Wonderland Camp (July 7, 2024)

 

The week of July 7th, I went to Wonderland Camp at the Lake of Ozarks. It was so much fun! I was in the Charles A cabin. I saw my friends: Alyssa, Cookie, Haley, Ty, Kayla, Angel, Ann, Chris, and Megan. I met some new friends too: Hannah, Shy, Elizabeth, Chase, Emily, and Brandy. A camper, whom I’ll call Mr. Shark in this entry (lol), also flirted with me all week. Even though I was flattered and he was a sweet guy, he wasn’t my type. I just smiled to be polite (I did like the attention though lol). Alyssa, Cookie, Kayla, Chase, and I went to the playground Sunday afternoon (I went on the wheelchair swing and played with sticks).

Later, we had a “campfire” in Miller Hall because it was raining. It was still fun and relaxing. We still sang the silly camp songs and had yummy s’mores.   

On Monday morning, we had archery. Alyssa or I couldn’t aim (lol) but it was fun. In Arts and Crafts, we tie-dyed our shirts. Cookie and I wanted matching shirts, so we decided on three colors: pink, purple, and blue. Our shirts looked so cool. Later that afternoon, we went to the pool. For the first time in a while, I went into the water (I usually go to the splash pad because I’m sort of nervous about drowning lol). Alyssa talked me into it, promising to hold onto me. It was a blast! Cookie and I splashed each other. I even went underwater a few times!!  

Later in the evening, we had a carnival. Because it was raining again, the carnival was in Miller Hall, but it was still fun. There were games, cotton candy, snow cones, face painting, and music. I played most games, ate pink cotton candy, got a fox painted on my face, and hung out with people. A nice carnival volunteer gave me a blue bracelet (that was so kind of him). Cookie and I then played Jumbo Connect Four. It was a good night. 

It was raining on Tuesday morning, so we had inside activities. We played Bingo. Then, I made bracelets and necklaces with Alyssa. I found two round, Christmas bells in the bead box. I thought these bells looked cool, so I asked Alyssa to put them on a string (I’m weird, lol). 

In the afternoon, it stopped raining. We shot BB guns. Alyssa attempted to aim (lol) and I pulled the trigger with a stick. We then did the rock wall. I love going to the top. It feels like flying. 

Later on, we had a water fight with Megan. The water was beyond cold, and I was shivering, but it was worth it. It was awesome! People were laughing and running around. Megan also put the hose over my head. We even sprayed Ty as he drove away in the golf cart. It was so funny! 

In the evening, the sidewalks had rows and rows of trucks and machines. I let Angel and Kayla drive my chair as we looked at the trucks. We got to take pictures in front of or inside the trucks. It was pretty cool.

When Alyssa got off her break, the two of us hung out in the sensory room. 

We had Rec at the basketball court on Wednesday morning. We put whipped cream and dessert toppings all over our counselors. It was strange but very hilarious!

Then, we had Nature. We made DIY Chia Pets (I don’t think they worked, but I give the nature guy an A for effort lol). After Nature, we had Arts and Crafts. We decorated workshop aprons. I decorated my apron with my name, smiley faces, and googly eyes. Why googly eyes? Because they remind me of the Muppets! (lol). 

Cookie, Alyssa, and I then had lunch in the sensory room. We just needed some quiet. Now, I get why people love hanging out in that room. It was comfy.

Later that afternoon, we had a tea party in Miller Hall. I thought it was adorable that Wonderland Camp was doing something Alice In Wonderland-related. Plus, the chocolate chip cookie was delicious. Then, we got to ride on the camp’s new mini-tram. It was so cool! 

The talent show was in the evening. Before my turn, I gulped down my Mountain Dew to numb the scratchy throat, (don’t worry, it was just from my allergies going nuts), but I had a blast singing on stage. I sang “Where I Belong” by Simple Plan, State Champs, and We The Kings. The rest of the talent show was so cute.

We got to eat breakfast in our cabin on Thursday morning because we had an early boat ride. I thought eating breakfast in the cabin was awesome! It was cozy. Then, we went down to the waterfront to ride the boat. I sat by Kayla on the boat ride. We were talking and laughing. As the boat sped through the water, gray, puffy clouds were coming toward us, and small raindrops slowly fell on us. No one cared until they heard thunder in the distance. This is the moment when the mini-adventure began. We raced back to the dock. As the rain poured down, we rushed back to the tractor and back up to camp. 

After rest time, we had Beam, where they projected a game like Candy Crush onto the floor. Campers play with a tap of a foot or a roll of a wheel. I’m not the greatest at it (lol), but I had fun. I noticed that my wheelchair driving gets better too when I do it. 

Before dinner, I put on my outfit for the dance; my black Simple Plan t-shirt, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes. After dinner, I added black eyeshadow and red lipstick to my look. A camper asked me if I was an emo girl, which made me smile because even though I’m in my thirties, I’m still Goth/emo at heart. 

At the dance, the music boomed, and laughter was everywhere. Cookie, Kayla, Mr. Shark, and I hung out and spun around on the stage. We twirled, talked, laughed, and acted goofy. I had so much fun that I was exhausted by the end of the night! 

Friday was bittersweet. I was ready to see my parents and my bedroom (lol), but I didn’t want to leave camp. People were packing up and signing shirts. I got the Aqua Woman Award. I’m excited to go back in October with Alyssa and Cookie. I love my adventures there. Until next time…oh, Wonderland, I love. 

Smooches and think Tink!