It was late winter when I was told I was going to Camp ASCCA in the summer. I was hesitant to go, knowing nothing about the camp, so I packed everything I thought I might need in case something went wrong. As I was packing, I started counting down the days leading up to my session. As camp got closer, I started asking myself questions, such as “Will I like it?” and “Will I make friends?”
Before I knew it, my session was here. When we arrived at Camp ASCCA, they gave me a lanyard that had my name tag on it. They also had someone put my name on my bags and told us where to finish my check-in.
After check-in, I went to the cabin I was assigned to for the week and met the other campers, learning where they live and their special needs, respectively. I also got to meet my group’s counselors.
Monday came, and my group’s rotation for the morning activities was the demo farm and tubing. At the demo farm, I got to see some cute animals and actually interact with them by feeding and petting them. The person who was in charge let me hold the small animals for a few seconds, and we had the option of kissing them on the head.
The tubing activity was fun and interesting to watch as I waited for my turn. I did the rollover test to see if I could go on the raft with camp staff in charge of tubing. I ended up having my counselor come with me because I did not pass the test. It was a fun and very bumpy ride.
Later that afternoon, I went to my free choice activity, which was the game room. They had many options for games to play, but I naturally went to the door that led to the room for Wii games. I enjoyed playing “Just Dance” and bowling from Wii Sports.
After my free choice was over, my group went to arts and crafts next, where I made Perler beads in the shape of a dog and did some fun games like word search and mazes from their activity book. Later, we went to the pool. I could not swim at the pool, although I still enjoyed relaxing and listening to the music.
The morning schedule for Tuesday was interesting as it started with the BcK4T, Camp ASCCA’s arcade and entertainment center, and the zipline. Once we arrived at the BcK4T, I could tell I was going to love it. There were colorful lights everywhere inside the building and many old-school, classic arcade game machines. I found out I was very good at Galaga and Dig Dug.
When our time was up, my group went to the zipline activity, where I got to fly from the landing to the stopping point.
When the afternoon came, I chose the boat ride as my free choice. It was a beautiful day to go on a boat ride! It was very relaxing as the boat moved slowly on Lake Martin. During the boat ride, they thought it would be fun to do trivia about Lake Martin, so we learned a lot.
After the boat ride, we went to archery. I did really well for my first try. The last activity of the day was a nature activity. I was very excited about the nature activity because it was a scavenger hunt with nature facts mixed in as clues. I learned a lot!
After dinner, we went to the OutPost for the talent show. As I waited for my turn, I watched every camper’s talent, and they were impressive. In the talent show, I sang “What Time Is It” from High School Musical 2.
My group’s schedule on Wednesday morning started with a party at the BcK4T and then the water slide. I had also been told there would be a concert later that night. At the BcK4T party, I watched a movie and played games on one of the arcade machines.
We headed over to the splash pad after the party. I got many great photos. Right after rest period was over, we started getting ready for the concert that night. The band that was playing was the Red Clay Strays. I was in the quiet room the entire time. I had fun playing the card games they have there and solving the Rubik’s Cube. I had almost finished the cube when it was time to end the day.
Thursday came quickly, and the activities for that morning were karaoke and fishing. For karaoke, I sang one of my favorite songs, which was “What Dreams Are Made Of” by Hilary Duff. Karaoke was useful to tell who likes what when it comes to music.
After that, we went fishing on Lake Martin. As I was admiring the scenery, someone caught so many fish that they took a picture of themselves holding all the fish. We spent the entire afternoon getting ready for the dance that night. The dance was so much fun as I was able to talk and dance with other campers outside of my group.
Friday morning came, and my counselor asked me what last activity I would like to do before leaving camp. I chose the bungee trampoline. As we arrived there, they did some safety checks and let me jump on the inflatable trampoline for a while. It was fun.
After that, we all went back to our cabins to pack up all the stuff we brought to camp. As I was packing, I respectfully asked other campers for their numbers and names to stay in touch with them, and we waited for our parents to arrive to take us back home.
When my parents came, they were so excited to take me back home again. Since we have to drive a long way back home, I talked for hours about my time there at camp. They agreed that it was the best decision they had made for me.
So the answers to those questions I had asked myself at first were Yes and Yes! I did like it, and I did make friends!
I have been going to Camp ASCCA since 2018. Not once have my parents nor I regretted it. I always look forward to seeing what the camp staff has planned for the week. I hope my experience at camp will help and encourage anyone who is thinking of going to Camp ASCCA or who has already made the decision and is a little nervous, like I was. I cannot wait to go to Session 3 this year.
