been present at every camp site for the last three weeks. As I listen to each give voice to their experiences of challenges met, strengths discovered and friendships forged I hope the wind blows the flags – as they are intended – such that the love shared and lessons learned this summer about self, community, and the natural world will move across the water and accompany each explorer home.   -Nancy Kennedy, Visiting Director of Girls Program Development