Hey, Survivors!
I’ve written about compasses in previous Blog posts, but today is Marooned Without a Compass Day so we’ll be discussing not having this simple, lightweight device that can point you in the right direction.
Consistently observed on November 6 every year, Marooned Without a Compass Day poses the age-old, desert island scenario in which you have to choose which friend, what favorite book, or what most valuable item you would want to have along with you in this extremely isolating predicament. At first glance it seems to me that if you were Marooned Without a Compass, the number one item to choose would be a compass. But, on second thought, if you’re Marooned…then what good is a compass?
As explored in the movie ‘Castaway’, starring Tom Hanks, being marooned is something that will certainly put a damper on your day and quite possibly the rest of your life.
By definition, being truly marooned means to be deserted on an uninhabited island/coast with no hope of escaping unless fate should have it that you are rescued. If you're familiar with pirate stories, this is what often happens to crew members who don't obey orders. It’s basically why the word ‘maroon’ exists—unless, of course, you’re talking about the color.
So, if there’s no hope for escape on your own, what good would a compass be anyway? On a positive note, at least if you were marooned, you’d finally get some peace and quiet and plenty of time all to yourself. You could finally reread your favorite book (if you happened to bring it along). You can celebrate Marooned Without a Compass Day by asking your friends what person or item they’d bring and what they would do if they were marooned without a compass.
You can ensure that, should you ever be marooned on a desert island, you have a compass by picking out your own magnetic Compass from Everything Summer Camp and taking it with you everywhere you go! As always, thanks for reading, folks!
- John