Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CAMP (08/18/22)
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TITLE: New Adventures | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Martelli
08/25/22 -
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A counselor named Kathy led me to a room with three bunk beds, where I stashed my bag. She then led me to an open field where the other children sat around a campfire, singing “Kum ba Ya.” It was past dinnertime, and soon it would be “lights out.” I wondered what surprises the next day would bring.
I quickly climbed onto the top bunk on one of the beds and fell asleep rapidly. After what seemed a very short night, we were awakened by the sound of someone blowing a horn. Kathy’s smiling face greeted us as she said, “Come on, girls, time for breakfast.”
We struggled out of bed and marched in line first to the “bathroom.” It was a little wooden shed; inside was a bench with a hole in the middle. I had never seen anything like this, and it was a scary experience for me. Nobody said anything about it, and when everyone had finished, we went to the dining room for breakfast.
Several tables sat on a stone floor in a space covered by a roof but with no walls. I sat next to Patty, who had slept on the bed beneath me. The counselors served us trays, each with a plate of scrambled eggs, a piece of bacon, and one slice of unbuttered toast. The food was cold and tasteless, but worst of all, the milk they served us was powdered. It was awful! My stomach growled as the tray with my uneaten food was taken away.
Still at the table, we had “morning devotions.” At this time, one of the counselors read something from the Bible and said a short prayer. We were then turned loose into the woods for a “prayer walk.” We were supposed to pray as we walked along a path before the structured programs began. I was so far out of my comfort zone that I could not pray.
Soon afterward, we had a choice of swimming, horseback riding, or badminton. I chose swimming because it was the most familiar to me. It was pleasant, although the lake had a squishy bottom, and the mud squeezed between my toes.
By now, I was seriously starving, but thankfully, lunchtime had arrived. The hamburger and fries were perfect. As soon as we finished our meal, Kathy escorted the six of us back to our cabin and told us to take a nap. What? I thought I outgrew naps a long time ago. But, exhausted, I fell asleep instantly.
Refreshed, it was time for more outdoor activities. This time we had the same choices, but I chose swimming again. I was afraid to go horseback riding and was terrible at badminton.
Supper came quickly, consisting of corn, blackeyed peas, tomatoes, and ham. Not bad! I especially liked the blackeyed peas until I found a bee cooked right along with them. That did it for me. Dinner was over.
Like the one last night, the campfire was kindled again as we sang songs about God and nature. Then someone told us about Jesus and how He loved each one of us. That was a relief and a pleasant reminder.
The bunk bed was a welcome sight, and I drifted into blissful sleep. But, oh no, the demand of my bladder woke me. I climbed out of my bed and awakened Patty in the process. I felt my way through the darkness to Kathy’s bed. I startled her, but she got up and walked me outside. She did not take me all the way to the outhouse but told me to go behind a tree and take care of business. It was the ultimate humiliation! I decided then and there that I had become a real, bonafide camper.
At twelve, this experience opened me to new adventures. Despite outhouses, naps, strange foods, and much humiliation, I learned of the love of Jesus and the fellowship of friends at that camp!
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