Dear Mom and Dad: Camp Bites the Big One

Jun 25, 2012 | Filed Under: Slide Shows, The Work of Kids

I have many wonderful memories from my childhood, none of which include my experiences at summer camp. Well, not REAL camp, at any rate. Nerd camp (that would be orchestra and drama camps) were full of pure awesome for me, while real camp — we’re talking roughing-it-in-the-woods-with-latrines-and-sneaky-ass-squirrels kind of camp — have given me nothing but peed pants, nightmares and the worst stomach virus IN THE UNIVERSE. Oh yes, in third grade, I went camping with the Girl Scouts and, while unsuccessfully trying to hover above the dirty, smelly outhouse toilet — a toilet in which I’m convinced alligators and raccoons had taken up residence and were just waiting for me to sit my lily-white butt on there so they could announce, “DINNER!” — I managed to pee all over my pants instead. At which point the alligators and raccoons announced, “Forget dinner — come check out this mess, guys!” before dissolving into a fit of laughter.

Ten years later, I bravely overcame my outhouse tragedy to accept a job as a camp counselor in the middle of a Pennsylvania town I believe was called Bumblef*ck Nowhere. A glamorous position, it was, with my very own wood hut and a spectacular mattress last used by George Washington. Fast forward two weeks later, and I am begging my parents to pick me up in their getaway car and not look back, especially because I was in the backseat with my head out the window, heaving up the delicious contents of my meals from the last few days. Con: I had contracted the worst stomach virus known to man. Pro: I also lost some of that Freshman 50 I had gained! Woo… hoo?

In other words, don’t mention the word “camp” to me unless it also involves really cool outdoorsy stuff. Like arpeggio exercises or a chamber music retreat.

And these kids hold similar views of camp, as evidenced by their letters — some of which can be found in P.S. I Still Hate It Here! More Kids’ Letters From Camp, while others I tracked down here.

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Hmmm... looks like the counselors edited this one for her.

In other words, having a great time! Kisses!

Wonder if the eggs have anything to do with his p-nus rash?

Wait, the message of this one is subtle. What is she trying to say, exactly?

Lost pen emergency? Um, I'm pretty sure that's why 911 was invented.

3 Comments

About Candy

Candy Kirby is the founder of The Laughing Stork and a professional fun-maker who will never stop chasing her lifelong dream: to find the Pomeranian or porn star after whom her parents must have named her. She also used to be a staff writer for the soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful, where she penned many scripts featuring prolonged heated stares and countless “Who’s the Daddy?” story lines. Candy lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two young kids and three rescue Persian cats who enjoy blanketing every inch of the house in kitty fur. For more of Candy's nonsense, check out her personal Twitter, The Laughing Stork's Twitter and The Laughing Stork's Facebook page.

3 Responses to “Dear Mom and Dad: Camp Bites the Big One”

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Mrs. Harrison Ford says:

I camped with the Girl Scouts as well. Hard ground, hot tents, and outhouses are just a few of the reasons I don’t camp now. That and I really enjoy electricity and all that it brings (cable, air conditioning, cold Mountain Dew, etc). Maybe we should try Glamping? Like at the Beverly Hilton?
June 25th, 2012 at 7:45 pm - Reply
- Candy says:
  
  Perfect! I’ll bring the Mountain Dew.
  June 25th, 2012 at 10:05 pm - Reply
  - Mrs. Harrison Ford says:
    
    I’ll hit up a bulk store for alcohol.
    June 29th, 2012 at 5:00 pm - Reply