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collissimon
04-14-2006, 09:34 AM
Letters from Camp is a series (http://www.talkcamp.com/showthread.php?t=651) of fictional letters from 'Camper', an eleven-year-old writing home to his parents about his first summer at camp. He is in the youngest unit, aged between 10-12 years old.


Hello Mom,

Yes I have written to Dad, and I did get Oma’s letter, but I’ve not written back yet. What did you think of our dance?

I went up the wall today! It was really high, and I slipped off twice but Anthony –he’s the specialist who sleeps in our cabin, but works on Walls and Ropes. You met him on Sunday. He kept me hanging in the air, so I could get a grip on the wall again.

When you got to the top, you were fastened to the wall, and then they fastened you to another rope, and you had to jump off! There’s a bell and you try to hit it, but I didn’t manage it. I chose to go down really quickly, like a bowling ball, and my legs were all wobbly. Kevin, the new counselor in B7, went up too –he went up really quickly, and jumped out really far.

The other exciting thing that happened today is that Simon got a mohican! He got John from next door to cut his hair, and he looks really strange! He says he might regret it, because he’s not sure his mom is going to be pleased.

Got to go,
Camper

Letters from Camp is based at Summit Camp, Pennsylvania. Summit is a camp for children with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, such as ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, or juvenile on-set bi-polar disorder, and has a no-sugar food policy.

Dave
04-14-2006, 12:05 PM
Ahh the bell. We have that at our camp too. We have to climb up one of those rope ladders up a really high tree. Then when we get to the top we jump out as far as we can and hit the bell. We call it the leap of faith because you have to have faith in the person who you're harnessed to on the ground. They have to hold the rope when you jump, and if they let go, that's the end of you. :P

collissimon
04-14-2006, 04:50 PM
We call it the leap of faith too: I got to do it during mini camp in my first year, and it was a really big thing for me, because I didn't think I'd be able to get to the top, but I had to sit down on the precipice and sort of shuffle off because I was pretty scared to jump :D

Sparkes
04-15-2006, 02:02 AM
Ah, I did the butt shuffle off the top of the wall down the zip line. The kids freaking run off the top of the wall, but I'm a huge scardy cat so I inched out and kinda just dropped off it. Way less scary!

KiwiCRB
04-15-2006, 02:45 AM
You know what takes a leap of faith? Climbing a rock while and hearing the person who is belaying you being taught how to belay when you're about 30 feet up. Oh geeze...

collissimon
04-15-2006, 05:35 AM
That sounds exciting Kiwi :D Just adds to the drama!

I've never done the Wall with the kids around... there isn't usually time to get 9 kids up and counsellors in a single period. We have staff climbs but I always forget to go!

I don't think it was less scary, because it kinda rocked in the wind and you looked down more, but it was either that or someone giving me a push with their shoe ;)

ArtisticEric
04-15-2006, 06:06 PM
Wow these letters keep poping up every time i log in .... keep up the good work simon.

collissimon
04-16-2006, 05:31 AM
Thanks :D There will be about three more, so keep your eyes peeled!!

CAMPFRIEND
04-17-2006, 01:54 PM
I wish I would have read this one first. Great letter!

collissimon
04-17-2006, 02:18 PM
Thanks :) No probs!