Twenty-One
Gavin
T ime was moving so fast. It seemed we’d barely started, and a week had passed.
Everyone was doing so well, and they all still liked each other, which was no small deed.
They’d all learned so much and tried everything we’d thrown at them.
Which is why I hoped today wouldn’t be any different.
We were getting up early to go fishing, but not all of them were thrilled.
Some didn’t want to get up at six in the morning, and others didn’t see a need to even try to catch a fish.
“Good morning, everyone. I know today is very early, but unfortunately the best fishing is early in the morning, or sometimes just before dusk. This lake is stocked with trout because we want to maintain the fish that are here and keep the ecosystem healthy. So, while we’ll be fishing and hopefully, you’ll be catching, we’ll be releasing everything you do catch,” I explained.
“Oh, thank god. I did not want to have to clean a fish, and I knew Gavin would want to teach it. I don’t even want to see a fish being cleaned,” Sal said, and faked a gag.
“You’re right, Sal, I would have. But you do not have to worry about that.
” Everyone chose a pole, and I showed them the different bait they could use and how to put it on the hook.
Most didn’t want to touch it and a few decided they’d rather watch and “be supportive” rather than fish.
After about thirty minutes those who wanted to fish had their line in the water.
“Now you wait,” I said, and sat at a nearby picnic table.
Timmy was the first to give up, he pulled in his line and sat at the table with me watching the others.
One by one they started to lose interest. Just as Dani reached for her pole, I saw it, she got a good bite.
She froze before picking it up and setting the hook.
“I think I got one!” she yelled and started reeling as fast as she could.
“I got a bite too,” John said, and started reeling in just as Dani pulled her fish out of the water.
Everyone clapped and a few took pictures with their phones that they’d barely used since they’d been here except to take pictures.
We had a no phone policy, but they were adults, and we had a shitty signal here.
Dani was quick to release her fish back into the lake as John pulled his in and posed.
Most were done after that, so we all went to breakfast since we’d started the day before Jimmy did.
“After breakfast you can all have a few hours to relax. Then at noon we’re going to play volleyball.
” John and Drevon grinned while almost everyone else didn’t look nearly so enthused.
“Don’t worry, some of the staff are going to play too.
It’ll be fun.” They still didn’t look convinced, but I knew they wouldn’t mind once we got started.
We’d gone on another hike three-mile hike yesterday and tomorrow they’d go a little farther before going on the six-mile overnight hike. They were all strong and could handle it, even if they still didn’t know it. After volleyball there was another activity.
“Are we doing something else today?” Wyatt asked.
“Possibly,” I said and walked over to get a coffee because six in the morning really was early. They’d know soon enough but not until later. Hopefully we didn’t lose some of them on this activity.
“Okay, everyone, we’re not going to keep score.
We’re just playing for fun. Everyone will rotate in and out after you serve, and yes, the entire staff will also be playing,” I explained.
Because this was one activity that everyone could do and they all enjoyed it.
We’d only play through two rounds of rotations and by then I was sure they’d all be ready to quit.
After they all split into two groups we started playing.
Some were really good, especially John and Drevon, which I’d made sure were on opposite teams because it was easy to see they had athletic ability for more than just basketball.
But they were also really nice and helped everyone else without spiking a ball into anyone’s face.
Wyatt gave it his best shot but like most of the others he mostly dodged the ball when it got too close but smiled every single time.
Once they’d rotated in twice it was time for their next adventure.
“I hope you had fun, now we’re going to go down to the lake.
” Everyone thanked the staff for the game before walking as a group behind me.
Rapidly approaching footsteps behind me alerted me to Wyatt jogging to catch up to me. “What are we doing?” he asked.
“You’ll see. I think you’ll like it.” It didn’t take long for us to make the short walk where staff had earlier stacked a supply of two-man tents.
“What is it?” Lyn asked before they all rushed over to see for themselves.
“Tonight, we’ll be camping out here in tents that you’ll be assembling. Now don’t worry, they’re very simple to put up. Each one holds two people so you can figure out who you’ll be teaming up with.”
“Can I be on your team?” Wyatt asked.
“Oh, well I don’t—”
“Please let him be on your team,” Dani said as she held a tent while Lyn stood next to her.
“Yes, please, Gavin,” Sal said, and I wondered if he’d mentioned it to them.
“Okay, Wyatt, looks like you and I are teaming up.” During the summer a few staff typically teamed up with the kids that were a little unsure about staying in a tent by themselves.
Usually, they chose to share a tent with a friend after that, but sometimes they felt safer having an adult with them.
“If anyone doesn’t want to sleep out tonight, it’s okay to sleep in your cabin.
I just wanted you to try it here before going on the long hike. ”
“I’m not sure I want to sleep outside,” Timmy said and lifted his leg to itch his poison oak rash before forcing himself not to.
“No problem, just work with your partner to set up the tent. I want to make sure everyone knows how to do it.”
“Thanks, Gavin.”
“Hey, Timmy, did you need more medication for your poison oak?” He didn’t have a bad case, but any poison oak was annoying.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll be glad once it stops itching.”
“I promise it will—eventually.” He laughed before walking over to help his partner.
“You ready, Wyatt?” I asked and tried not to laugh at his wide eyes and how cute he looked holding the tent.