05/11/2020
CHAPTER 1: End of School
The bell rang. It was official. It was the end of the school year and the beginning of a three month summer at camp. I rushed over to my friend, Kennedy.
“Hey! Today is the day!” I exclaimed joyfully.
“Here we come Camp Kerimono!” Kennedy announced.
Sadly, we had to go our separate ways to get ready for Camp Kerimono, but we’d meet up at the bus stop.
Camp Kerimono is me and Kennedy’s FAVORITE place for the summer. It has EVERYTHING: cozy tents, a huge forest, an even bigger lake, and responsibilities. And good food too. There are lots of fun activities. Last summer, we had a swim race and a big dinner after. One time, they had a summer theater at sundown. I wonder what they have planned for us this summer.
“Dot, dear, do you have everything for camp?” asked my mom.
I checked my bag.
“Yeah, Mom. Don’t worry.” I answered. “I should get going. Take care of Tux. Love you, bye! See you in three months!”
I hugged my mom. I hugged Tux. And ran out the door to the bus stop. Kennedy eagerly awaited me on the bench by the bus stop.
“There you are! I was worried that you weren’t coming with me to Camp Kerimono!” Kennedy sighed with relief.
“I’m going to miss Tux.” I sniffled. “I mean, I won’t see him for three months!”
Tux is my ferret. He is my only pet. But, at Camp Kerimono, pets are not allowed. I know people have tried sneaking pets in, but I’m not going to risk it. But, I am going to miss him SO much! I burst into tears.
“Dot! Don’t cry! It won’t last forever. You’ve survived five summers of camp without him. And you have me.” Kennedy tried to cheer me up.
Kennedy always finds ways to be optimistic in hard times. It’s one of her best qualities.
“Hey look! The bus is here!” She said.
I looked up. The bus was here!
CHAPTER 2: The Bus Ride
We got onto the bus. We got into the nearest seat.
“I’m SO excited!” Kennedy squealed.
“Me too!” I agreed, smiling.
“I heard that this summer, they have a few new surprises!” Paris Alpin, our other friend who was going to camp whispered.
“Like what?” Sydney Boatswain, the poetic camper asked.
“Like no more tents!” Paris exclaimed happily.
“Are there different foods?” Prasanna Targaryen asked.
That’s where the conservation turned into an awkward silence as everyone stared at Prasanna.
“Uh, what was wrong with the food before?” Douglas Balliol, otherwise known as Doug, said.
“I don’t know. But-” Prasanna explained.
But, Kennedy cut him off mid-sentence.
“Everyone, look!” Kennedy pointed to a sign.
Usually, when you arrive at Camp Kerimono, there is a sign that says
“CAMP KERIMONO, SUMMER CAMP”
That, as always, was there. However, there was another sign. It said,
“CAMP ALMEAD, SUMMER CAMP FOR BAKING AND HISTORY”
I knew this summer at camp was going to be VERY different than the last 6 summers at Camp Kerimono.
CHAPTER 3: ANOTHER CAMP
“Well, Paris, that is certainly a surprise.” I said. “Another camp.”
“Baking and History do not EVER go together.” Prasanna said, correcting Camp Almead
“Well, we should get off the bus. We’re here.” Doug said.
One by one, we got off the bus with our bags. We walked up to the nearest counselor.
“Hey! It’s Kennedy and Dot! What are you two over here for? You know what to do after the bus ride.” Counselor Mindy greeted us with her giant bright smile.
“We just wanted to know why there is another camp here.” I said.
“Oh yes,” She said. “I do hope you won’t mind. Even if you do, the camp is across the lake, so we won’t be seeing them a lot. Now, why don’t you two get set up for your summer at Camp Kerimono.”
What you’re supposed to do after the bus ride is go to this HUGE campfire area. Once you’re there, you will be sorted into groups by age. Two counselors will guide you to your tent (or cabins this year). You will all introduce yourselves. After that, you will get your tents set up. And then, you will go to the dining hall for a welcoming feast. You should remember to clean up after! Then, you do an activity with your group. And finally, there is a campfire before lights out. If you’re really nice to your counselors, they will read you a bedtime story. And that is what Day 1 is at Camp Kerimono. But, the schedule might be changed, because this year, there is a new camp. And a new location: Kansas. Me and Kennedy walked over to the campfire area.
“I wonder who our counselors are this year.” I said as we were walking.
“And what other surprises are along the way.” Kennedy responded.
A counselor walked over to us.
“How old are you two?” He asked.
“11.” We answered in unison.
“You are with… Counselor Lucy.” He said, looking at his clipboard. “She is over… there.” He pointed to a tall woman with long blonde hair and long blue earrings. She had a magenta beret on her head. We walked over to her.
“Hello! Welcome to my group! I'm excited to be with you for three months! As you probably already know, my name is Lucy. We should start walking to the cabin. Your other counselor is there.” She said happily.
And so, me and the rest of the group started walking to the cabin. It wasn’t that long of a walk. Finally, we arrived at the cabin. Counselor Lucy opened the door and...