Geek Back from the Great Outdoors

Girl Scout camp had taught me three important lessons: never regret the smell of your own bathroom, the state of showers at home, and (most) food at home. While at camp, I spent my time in tents (called Island Downstream). It was very hot most of the time, which made the experience miserable at times...however, I did have a lot of fun. I guess I should give you the basic run down of what happened...

Sunday:

We arrived. I was expecting to be the youngest in the group, but ended up being the oldest. Luckily, one other person was in the same grade as I. Anyway, we played some “get to know you” games, and it seemed like an okay group at the moment. Our group was the smallest, and there were only six girls (the seventh decided not to come). I had the worst meal in my life that evening. (Note: at Girl Scout camp, you have to have what is called a “brownie bite”. Meaning you have to take at least something of everything and eat something of it. All of my brownie bites were really, REALLY small pieces). I hate ham, so I had a brownie bite. I hate green beans, so I had a brownie bite. I had applesauce, so I had a brownie bite. I usually like corn bread, so I ate three of them. Or, at least what I could eat...the bottoms were heavily burnt, and they tasted pretty bad. Dessert was pudding so I was able to eat that. Oh, such a lovely start to the week.

Monday:

Hm...I can’t really remember this day well...oh, yes! We took our swim tests today. It was really easy, and I was able to pass it to the point of swimming in the deepest part. (Note: candy at Girl Scout camp is not allowed). On this day, two of the girls in the other tent (3 per tent) thought the third girl had candy, so asked her for some. The third girl did have candy, so she gave them some. After eating the candy, the two other girls tattled on the third! Apparently, the third girl had gotten away with it for six years! She told the counselor that she needs candy before she goes to sleep because it helps her sleep, so the counselor gave her one per night. Oh, and this night we prepare for our rafting trip tomorrow.

Tuesday:

Despite what you may think, the group I was with was wonderful. For the rest of the week, we got along and became really good friends, I think. We noticed the larger grounds had a lot of arguing. Anyway, we get up earlier and take a two-hour drive to a place called White Water Challengers. We had a blast! Rafting was one of my favorite parts of camp. On the way back to camp, we had Dairy Queen (I had chicken fingers, fries, and a vanilla ice cream; after camp food, that was pure heaven...). I believe it was this night that we discovered the joy of cards. We played Bull (also known as B.S.). It was because it was thunder storming, so we all gathered (including the counselor) into one of the tents, played cards, and chatted.

Wednesday:

Our counselor ditched us! Of course, not on purpose. Another group needed another counselor to go with them canoeing. She tired to get permission for us to go, but their weren’t enough vans. Plus, it turns out that it was 90 degrees where they went, and they practically melted in the metal ovens also known as canoes.

Anyway, our group was first with this really cool counselor. She told us that she had a great time with us, because we were much calmer and better to be with then her group. Unfortunately, we had to go with another group, but before we did, we snuck around, avoiding them. We almost succeeded, if the other counselor didn’t spot the counselor we were with. It was so funny, though! At this time, we did low ropes with the other group (we did the porthole, and the spider web, if you’ve heard of them...). I swear, this one counselor’s group couldn’t have completed anything if it weren’t for us! They spent a lot of time arguing...but then after we had to stop doing the low ropes courses, we were dumped on another counselor, yet again...then finally we ended up with the cool counselor again. We made foam picture frames, and then she let us go back and play cards for a while. It was a lot of fun. And, I believe it was this day I learned a card game called “Four Corners” and “ERS” (I have no idea what it stands for).

Thursday:

We did quite a bit of card games this day (by now everyone knows how to play Four Corners and we’d play it any opportunity we got). Today was our first day besides the swim test to go swimming. I mean come on! The title of our group was “Wild About Rivers”! Oh, well...the creek really stank, anyway. We also took a hike today, and the other girls were a bit freaked because we kept on finding bear tracks. Alas, we saw no bear. But it was creepy, because when we got back, the girls around the “singing tree” just happened to be singing a song about a bear...

This night was the “final campfire”. Even though everyone in my group couldn’t wait to get home, we did shed a few tears. We had a great time because we had such good company. I believe this group was the greatest I’ve ever had, including our counselor. Other people at the campfire, were bawling, making me even more sad. However, one of the girls was able to brighten our spirits by saying, “Boy, those other girls must be beaten or something at home, because I know I don’t want to stay one more second here at camp.” I know it sounds rude, but it made me laugh and feel better. And, of course, the girl didn’t really mean to be rude.

Friday:

We had packed the night before, and prepared to leave today. Also, today was the only day we went kayaking! I had waited for Girl Scout camp only to go kayaking for what seemed like less then 10 min?! Oh, well...I’ve learned my lesson: never rely on Girl Scout camp for kayaking. Anyway, I was the first to leave. When they found out I was leaving, we were playing KEMPS (a card game that requires teams, etc.), and they at first were more concerned about getting another person to play rather then me leaving :P. But of course, they said good-bye, and I miss them all and I hope they somewhat miss me...but now, we’re all in our nice houses (though, mine is without AC).

Tonight, I saw the beginning of Stargate SG-1 season nine (and Stargate Atlantis season two). Boy, the beginning of Stargate SG-1 was depressing, finding out that all the members of SG-1 were gone. But three of ‘em will definitely be back, I think. I really liked the first episode, except for the “To Be Continued” part. Whoever decided that that should be put into slavery under the Goa’uld. After all, the Goa’uld will need the slave labor because of the newly forming Jaffa nation. Now, I’m just waiting for my sister to come home so I can begin the sixth Harry Potter book.