109: Notes on Camp

Girl 1

She wants to go home.

Homesick Girl 1

I do. I swear to God, I want to go home.

Girl 2

The food is like the best.

Homesick Girl 2

I want to go home too.

Girl 3

Including me.

Instructor

I know it's really hard for you ladies to keep it quiet, but try, OK? Aim and fire.

[GUNSHOTS]

Girl 1

I know. All the time during school, I'm like, I want to go to camp. I want to do this.

Girl 2

Camp is all I talk about during the year.

Girl 2

Yeah. My friends get so mad at me. They're like, we don't want to hear about camp anymore.

Because everything that goes on at home, you can always think of something that relates something that happened at camp. And so then you tell that, and they'll be like, camp? We've heard about camp way too much.

Girl 1

It's also little stories you tell, and you think they're so funny and everybody in your cabin understands them. And then you go home and you're laughing, and they give you a look like, what are you talking about? Like, that's stupid.

David Himmel

Let's try the chorus again, because something in that last part is weird.

David Himmel

All right. Ready?

Dean Hines

Yeah.

David Himmel

OK. (SINGING) And even Hitler had a girlfriend who he could always call. She'd always be there for him, in spite of all his faults. He was the worst guy ever, vile and despised. Even Hitler had a girlfriend, so why can't-- (SPEAKING) It goes to high there. That's the problem, It's going too high.

Dean Hines

You think so?

David Himmel

(SINGING) Even Hitler had a girlfriend, so I can't--

David Himmel

Camp. it's number one with everything I do, I guess. Camp is just-- it's kind of ridiculous, but it's everything. It changes people's lives. People base their life around camp. I would not be who I am if it wasn't for camp.

David Himmel

I don't know. I think I enjoy things better now because of camp. When you live so close to people like this-- and it's sort of like college-- but everybody at camp is just real close knit. It's like a bond that just happens. And that's why a day at camp is like two weeks in real life. It's like a time warp here.

Girl 1

He is the best counselor.

David Himmel

This is my fan club. [LAUGHS]

Girl 2

He's the best counselor in the world, and we love him so much.

Girl 1

He takes us sailing.

Girl 2

He takes us sailing. He's cool. We made him all this food, made him a song.

Girl 1

And we have a song for him.

Girl 2

No, you guys don't know it. I'll sing it.

(SINGING) All across the big lake, Davey's the one that keeps us awake. We got the rudder, we got the sail. Davey, [CLAPS] [CLAPS] he's our male. We got a D-A-V-E-Y. We got a D-A-V-E-Y. We got a D-A-V-E-Y. Davey, [CLAPS] [CLAPS] he's our guy. D-A-V-E-Y, Davey, Davey. D-A-V-E-Y, Davey's number one. Davey's number one, Davey's number one. D-A-V-E-Y, Davey's number one. Whoo!

Announcer

It's time for lunch. Everyone, get out of your cabins, please, immediately, and head over to get some delicious food. That would mean stop playing ping pong right now. Let's go. Go to lunch. Almuerzo. La comida.

Mohawks

(CHANTING) Mohawk once, Mohawk twice. [INAUDIBLE]

David Himmel

I made that up.

David Himmel

Well, it's a radio version of the original Mohawk-- it's called the Mohawk Song. It goes, Mohawk once, Mohawk twice. Holy jumping, golly gee, Cheez Whiz, we're the best that ever lived. And it's a clean version. There's a dirty version with swear words in it. And we started singing it at lunch. We kept on getting in trouble, I said, well, we got to make a clean one.

David Himmel

And it just popped into my head, and it's kind of cool hearing that. I started all these things.

David Himmel

Well, when somebody has a birthday, we sing "Happy Birthday" to them. And this is kind of dumb, but I get a kick out of it. We go, (SINGING) Happy birthday to you-- and last year, I went, whoo! And now everybody does it. And it's just kind of cool. You make stuff up, and--

David Himmel

You got four 13-year-olds just chilling in a circle.

David Himmel

Sitting on the ground, Indian style. It's like a powwow. And Dan is with Amanda, and he's going to try and kiss her tonight.

David Himmel

That's what I asked him. I said, have you ever kissed a girl? He said, well, not French. I said, do you got the gall to do it? Can you do it? You need some pumping up? He's like, no, I got it.

David Himmel

Amanda's the one with the hair braid.

David Himmel

Yeah.

David Himmel

He's a quiet kid. I mean, he doesn't really say anything unless he has something to say. Hey, buddy. He's a cool kid. He's a really--

David Himmel

In the cabin, or in general?

David Himmel

Oh, with Amanda? I think he's doing good. She's really into him. In that hair thing, she's got three beads that says, A heart D. Amanda loves Dan. And I talked to her, and I'm like, so how's Dan? (IMITATING AMANDA) Oh, he's fine. You like him? (IMITATING AMANDA) Yeah. So I think he's doing good.

David Himmel

Keith.

Keith

What?

David Himmel

What are you smiling about?

Keith

Nothing.

David Himmel

And Dan? Nothing happened?

Dan

We just talked the whole night. And, well, we were just sitting there [LAUGHS] the whole night.

Boy

Why are you so embarrassed?

Dan

We were just talking the whole night about really nothing. And then, just after, we-- I didn't get anywhere. I just hugged her at the end. I didn't really get anywhere.

David Himmel

If you had tried, do you think you could have?

Dan

Yeah, I would have.

David Himmel

So it's your fault, then.

Dan

No, it's her fault.

David Himmel

Why is it her fault?

Dan

Because she didn't-- well, I could have made a move, I guess. But she didn't-- it's her fault. She--

David Himmel

She's not going to make the move.

Boy

Yeah, I think she likes you. You got to go for it.

Girl 1

You know how every camp has their little ghost story?

Sarah

Ours is about--

Girl 1

We have the story of Turtleman.

Sarah

I'll tell it.

Girl 1

OK. Sarah will tell it.

Boy

The Turtleman story? All right, I'll tell it.

Sarah

Long-- you can help me out if I do it wrong. A long, long time ago, there was this counselor who was really mean to all of his campers and everything.

Boy

I can't remember how many years ago it was. But supposedly, there was this counselor, and he was dishonorably discharged from the military. And he was real, real mean to all the campers. He always took their food and stuff and, like, stole their clothes and stuff like that.

Sarah

He would beat them and everything, and his campers were so afraid of him.

Girl 2

And he said, if you tell anybody about me--

Sarah

Yeah, he said, if you tell anyone about me, then I'll kill you all.

Girl 3

And he would read their letters, so they couldn't write home and tell about it.

Boy

And one year, these campers had a foot locker filled with fireworks. But he found them, and he took them from them.

Sarah

And so, on the Fourth of July, the guys were like, oh, well, he's so mean. We should try and kill him ourselves. We're not really this vicious here, but-- so they put fireworks under his bed. And once he had fallen asleep, they all went up there and they lit--

Girl 1

No, he was smoking.

Sarah

Oh.

Girl 1

He was smoking a cigarette.

Boy

And then I guess they could smoke in the cabins because, I mean, it was many, many years ago, and I guess there wasn't a law. And he took them, and he put the fireworks underneath his bed, and he fell asleep.

Girl 3

And, well, a cigarette fell out of his hand and into the foot locker.

Sarah

The fireworks got lit, and he exploded. And he ran into the lake on fire.

Boy

And supposedly, he's still alive.

Sarah

Every Fourth of July, he comes back, and he takes revenge on a camper and pulls him into the lake.

Boy 2

Every Fourth of July, he comes out of the lake and takes someone in for his next victim. But what really happens on the Fourth of July is either a counselor or one of the Mohawks, without asking anyone, goes into the lake and comes out and scares the heck out of everyone.

Boy 3

But yeah, some of them really believe it. So it's cool.

Sarah Turkisher

And then you tell all the little kids, but you're kind of cautious--

Jenny Mayer

It's not true, is it?

Sarah Turkisher

No.

Jenny Mayer

You said it was true.

Sarah Turkisher

It is true.

Jenny Mayer

Who made it up, though?

Rebecca Stern

It's a legend.

Sarah Turkisher

It's a legend.

Rebecca Stern

It's a camp legend.

Sarah Turkisher

There's always a legend of camp.

Rebecca Stern

Yeah.

Jenny Mayer

So is it true, or isn't it true?

Sarah Turkisher

It's not.

Rebecca Stern

You'll never know.

Sarah Turkisher

Time does not tell.

Rebecca Stern

No. You'll find out.

Boy 1

He said his friend died from Candyman.

Boy 2

He was crying last night because of the Candyman.

Boy 1

I was this close to killing myself because it was so scary.

Boy 2

And that freaked me out, like hysterically.

Boy 1

We had to leave the bathroom light on last night because I keeped on saying, turn on the bathroom light on, man, I'm so scared.

Boy 2

We kept our light on the whole night because we were so scared.

Boy 1

Who's ready?

Boy 2

Let's do it.

Boy 3

OK, guys. Ready to be chantful.

Boy 1

Everybody in.

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

Boy 1

--Bloody Mary--

Alex

I'm Alex, and we're going to do a little seance over Bloody Mary. We're going to go into the bathroom. I think our whole cabin is going to because this is going to be a great time.

Boy 3

Yeah.

Alex

What you're going to probably see is a bloody face when you say Bloody Mary 40 times.

Boy 1

You'll see the bloody face of Bloody Mary.

Boy 1

Yes. Face in the blood, very ugly.

Boy 3

Bloody face.

Boy 1

It's going to be scary.

Boy 2

If you act like you have a baby in your hands, and you say Bloody Mary 50 times, then you'll have, actually, a dead baby in your hands.

Boy 1

It's Bloody Mary's baby, they say. She threw it up in the air, and she didn't catch it in time, and it fell.

Boy 1

Yeah.

Boy 2

It's called Blue Baby. It's called Blue--

Boy 3

Baby Blue. Not Blue Baby.

Boy 1

It's time to do this Bloody Mary bloody thing. Turn off the lights.

Boy 2

Let's get scared. Ready? 1, 2--

Boys

(CHANTING) Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. Bloody--

Boys

Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary.

Boy 1

Bloody Mary. Stop! Crap, it didn't-- how many times did you do it?

Boy 2

40 times.

Boy 3

You have to do it 50--

Boy 1

Guys, why did you do that?

Boy 3

I felt a baby in my hands.

Boy 1

He felt a baby in his hands. It worked.

Boy 3

I felt a baby in my hands.

Boy 4

So do I. And you're supposed to go like this.

Boy 1

Yeah.

Boy 2

Yeah.

Boy 4

It worked in a different way than we expected it to, but you felt Baby Blue in your hands.

Woman 1

When I was five, my parents got divorced, and my father remarried the day after. In fact, he eloped to South Dakota because, in Minnesota, you had to wait six months between your divorce and remarriage. And then when I was eight, my mom died, and we were adopted by a nice, young couple, my sister and brother and I.

And I remember one year, we went to a long weekend type of religious camp. It was sponsored through our church, but it had counselors there from a lot of different churches. And there was this one guy there that looked just like my dad. And I must have been, I don't know, nine and a half, 10. I was convinced that that was my father and that he had realized the error of his ways. And I had imagined that there must be some prohibition on him contacting the kids after he put them up for adoption, and I just thought this was his way of checking on us.

And I would say things, like leading statements like, do you remember when I was little and you fixed my dolly, Peaches? Well, of course, he just looked at me like I was nuts. I mean, he must have thought, what an odd little girl. But I was sure. And I told my sister, Tracy, isn't that Dad? And she said, no, of course not. But I was sure. Somehow, it made me feel better, as strange as that seems. For that long weekend, that was my dad.

Woman 2

My mother emigrated to the United States from Germany in the '50s, and her understanding of American culture and traditions wasn't always quite clear. And one of her confusions was about summer camp. She knew that kids should go to summer camp, but she didn't realize that it usually involved 24-hour adult supervision. So one week, she drove us up to a campground on the coast of Malibu and set us up in this tent and left us some groceries, and then she drove home to go back to work.

And so I was left in charge of my brothers, and I was 12 and my brothers were 10 and 7. And we were at summer camp. We played in the ocean. We played in the little stream that ran by our campsite. We picked things and tried to figure out whether they were edible. And the only problem that we had, really, was that we had to keep it a secret that our parents weren't there, and this involved lots of stealth and subterfuge. We would notice that campers were looking over in our direction at some point and kind of wondering where our parents were.

So in the morning, when we got ready to go to the beach, I would unzip the tent and yell into the tent, bye, Mom, bye, Dad. We're going to the beach, see you later and hope that we'd be overheard doing this. And my brothers kind of picked up on this, so one of them, when he would see a man in a car driving out of the campground, if he was alone, he would yell after him, bye, Dad. Don't forget the Popsicles, as if the guy in the car were going to get us some groceries. We were pretty obsessed with groceries.

And a week later, my mom came back. We had called her and told her how much we hated summer camp. And she thought that we were extremely spoiled because we didn't appreciate this great outdoor experience that was obviously a big part of American life.

Adina

The first year I went, I was 10 years old. And that was a kind of a fluke because my parents were very committed left-wingers, and they wouldn't let me join the Girl Scouts because my mother called them a bunch of little brown shirts. And they wouldn't let me go to a fashionable summer camp because they didn't believe in fashion. So my father asked a friend where his kids went, and his kids went to this very left-wing, Zionist camp. And so they got me in.

But we had, one day at lunchtime, a rock came through the window of the dining hall. And it landed in my soup, and there was a note wrapped around the rock. And it said, we don't want no Jew camps in Wisconsin. And so, of course, being a highly political group of people, they got together, and they had discussions, and they went on and on. And they posted guards. We had to paint our faces black so we wouldn't show up at night, and so on.

And so a bunch of us were sitting in the dining hall, and somebody said, look, out on the lawn. And there was this large cross burning out on the lawn of the campgrounds. And these people came in, and they were all wearing white sheets, and they had these white things over their heads like pillowcases. And they made us all go outside, and there was another guy in a white sheet and a white pillowcase riding up and down on a horse.

And they started to yell at us that they wanted the lousy Jews out of Wisconsin and that they didn't want no Jew camps in Wisconsin. And they said, don't bother trying to call the authorities because in this neck of the woods, we are the authorities. And everybody was just petrified.

And we all stood around, shaking in our boots, and all of a sudden, one of the counselors said, I'm an American citizen. You can't treat me like this. So two of the guys in sheets grabbed him by the arms and marched him away. And another counselor said, I'm an American citizen. You can't treat us like this.

And pretty soon, all the counselors were being marched away, and we were all left there. And I got really frightened. So I went, I'm an American citizen too. And somebody came over in a white sheet and took me down towards the beach. And as he was marching me down to the beach, he said to me, Adina, couldn't you have kept your big mouth shut? And it was all a political lesson that we were supposed to be learning.

Woman 3

Anyway, I was seven, and it was church camp. And several men dressed in black holding machine guns entered the chapel at different areas. They immediately tied the hands of the four pastors on stage and held a gun on the main pastor.

I think as soon as the man said, if you're a Christian, stand up, the devoted stood, and the rest just ran off. And there were kids running all over the woods. And as we walked to our cabin, we saw counselors with flashlights and bullhorns proclaiming it was only a play. We heard kids yelling and cursing and crying, and it was pretty bad.

Girl 1

Last year, first session, they took powwow away from us because it was politically incorrect or something. And we were all really upset because powwow was one of our biggest camp traditions, because we have a little song or whatever in the beginning. And it's--

Girls

[SINGING CHANT]

Girl 1

And you do different hand motions and everything to it, and it's really fun. And then you challenge other teams. It's fun. But then--

Girl 1

Our camp sings a lot.

Girl 1

And Jolie can, like, snap her belly button.

Jolie

Aw, I'm wearing a bathing suit.

Girl 2

I can sing all the vowels in "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." And you just do weird talents, and you challenge other teams.

Girl 3

At the end, if your team is the best, you get a peace feather.

Girl 1

The reason it got taken away last year was because a lot of the counselors felt that it was politically incorrect because the speeches that the Indians make are derogatory towards Native American culture, if you look at it that way.

Girl 1

We go to Lake-um of the Woods-um Camp-um.

Girl 4

Live-um in Vassar East-um. I teach-um camper naps how to walk-um on water-um. Inside jokes [INAUDIBLE] put into with adding stuff that Indians or whatever.

Girl 2

They're just so funny that it's not even-- no one even really thinks about it like that.

Girl 1

Yeah.

Girl 1

I think it's a really important part of camp. I mean, I personally-- I like the traditions because you know what's going to happen, and you can trust things that--

Girl 2

You expect it.

Girl 1

Yeah.

Girl 3

I come back for the traditions. I expect everything to be here the way it was last year because that's the reason I come back. If everything changed, I don't think I would like it anymore.

Adam Davidson

It's so exciting because you really feel-- I mean, you know-- that at that age, when you're 15, and you're in Israeli Army summer camp, there is no one in the history of the world who is cooler than an elite army unit soldier. I loved the fact that we would go to the bathroom, and the toilets wouldn't have a seat because that's a place where terrorists could put a bomb. And it just felt so macho crouching on top of the seat and showering in this freezing cold water. Because what? (IN ISRAELI ACCENT) A Sayeret Matkal would need hot water? Why?

Now for me, for the first few weeks, what was tough about this was that I was really a nobody there, and I'd always be bringing up the rear. I'd always be kind of slow. And I wasn't showing myself to be macho even though there were so many opportunities in a given day to prove yourself macho.

I mean, we were always, for no apparent reason, running like crazy from one tree to another tree, or up some mountain every few minutes, or something you could be the best at. And I was never the best.

But all of this changed. My geek status was completely transformed. One night, the different units would put on plays, and we were supposed to do take-offs of fairy tales. And this was some kind of a competition. There was voting over who did the best job.

So my group, [INAUDIBLE], our fairy tale was Steve White and the Seven Dwarfs. And I would be Steve White, this fabulous gay man who lives with these seven dwarfs, and the prince who comes to rescue me would be Rambo.

This was one of those moments where I just knew that I was in the zone. I was in my element. I mean, I was from Greenwich Village. I had been an actor all through my childhood. My dad was an actor.

But more than that, there's a way that Americans can be very free that Israelis can't be, precisely because they have to be macho. And no matter what they're doing, even if they're mocking themselves, they have to maintain that studliness. And I had no obligations in that area.

I dressed myself just-- I tried not to be too outrageous, but I had to be kind of outrageous for them to get it. So a little bit of rouge, a little bit of eyeliner, my hair kind of slicked back with mousse, and sort of ridiculously short shorts.

And so I'm lying there, and I hear a knock on the door. And I just stand up, and I remember the entire crowd is howling, just howling. And I just do the most awful, mincing gay voice, just who is it?

And my friend, who was a skinhead from Toronto whose parents happened to be Israeli, says, it's Rambo. And I say, oh, Rambo, you sexy beast. And everyone is freaking out, just laughing like mad, like maniacs. And of course, throughout it all, I'm making jokes about the camp members themselves, like saying, oh, I think Commander Oloney is just the thing. And everything I say, the entire crowd is just with me, is just laughing hysterically.

And what happens to Snow White-- to Steve White-- I eat the apple, I pass out, and I need to be resuscitated. So Rambo comes to kiss me, and what we had worked out is he put his hand in front of his mouth, and I put my hand in front of my mouth, and we just touched hands. And we'r kissing our mouths, but from a distance, it looks like we're making out.

And I mean, at this point, the camp, they're standing up, they're howling. I mean, I have transgressed every boundary that the Israeli man sets for himself, and they are loving the other side.

And from that point on, I was no longer the unknown American bringing up the rear of the obstacle course. I was like a movie star. I mean, everyone-- the Israeli guys, particularly the macho-est, toughest Israeli guys, constantly wanted to do this make out thing where we put our hands over our mouths and make out.

We'd be relaxing after some really long hike in the Negev Desert or something, and Nehtyu or Shaoul or whatever would come up to me and say, (IN ISRAELI ACCENT) it's very funny the way you do this make out thing. Show me do it. Let's do it.

And the first few times I would do it. I mean, I guess part of me was flattered that, like, the macho future Sayeret Matkal guys were into me in any way. But after a while, it was just so weird. I'd just be like, look, Shaoul, I'm just not going to do that. I don't do that anymore. I'm just not going to do it. And they'd be like, (IN ISRAELI ACCENT) why not? Do it. It's very funny, that's all. It's not for anything, but just the funny.

Now, I've been to plenty of camps, and in every camp, you're somehow a part of a team. I remember in Boy Scout camp when I was at horse riding camp, it was the people who rode horses in the morning versus the people who rode horses in the afternoon. And I just loved my guys, and I would look in the lunchroom at the other bunk and just-- I just didn't understand how you could even live in that bunk.

But Israeli Army summer camp is the purest distillation I've ever seen of this joy in being a part of the group. Every week, I would do things that I wouldn't have thought I could possibly do, and that was so incredible. And I knew that was because of the group. I knew that was giving me the force. And there was never a moment where I had to ask myself, can I do it? It was just, we're doing this. [INAUDIBLE] is going to do this.

Dayna Hardin

Oh, I'm almost in tears right now. [LAUGHS] I really am, because, I mean, it was the biggest honor in my life.

Lindsay Sayowitz

Is anyone here?

Girl 1

Hello? Who is this? B-L-A-I-R. Blair.

Lindsay Sayowitz

Our old friend.

Girl 1

Blair? We talk to her a lot. OK.

Girl 2

Do you know who the Color Days captains are for girls? Could you name one of them? OK.

Girl 1

A-L-I-S-S-A. Alissa. Alissa Strom.

Lindsay Sayowitz

She'll get it, I bet.

Counselor

Girls, it's time to wake up. Everybody up out of bed. Get a pair of pants on, shoes on. Wake up, [INAUDIBLE].

Counselor 1

We are here tonight to usher in our three days of competition known as Color Days. I call forth the first spirit. Do you hear me, O spirit? Come forth and tell us who you are and why you are here.

Counselor 2

I am the spirit of the white. I represent the clouds of a summer's day, white caps in the water, and the dove of peace and purity.

Counselor 1

What is the message you bring, O white spirit?

Counselor 2

It is a difficult thought to convey, but rich in meaning in every way. One can't find peace in a world of dream. Each person is a fraction, a part of the team. We have no choice, everyone must belong. If no one is weak, can the team be strong?

Counselor 1

I call forth the next spirit. Do you hear me, O spirit?

Counselor 1

In order that you may have time to consider carefully the meaning of these next few days, we ask that you now take a vow of silence. Please repeat after me. I will be silent.

Campers

I will be silent.

Jamie

OK, for those who don't know yet, I'm Jamie.

Lindsay

I'm Lindsey.

Beth

I'm Beth.

Lindsay

And we have an awesome team. I'm so excited.

Jamie

OK, are you guys excited? Just nod your head.

Lindsay

Just like that.

Lindsay

You guys, cheering tonight is the most important night to cheer. That's why--

Jamie

Cheer so loud. You guys, it is not normal if you don't lose your voices.

Lindsay

White team, listen! This is really important.

Jamie

This is really important, you guys. Really important.

Lindsay

Trying your best is the most important thing right now.

Jamie

You run your butt over here as fast as you can because it is so important that you guys don't miss any of our meetings.

[CROWD CHANTING AND CHEERING]

Lexie

It is really hard to get in on it, because I'm telling people to be louder because I know they're not being loud enough, but yet, I can't do it myself.

Lexie

I didn't expect it, but I really, really wanted captain. And I mean, it is a disappointment because it's something that you're eligible for. And if you don't get it, then you think about, or at least I think about, what I did to not do it and what I did wrong and how I'm not as decent as a person as other people. And it's just-- I mean, it's a letdown, but it's not everything. And that's what a lot of people lose grip of. That's what I always lose grip of, is that it's not everything, as much as it means. But it means a lot.

[CROWD CHANTING AND CHEERING]

Girl 1

White team, can I talk to you for a second? You guys, the Blue team is playing very dirty, and none of us should play like that at all. They knew I was already over, and yet they still felt that they needed to trip me.

Girl 2

But just don't complain about it. We're just going to kill them tonight.

Girl 1

No, I say we get them back right now by screaming so loud that they will have to plug their ears because that is how upset I am right now.

Girl 1

OK. First person--

Girl 2

Shh, you guys. Quiet, OK?

Girl 1

This is really important, you guys.

Girl 2

Really important.

Girl 1

First person is at the flagpole, and they have to eat one peanut butter and jelly sandwich as fast as they can and sing [INAUDIBLE] so fast.

Girl 2

You guys, you are up against Lexie Gore. She is the fastest eater I've ever seen. Yeah. She can shove it in her mouth it's crazy. And so you have to be really, really--

Girl 1

Who's got a big mouth who can eat really fast?

Jamie

I can eat really fast.

Girl 1

Jamie?

Girl 2

Jamie, you want to try that? Can you eat really fast?

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

Girl 2

You can sing while you have food in your mouth. You can be like-- [MIMICS TALKING WITH A FULL MOUTH]

Girl 1

Jamie, don't eat at dinner.

Jamie

But it's pizza night. Yeah.

Girl 1

Doesn't matter.

Girl 2

You guys. You guys.

Counselor

On your mark, get set, go.

Blue Team

Come on, Lexie. You got it. You got it.

White Team

Come on, Jamie.

[CHEERING AND CLAPPING]

Go Jamie.

[CHEERING AND CLAPPING]

Girl 1

Jamie, amazing. Absolutely amazing. Do you have any idea how much it takes to keep up with Lexie?

Girl 1

Oh, I am so scared right now. I am, like, here, but I'm not. I'm, like, somewhere else. Go Blue.

Girl 2

Yeah.

Lexie

It's strange. It's this whole thing, there's so many things to deal with. And then it's just all jumbled in at once, and it's confusing and-- I don't know.

Lexie

One camp summer has never meant so much to me now that we're getting older. And I'm so frightened of going into high school that I don't want to leave here anyway, but I'm so secure here. It's such a haven for me that I can't imagine going home.

Jamie

Also, I think it's hard, maybe not for you, but for me, since this is my last year, these are my last, like, three days of ever being a camper. And it's so weird. It's like, this is my last Tuesday at camp. This is my last dinner with my cabin. This is my last time ever being in a cabin with my friends. And that's what's so weird about it because you're just thinking about the last this, last that.

I'm kind of scared to go home, in a way, because my friends at home are so different from my friends here, and it's going to be scary.

Lexie

They're so dull. I don't mean that as in like-- I mean, I love my friends to death. But when you think of the things that we go through here, we're not really living at home. We go to school, and we go out. And It's not their fault, but the environment is so different that it's dull living at home.

I'm perfectly content here just sitting here getting mail. I don't really care as long as I just-- it's so strange. And I'm going to miss walking-- I was just talking to Lauren [INAUDIBLE] about this. I'm going to miss walking down the path. I'm going to miss the doors slamming. I'm going to miss the overflowing bathrooms. It's unreal that we have to leave.

Jamie

The stupid little things is what you really miss.

Adam Davidson

It's very funny the way you do this make out thing. Show me do it.

Adam Davidson

It's very funny, that's all. It's not for anything, but just the funny.