Picture Day

“Gather everyone up,” Kenzie said as she stepped outside of the cabin. The stairs creaked under her feet, and she flipped the clipboard over. “We’re all meeting in the big field for the all camp picture.”

“It’s that time already?” Wendy asked. “Camp’s already halfway over?”

Kenzie nodded. “We’ll be saying goodbye to the older kids in a few weeks.”

Wendy froze, looking down at the ground. She shook her head, picturing all over her friends that would be leaving soon. Wendy stamped her foot on the ground, scattering a few leaves onto the path. “I’ll find everyone I can,” she said. “You can count on me!”

“I know.” Kenzie smiled. “Get going. I’ll meet you at the Snack Shack.”

Wendy nodded. She took off down the path, yelling loudly enough to wake up the entire camp if they were sleeping. She announced the picture to every camper she came across, and even ran up the stairs to the other cabins. Pounding on the doors, Wendy called out, “Picture on the big field soon!” She peeked in through the windows and shouted out the picture announcement again, before taking off down the path.

She trampled over pine needles and kicked pine cones out of her path. Birds flew out of her path as she made her way down to the lake bed, where dozens of campers were spending their time. Pushing her way into the lifeguard cabin, Wendy ran up to the counter. “Is that loud enough for everyone to hear across the lake?” she asked, pointing at the red and white megaphone on the back table.

“Yeah,” Lora, one of the lifeguards, said. “Why?”

“Can I borrow it?” Wendy said. “I’ve been tasked with telling everyone about the picture.”

“The big picture?”

“Yes!”

Lora reached back and yanked the megaphone from the table. She jumped over the chair, pushed the door open, and flicked the switch. “All yours,” she said, handing the megaphone over to Wendy.

Taking a deep breath, Wendy pushed the button. A loud squeal rang out and she laughed sheepishly. Trying one more time, Wendy held the megaphone, and called out, “CAMP PICTURE AT THE BIG FIELD IN FIFTEEN MINUTES!” Her voice echoed across the lake, and several campers turned their heads toward the sound.

The news started to spread throughout the campers, and the word was passed along quickly through the water. A stampede of kids charged out of the lake, grabbing their towels and bags, while others swam back with their lifejackets. A few kids out in kayaks and canoes paddled so quickly, white water formed behind them as they made their way back to the docks and boat shed. Every camper rushed for the cabins, leaving only footprints in the sand and pebbles.

Wendy handed the megaphone back to Lora. “Thank you!” she said. “See you at the big field later.”

“Of course!”

Wendy took off down the path again, looking in every single spot she knew, calling out the big news. One by one, the campers deserted the hiding spots, racing toward the cabins or the big field. Camp Wilderocke started to look like a ghost town the more Wendy searched for other campers or counselors hanging around. She was thankful it wasn’t a big activity day, where campers were taken off site to a hike or the little town down in the mountains.

Out of breath and out of campers to tell the news, Wendy made her way to the Snack Shack, where Kenzie and Bryce waited with all of the Galaxy Cabin. Waving at Robin and Bucky, Wendy squeezed in between them. “I’m here!” she called out.

“Great!” Kenzie said. “Did you get everyone?”

“I think so!” Wendy said with pride.

“I’ll make sure they send one more call,” Bryce said. “Good job, Wendy.”

Wendy grinned. The cabin took off down the path toward the big field, where at least a hundred campers and staff waited. A photographer climbed up on a huge ladder, adjusting his camera, making sure everyone could fit in the shot. Everyone mingled around, laughing and throwing around a giant beach ball up in the air. Wendy’s cabin found their favorite spot in the back near the trees, where they could easily find themselves in the picture. The beach ball came around, and Wendy, Robin, and Bucky hit away with a whoop.

A whistle rang out over the field, and Mr. Logan waved them all down. He picked up his own megaphone. “All right Camp Wilderocke,” he called out to the crowd. “Are we ready to take the picture?”

The campers all shouted back eagerly.

“Perfect! Remember, stay in your spots, don’t move!” Mr. Logan looked up at the photographer and gave him a thumbs up.

The photographer nodded, and peered into his camera. He motioned for a few campers in the front to scoot back. Taking the megaphone from Mr. Logan, he held it up. “All right,” he said. “On the count of three, everyone either needs to smile, make a goofy face, or just be yourself!” He held up his hands.

“ONE!”

Wendy reached over and put her arms around Robin and Bucky.

“TWO!”

The camp giggled as someone pushed away the giant beach ball out of the shot.

“THREE!”