Burgees: Bring the Orkila Flag Tradition Home

 A burgee is a flag bearing the colors or emblem of a club, typically triangular.

Burgee Ceremonies are a large part of Camp Orkila’s Teen Expedition programming. In the past, burgees were hung on the flagpole outside of Tracy Strong Village when a group was out on their expedition. Once the group returned from their expedition, the burgee was taken down from the flagpole representing that the group was back on site, safe and sound.

These days, each expedition group receives a triangular piece of sail cloth, and together, they decorate this piece of sail cloth to commemorate their trip. In this way, a burgee tells a story. It tells the story of challenges a group overcomes, successes they have found, and laughs they have had along the way. A burgee is representative of the community that is formed while at summer camp. On their final night, groups participate in a burgee ceremony where each trip group can present their burgee and the story of their expedition to the other departing groups. The burgees are then hung in Tracy Strong Lodge for all future participants to see.

Supplies Needed

• A triangular piece of paper—this will represent your “burgee”
• Pencils, pens, markers etc.
• Other people who you have experienced this time with

Instructions

With the people in your home, by yourself, or virtually with a friend, think of the things that have defined the last few weeks or months for you. How will you represent them on your burgee? Take some time to write or draw these things onto your burgee!

Share your burgee on Facebook or Instagram and tag Camp Orkila!