The Great Outdoors

By CARYS THOMPSON | Junior Reporter

Summer, for most of us, is about celebrating the end of the school year and enjoying every second that those precious two months offer us. A common pastime for kids to do during the summer is camp. Summer camp can be really fun, and there are so many types to choose from.

This summer I spent a week in the rugged mountains of Colorado at a summer camp called Camp Cal-Wood. Camp Cal-Wood is summer camp north of Boulder, Colorado, where connecting with nature is the ultimate goal.

When I first arrived at Camp Cal-Wood, I was extremely nervous, because I didn’t know a lot of people there. The only people I knew were my god-brothers and their friend.

The first night there, we roasted marshmallows around the campfire while the counselors put on a skit. The second day was the campout. During the campout, I met some of my god-brother’s friends and played card games. I never won.

During the week I was able to enjoy the outdoors and get to know my cabin-mates. One night, my cabin and I snuck into the kitchen and made funfetti cupcakes. They were so delicious, and we shared the rest with the other girl cabin.

On the last day of camp, the whole camp took a bus to a horse stable at Rocky Mountain National Park. There, we rode on scenic trails through the park. When we got back to camp, everyone packed their belongings.

Later that night, our cabin decided to raid the kitchen. When we got to the main lodge, we realized the other cabins had the same idea. Soon there was music playing and hot chocolate was being passed out. A game of limbo was started and everyone had a great time.

The next day we all said our goodbyes.

When I came home from camp, I really did miss it. Living in the mountain air and going on hikes was refreshing, and I really enjoyed being in the outdoors. Connecting with nature isn’t something you very often in the city, so it was nice that I was able to really explore the wilderness.

After spending a week at Camp Cal-Wood, I was ready to head back home. When I got back to Los Angeles, I spent a week getting ready for my last camp of the summer: Camp Hollywoodland.

Camp Hollywoodland is an all girls camp located in the heart of the Hollywood hills. At Camp Hollywoodland, there is always something to do.

When I went for my fourth year there, I was able to make friendship bracelets and go swimming with my friends. At Camp Hollywoodland, it is always super fun because you bond very well with your cabin-mates and you do all sorts of crazy activities together.

When Thursday comes at camp, the whole camp goes on a field trip. When I came to camp this summer, we went on a field trip to the beach and had a blast.