Ten months tiptoe by

leaving teachers and homework behind:

A year full of tests and pressure comes to an end.



Camp!

Waking up to the birds chirping at dawn,

and applying bug spray to keep the mosquitoes away.



The camp food makes me wish to be eating my

mom's home cooking rather than

the stale cereal and sour milk.



Being forced to swim when not in the mood, or when

it is too cold.

Told to swim in the lake in order to use the boats or go

on canoe trips.



Having cheesy night activities with the youngest kids

in camp:

talent shows, plays and putting on the hits.



Your clothes coming back from the laundry dirtier than you sent them,

or three sizes smaller, or even if they come back at all.



But there's no pressure.

And the lake glistens yellow while the sun rises,

and the sound of my own laughter is everlasting.