The Gallivant Gazette

August 2026

From the Camp Director

July gave us plenty of reasons to get outside, along with a few reasons to stay in.

We gathered with family for a reunion, enjoyed a summer afternoon motorcycle ride, had lunch at Chester's Drive-In in Plymouth, and visited the John Michael Kohler Art Fair, where we came home with a beautiful print by artist Naomi Hart. My fiancé, Matt, who is a pilot, also made two trips to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh this year.

We also spent more time indoors than we expected as extreme heat and smoke from wildfires settled over Wisconsin.

Looking back, July was a reminder that not every summer day goes according to plan, and that's okay. Some days are made for adventures, while others call for slowing down, changing plans, or simply making the best of what you have to work with.

As August begins, I hope you'll find time to enjoy what's left of summer, whether that's gathering with family, exploring somewhere close to home, or simply appreciating an ordinary day. Here's to making the most of whatever August brings.

Until next time,

Lisa Brotz

August Field Notes

Stargazing

August offers some of the year's best stargazing. Watch for the Perseid meteor shower, which typically peaks around August 12 and 13. Find a dark location after midnight, bring a lawn chair or blanket, and give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

Along the Trail

Late summer is a season of abundance. Goldenrod begins to brighten roadsides, asters make their first appearance, and fields begin to hint at the coming harvest. It's a great month for an evening walk or a visit to a local park to notice what's beginning to change.

Wildlife Watch

Young birds are becoming more independent, monarch butterflies are beginning their southward migration, and the buzz of dog day cicadas fills hot August afternoons. As evening falls, listen for katydids and crickets as they take over the soundtrack of late summer.

Seasonal Harvest

August brings sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, melons, and the first apples to many farmers markets and roadside stands. It's one of the best months to enjoy local produce.

Camp Skill: Refrigerator Pickles

Fresh cucumbers won't last forever, but with a few simple ingredients, you can turn them into a crisp, tangy treat in just one day.

Skip the canning pot and make refrigerator pickles instead. Pack fresh cucumbers with dill, garlic, peppercorns, and mustard seed, cover with a simple vinegar brine, and refrigerate. They're ready to enjoy in about 24 hours, taste even better after a few days, and are a delicious way to savor one of summer's most abundant harvests.

Around the Campfire

The place to celebrate, connect, and share life with the Camp Gallivant community. Please reach out if you have any additions or shout-outs.

Fairyfolk Festival

August 4 to 9 at Bookworm Gardens

Step into a world of imagination with fairy houses, storytimes, hands-on activities, and beautiful gardens for all ages.

Hope for Hooves

August 15 at Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary

Support rescued horses while enjoying a day of community, learning, and equine inspiration. Be sure to stop by the Camp Gallivant booth, where we'll be hosting one of our signature Seek & Stamp adventures for the event.

Horsemanship Clinic

August 22 at Northstar Farm

Join us for a day of horsemanship with internationally respected clinician Ann Christin-Kloth. Auditors and riders are welcome. For more information about Ann, please see the Northstar Farm page on our website.

LaValley Farmers Market

August 28 at LaValley Home and Garden Center

Browse fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, and handcrafted goods while supporting local farmers, makers, and small businesses.

Lost & Found

Lost: The excitement of back-to-school shopping.

For many of us, getting ready for a new school year was an event. We picked out fresh notebooks, a lunchbox, maybe a new Trapper Keeper, and imagined what the months might bring. It wasn't just about school supplies. It was about wondering who we'd meet, what we'd learn, and where the school year would take us.

Found: Whether you're headed back to school or not, treat yourself to one small tool for learning this month. Pick up a notebook, visit your local bookstore or library, or start a journal for your observations and ideas. A fresh page is still an invitation to learn, create, and be inspired.

Camp Headquarters

I'm excited to share that Willoughby's Way and the Seeds of Spring has reached a couple of important milestones. Content edits are now complete, and the manuscript is currently in the hands of my line editor, Eva Fox Mate, bringing it one step closer to publication.

Meanwhile, Willoughby is beginning to take shape thanks to the wonderful work of illustrator Deidre Henkelman. Watching my little hero come to life on the page has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey so far.

Thank you for following along. I can't wait to share more as the adventure continues to unfold.

Before the Trail Ends

Thanks for joining me for this month's edition of the Gallivant Gazette. I hope it encourages you to step outside, stay curious, and make the most of the season, whether you're exploring somewhere new or simply noticing the beauty right outside your door.

If you enjoyed this newsletter, I'd be grateful if you'd share it with a friend or invite them to subscribe. The Camp Gallivant community grows one curious explorer at a time.

Until next month, happy Gallivanting!

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