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“Today is the day we take down all of the other teams! Is everyone ready?!” I shout. “Yes” my teammates say in unison. For competition day 2 cabins merge together. Each team has to have 4 girls and 4 boys on it. Our team is, me, Rachel, Sasha, Emily, Zach, John, Matthew, and Henry. Emily was the girl who was late the first day of camp, she is super nice. Our team color is orange and we are the tigers. I have orange eye black all over me. I went all out for this! “Hands in! Tigers on 3?” I screamed. “1-2-3 TIGERS!” Everyone shouted as we threw our hands up in the air. “Let’s go get’em guys!” We all rush out of the camp doors into the yard where practically every sport is visible from. The jet skies are lined up at the starting banner, the archery gear is set up next to the podium, and the basketball is lying in the middle of the court.  Everything looks so spectacular, I know I have been to this camp before, but this year is different. This year I feel like I accomplished something very special, I even made a few friends along the way. After today, no matter if we win or lose, we will always be friends!

***

For our first match we are going up against the purple team, they are decent, but I still think we can beat them. “Okay now to spin the wheel to see what sport we will be competing in!” I tell my team. I give the wheel a spin and it comes to a slow, but steady stop on top of the word volleyball. “Volleyball it is! Let's go!” We run over to the beach volleyball court where we meet the purple team who definitely looks intimidated by all of the makeup we are wearing. We win the coin toss and we get to serve first, (every game is decided by a coin toss if there is one needed). We serve it to the other team, and as the game goes on we start to trail behind them in points. Nearing the end of the game, our teams are neck and neck. Honestly, it's anyone’s game. We play to 23, right now it is surprisingly 22-22, their serve. They go for a spike, but we are able to save it. We go in for a spike as well, but they also save it. I bump it up to Rachel who sets it to Sasha who hits the ball in the top corner of the box! We won!! “WOOHOO! That was awesome Sasha!” I compliment. “Thanks, I played all throughout middle school!” Now our group has 1 point. This competition is all about how many points you have at the end of the game. The people at the end of all of the competitions face off with the jetski race. On my old team Isabella would always do that race for us, and she never gave me a chance. I think I could beat her. In fact, I know I can beat her!

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Dear Mom, I hope this letter finds you well. I know you wanted me to write. Yes, I have made friends in my new cabin. They are very nice and supportive. Although, Sophie, Cameron, and Isabella were being very mean to me and my cabin today. I stood up to them because I felt like it was the right thing to do. Was it though? I think I just lost 3 friends. On the other hand, I gained 2 friends for life. I think next year I want to be in cabin 14 again.  Let me know what you think I should do. Love you! Can't wait to see you!

Sincerely, Regan (Your favorite child)

Dear Regan, You know I love you and I respect everything that you do. I think you made the right choice. If they want to disrespect you then maybe those aren’t your real friends. Real friends don’t make fun of you. They support you. I hope this answers your questions. I can’t wait to see you again too!  XOXO Mom

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I can’t wait! Today is field day! Every cabin trains for the big tournament on the last day of camp. Today we will be playing amongst our cabin teammates. Some of the games include: dodgeball, soccer, flag football, archery, paddle boarding, rock climbing, and a few other sports. Most importantly, jet skiing! That is what decides it all! Today we are practicing all of those sports to train for the tournament. We will be starting at the archery station first. OH NO! Behind us is cabin #4!! They are practicing rock climbing. “Hey Regan! How’s it going in the loser cabin! HAHA!” One of my friends shouted. Wow that isn’t very nice of them. “Every year cabin 14 comes in last place and we always win!” Another one of my friends shouted. “Oh yeah, well this year they have me and you don’t. Good luck. You’ll need it!” I scream at them. We have to beat them now. That crosses the line. No one messes with Sasha and Rachel like that. I turn to my teammates to see their upset faces. “Don’t worry guys! We will crush those meanies!” I try to pump them up, but they are still wearing frowns. “It’s true” Sasha says. “What is?” I ask. “What your friends said, we have never won.” Rachel adds. “Well, are you going to let them talk to you like that? After all you have been through? Are you just going to let them push you around? I don’t think so. You girls are strong and you shouldn't listen to what those other girls have to say. I think you guys are awesome!” After that pep talk, Rachel and Sasha are beaming at me. “Thanks, I think all we needed was a boost!” Sasha told me. I can’t wait to crush them in the tournament!

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I arrived panting at the front desk. The man asks me if I was interested in switching cabins. I quickly responded, “yes, of course, definitely!” But as soon as I said that I could hear Sasha and Rachel behind me. “Why? Why would you lie to us? Please give us an honest answer. We thought we were becoming friends.” Sasha mumbled under her tears. “Well you see all of my friends are in cabin 4 and I was supposed to be too. My mom accidentally typed a 1 before the 4 and got my cabins mixed-up. So when I heard about an opportunity I sprung up because I knew it was a second chance being granted to me. I know I shouldn’t have lied to you, I just didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Now that I am here, and now that I know how fun you guys really are, I think I’ll be staying in cabin 14 for a while.” The man behind the counter looks shocked as much as Rachel and Sasha. “That means a lot to us and I am very happy that you decided to bunk with us this week. We promise to make this the best week of your life! Pinkie swear!” Rachel says. I lock pinkies with Rachel and then with Sasha. Little did I know this friendship was just getting started!

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This is it. My cabin. I’m standing frozen in front of the small cabin labeled: CABIN 14, at the top. I am almost in tears. This was supposed to be the year that my friends and I conquer this camp, but I can’t really do that without my friends. As I stare in my misery, I am awakened by a cheerful girl. She threw herself out of cabin 14 with another girl at her side. “Hi! You must be new here! I am Sasha and this is Rachel! Welcome to cabin 14! We’ll have lots of fun and we’ll make tons of friends. I’ll show you to your bunk! Follow me!” Sasha grabs my hand and pulls me inside. “Here I’ll help you with all of your items.” Rachel picks up my luggage and takes it inside. This cabin is huge. H-U-G-E Huge. It looks really small from the outside. “You will be sleeping on this bunk bed. It’s only us three plus another girl who hasn’t arrived yet. You can choose if you want top or bottom bunk before she comes.” Sasha mentioned. “Thanks! I like the top bunk. Rachel if you don’t mind, could you drop my luggage over in that corner.” I ask. “No problemo!” This might not be as bad as I thought it would be. “Ring Ring” The cabin phone line starts to ring. I pick up the green telephone and ask, “hello, this is Regan Stephans from cabin 14, what is the matter?” There is a male voice on the other end of the phone. It sounds very familiar. Turns out it was the guy from the front desk, “hi good afternoon, we would just like to offer you a spot in cabin 4, as requested. One of the girls who was supposed to be in that cabin, unfortunately can’t make it due to health issues. We were just letting you have the option of where you would like to stay for the next week. Come to the front desk when you have made your decision. Thank you, have a good day.” OMG! Yes! A second chance! “Who was that on the line?” Sasha asks curiously. “Ummmmm” I say knowing that they would be heartbroken to know that I was about to ditch them for another cabin, “...it was just the…plumbers, yeah they have to check the water pipes before they can let us stay here. They are on their way now.” I responded hesitantly. “Oh well where are you going in such a rush?” Another great question. “ I- uh… have to walk them over to our cabin!” Yes, great save. “Oh, we’ll come too!” Rachel insisted. “Uh… no it’s ok I'll be fine. Just make sure the new girl doesn’t try to steal my top bunk!” I joked. Phew, that was a close one. “Of course!” Sasha giggled. I’m in the clear now! I rush out the door ready to see my friends.

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We finally arrived at camp. I cannot contain my excitement, so instead I burst out the car doors and run up to the camp doors. As soon as I reach the entrance I realize I left all my stuff in the car, so I quickly run back to get my items and my friends of course. We walked up to the check-in together. The man behind the counter asks us our names. We respond… He begins by saying, “ok so, Isabella Soche week 6 cabin 4. Cameron Donnelly week 6 cabin 4. Sophie Sanchez week 6 cabin 4. Regan Stephans week 6 cabin 14.” Wait what! “That can't be right! That’s not my cabin. My name is Regan Stephans. That is spelled R-e-g-a-n  S-t-e-p-h-a-n-s!” I yelp “Yes, Regan Stephans week 6 cabin 14.” No that can’t be right! “Mom tell them that's not right!” I demand. “Yeah that isn't right, look on my app it says camper name: Regan Stephans, Week: 6, Cabin #: ….. Oh 14. Sorry honey I must have accidentally typed a 1 before the 4. I'm so sorry! I'm sure an agreement can be arranged. Excuse me sir, is there any way I can transfer my daughter into cabin 4?” My mom asks hopefully. “No sorry that cabin is all booked. We could let you transfer into either cabin number 15, 7, or 2, but that is it. I’m sorry ma'am.” Oh no. “That’s ok I am sure we can make it work.” My mom replies. “Mom please…..” I plead. “I’m sorry there is nothing they can do. I know that you are a very big people person. I am also sure that you will be able to make tons of new friends!” My mom assures me. “Yeah I know.” This is NOT the way I wanted to start off camp.

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I spent all night packing everything I need for camp. My bathing suit, pajamas, shirts, shorts, goggles, tooth brush, toothpaste, sneakers, stationery, blankets, a pillow, sunscreen, bugspray, and basically anything you can think of. I am totally ready! I even packed a mini fan for my bunk. My dad is carrying all of my stuff downstairs now. Did I mention that I am going with my friends! They are all downstairs at the kitchen table just waiting for me. Too bad we aren’t allowed to bring our phones, if we were I would’ve been able to take tons of cute pictures with my friends. “Regan! Come downstairs! We are going to take a group selfie before we leave!” That’s my cue! “Sorry! Coming!” I race downstairs to meet my friends at the table. “Click!” The picture came out great! “Okay girls everyone in the car, we are ready to roll.” My mom shouted to us. And just like that, we are on our way.

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"OH MY GOSH! 10 more days! 10 more days! 10 more days!” Now, you're probably wondering why I am shouting 10 more days over and over again. Well, to sum it up in a few words, I am going to Camp Fairwood. Every year my friends and I ride to Pennsylvania for our annual trip to Camp Fairwood. We always go week 6, and we always choose cabin #4. This year is different though because this year I am officially a “big camper.” Yes, I am 14, and yes, I am considered a teenager. So now you are probably also wondering why I am so excited to be a “big camper”. I’ll tell you why, I am finally old enough to ride a jet ski!!! Since the moment I stepped onto the camp grounds when I was 9, I knew that jet skiing would be a moment worth waiting for. Not only that, but this year I am old enough to also play with the older kids and prove to them I am more than just my age. So, look out Camp Fairwood because Regan Stephans is coming to camp!