Preparation, Parades, and Pranks.

Hello, Everybody!

Anytown has come upon us and it's only a day away. I've come to this realization as I sat on the ground packing, an unusual, day before staff heads up. As I was doing this I began reflecting on past camps; looking at my "Hugs" and whatnot. I also began thinking of the recent events that had the "campy" feel to them.

Sunday was one of these events, Pride Parade. As the day began it was already horrendously gloomy. As I looked around I saw people preparing for their floats and looking to the sky praying, hoping Mother Nature would give us sunshine. We learned that day that Mother Nature is a Bigot. The rain fell hard on heads, just as hard as the Nineties hit Mili Vanili. We on the Inclusion Center float however, did not let this little bit of precipitation ruin our day. We carried on to Vogue and march our tired legs and feet. And at the end of the parade - one and all soaked, we had pulled through with smiles and Golf Clubs in hand. This attitude of taking the day for what it was - pride parade and not what it seemed, gloomy and unloving, had put me in the Anytown mood.

As tradition with almost any Camp that I've been to, I had thought I lost something. In the past it's been prayer bracelets, shoes, and headlamps. This year, I thought i had lost something before the camp even began, one of my recruits! After reminding one of the soon-to-be-delegates to begin packing, he had told me he wasn't comming. He claimed that one of the Anytown Counselors had told him not to come. After hearing this it was my duty to follow up, and follow I did. I called this counselor in question and after hearing a rushed explanation of, "He's been talking [smack] about me, spreading rumors, and pictures." Assuring this counselor that the said delegate would do nothing of the sort, I recieved a backlash of, "I can't beleive you're taking his side!" After abruptly ending the conversation I rushed my booty over to the Inclusion Center, seeking advice from the oh-so-wise, Emm. After being assured that everything was ok I carried on the day worrying but assuring myself that it would all work out. It was later that night when I recieved a call reavealing the whole ordeal as a hoax. Seriously guys, seriously?

As I look back upon these events I'm reminded of one thing; Anytown isn't a place, it's a way of life. Whether it be passing the judgement of first glances at anything from a gloomy day or person, to losing something and having it work out in the end, Anytown has taught me the best characteristics I have learned these past few years. Without the community that's built at each camp this would not be possible. So, I thank everybody that's ever been involved in any part of the process along with me, and those that continue the work for others. Thank You.