The Writer: July 2022

During the week of July 10th, I went to Wonderland Camp and that week was Harry Potter themed. I was a Ravenclaw. I saw some of my great, old friends: Cookie, Ann, Alyssa, Haley, Mollie, Jan, Kenzie, Calli, Meredith, Lena, and Chris. I also made some awesome, new friends: Kelsey, Tess, Nick, Nicole, Crystal, and Angie. On a Sunday evening, we had a campfire; sang notoriously silly camp songs and ate gooey, exquisite s'mores. I was happy to be back at my secondary home.

On Monday morning, we had Archery. I only hit the target twice but I had fun with Kelsey. Then, we had Arts and Crafts. We tie-dyed our camp shirts. While I waited for my turn to tie-dye, I read one of my graphic novels that I brought from home named Robyn Hood by Pat Shand (it's a good read btw). I then drew a picture of Slenderman as Peter Pan on the back of a coloring page. When it was my turn, I tie-dyed my shirt rainbow colors to match Cookie's shirt. It was cool!

In the afternoon, we did Paint the Counselor at the splash pad, where we got to paint on the counselors. Once we had paint on everyone (counselors and campers), we got to play in the splash pad. The cold water felt good in the hot sun and the paint that came off of us made the water look like a brightly colored ink.

For Free-Flow (our free hour), we made a thank you sign for the nurses. We surprised the main nurse, Jan, with it. We just wanted show our appreciation for their help. It was cute.

We then sang karaoke in Miller Hall. Everybody was cheering, singing, clapping, and dancing loudly. I sang "Lost Boy" by Ruth B. then "Bye Bye Bye" by *NSYNC. It was so much fun!

In the evening, we had a movie night at Miller Hall. We watched "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and we ate popcorn. It was a relaxing, fun night.

On Tuesday morning, we went to the water front to ride the boat and to fish. First, we went fishing on the dock. With Kelsey's help, I caught a fish! To be funny, I kissed it before Alyssa threw it back into the lake.

We then rode the boat. The waves were bumpy and tickled my stomach, making me laugh. As the boat sped around, Cookie, Ann, and I also playfully pointed out the huge condos that we would like to live in someday.

Later, we had Music. We sang and danced. We had a "band contest" between the Hogwarts houses. I sang "Lost Boy." We all 'won' of course but I had fun.

After Music, we had Arts and Crafts. We decorated magic wands. I colored mine with a purple marker but Alyssa and I were goofing around as well and drew on each other's hands.

For Free-Flow, we did Harry Potter trivia in Miller Hall. I knew most of the answers. I even kept mouthing the answers when it wasn't my group's turn. I couldn't help it, lol! I had so much fun with my cabinmates.

During that evening, we had water activities (the splash pad, water guns, bubbles, body soap, buckets, etc.). They even had a dunk tank at the basketball court. At the splash pad, my cabinmates and I were running around, splashing each other, soaping up our counselors, and pouring water on each other's heads. I had a blast!

On Wednesday morning, we shot BB guns. Neither Kelsey nor I could aim for the target. I only shot near the target but it was hilarious to see us trying to aim.

After the BB guns, we climbed the rock wall. The counselors slowly pulled me to the top. It felt like I was levitating in the air. It was a cool feeling.

In the afternoon, it was pool/splash pad time for our cabin. A counselor and I ran around the splash pad. The water was freezing cold but I was there playing in the water for an hour. What can I say? I've had always loved that thing! I want one.

For Free-Flow, We colored and made bracelets. I doodled pictures of Slenderman and Blair Witch stick figures on the back of a coloring page but most of that time, I read my Archie comic. I loved hanging out with people though.

There was a humorous moment at dinnertime. The kitchen staff made butter beer from Harry Potter (cream soda, caramel extract, and butter extract) and they put it in mini plastic cups that looked like shot glasses.

Kelsey jokingly said: "Do you want to take it like a shot?"

I said yes, not being serious. To prank Kelsey, I grabbed the cup with my teeth when she wasn't looking and I poured it back into my mouth. I got some of it in my mouth (the butter beer was tasty, btw) but most of it went down my clothing protector. Kelsey and I cracked up! We both couldn't stop belly-laughing. She didn't mind my messy prank, since I was changing my shirt before the talent show.

The talent show started that evening. The whole camp was excited. The talents were entertaining and cute. For my talent, I sang "Lost Boy" again (hey, it's my favorite song, lol). While I was on stage, the girls from my cabin held out a sign in the audience that read: Lena Rocks! It was so sweet of them. For our group talent, we danced and sang to "Bye Bye Bye" (Yes, it was me who talked my cabinmates into doing this song, lol). The night was awesome.

On Thursday morning, we did the big swing. There's always a line to use the swing but it's worth the wait. When they put me in the seat and pulled me up steadily into the air, it felt like I was about to freefall, giving me the first thrill. Then, they shouted: "Three...two...one!" and let go of the rope. I swooped down then swayed back and forth in wide strides in the sky. I felt like Peter Pan soaring over the camp. It was such a rush; my stomach doing cartwheels and my heart racing! I was laughing the whole time.

In the afternoon, we watched the rest of Harry Potter (we didn't get to finish it on Monday night). As we watched the movie, we ate Goldfish Crackers. It was a delightfully chill hour in Miller Hall.

During Free-Flow, my cabinmates and I just showered, got ready for the dance, and started to pack. While my cabin was busy, Cookie's and my friend, Chris, came to visit. We talked until dinner.

For the dance, I wore my green shirt with gold-chain straps, blue jeans, black shoes, red lipstick, pinkish blush (Kelsey used my lipstick for blush), dark eyeshadow, and Kelsey spiked my hair.

They had a "porch dance," where campers danced on the porches of their cabins, while a loud speaker played outside. It wasn't the same and dressing up sort of seemed moot to me that night because we were staying at our cabins but I loved hanging out with the girls and Chris.

On Friday morning, everyone's things were all packed. Everyone was signing each other's shirts, taking pictures, and hugging. I got the Witch-Cackle Award because when I laughed hard, it sounded like a witch cackle, lol. Fridays are always bittersweet and weird for me. I know that I'll be back in October but I'll miss it. Wonderland Camp is my vacation spot, my second home. The people who work there and who truly want campers to have a good time are beyond great!