Dozens of 6-to-9-year-olds sat in near complete silence, positively enraptured by Barbara Jeffries. Even in the capable hands of the staff of Camp Hand-in-Hand, that's quite a rarity. Jeffries came by Friday afternoon to tell the campers a few classic stories.
It's unclear who has more fun when Jeffries stops by: the kids, or herJeffries said of her audience. "It takes a lot of discipline for them to sit there and listen so well." Whether it was the tales themselves or her animated storytelling style, the kids were hooked from the start.
Jeffries works at the New Canaan Inn, the senior living center literally steps away from Camp Hand-in-Hand's space at St. Mark's Church. Since the camp started seven years ago, she has come to tell stories to the children each year, and had since become a favorite for returning campers.
The children heard folk tales from three cultures, including a Native American version of Cinderella and an Egyptian morality tale about the rewards of selflessness. But the kids' clear favorite was the Old English story, "The Woman Who Lived In A Vinegar Bottle." The story features a series of repeated lines. In the beginning, only a few joined along with Jeffries, But by the end, an entire chorus of about 40 campers was practically telling the story for her.
Although Jeffries just wanted to entertain the campers, the kids will return the favor at the end of the summer. In early August, they'll make the walk across the St. Mark's parking lot to the New Canaan Inn. There they'll delight the seniors with a few of their favorite songs. "It's a nice partnership," said camp director Kim Neilsen. "We just love it when we get the community involved. The kids really enjoy it."
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