Greetings from Mishatopia

Imaginary Worlds

Today Imaginary Worlds drew to a close. This is an annual four day camp that my friend Andrew Barton runs at my house for students at Milo’s school.

The idea is that kids spend four days building a land. They decide on a name, a system of government, and a governing body. Kids build everything - including a lot of furniture - out of scrap materials that we keep in my barn in a room that we now call imaginary worlds room. The land has many businesses and abundant signage. There’s always a flag. For the past two years my cat Misha has been the camp’s king, worshipped like a god.

This year’s imaginary world was dubbed Mishatopia. The video above was taken on day three, after everyone had gone home. On day four, kids put the final touches on their projects and the week culminates with a visit from the parents, who tour the town. Their first stop is the bank where they’re given money to spend on its many goods and services. The currency is bunches of dried money plant.

Lillie and Genevieve ran a clinic.

A two top at the Italian Restaurant, Bigfoot & Meatballs.

He was elected Duke and Corina was elected Duchess.

This year’s flag was batiked, made with candle wax and crushed blackberries.

Zev and Sylvie’s food shop.

Food shop seating.

All day long my garage was filled with kids, hammering and sawing.

This week at my house is utter bedlam, but I love it. Every year, when it ends, I’m a little relieved and a little sad. I know that next summer everyone will be older and closer to the age at which an imaginary world will no longer appeal. Or not. It still appeals to me and I’m pretty old.

Thank you, Andrew and Sofie, for this wild week of chaos and magic. Until next time.

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