After each dinner at Raintree the
staff prepare an informal but powerful “bead ceremony.” Counselors get on stage and present beads to
campers for things they noticed thought that day that showed good
character. We have beads for caring,
honesty, respect, responsibility, friendship, sense of humor, and bravery. We also have beads for participation in
events such as Night Hike, Archery, Canoeing, and even a bead for getting a
turkey to gobble.

Campers can keep their beads on a
bead necklace given to them each week if they choose. Many campers come back each year with their
bead necklace from the previous year. The
necklace can, which a great souvenir from the week and contains the memories of
their time at camp.

Campers even camp up with their own
cheer for when other campers receive a bead, they yell: “B. E.
A. D., you got a bead Wooo. “ Finally, at the Friday awards ceremony we
give a bead for the “Cabin of the Week”.
This bead if given to one cabin each week that has shown great teamwork,
showed camp spirit, and kept a clean cabin.