This reflection is written and submitted by a Friedenswald camper. As part of a 5th grade school assignment, the camper was instructed to write about an event in their life The camper chose camp. In this special piece we catch a unique perspective of camp from a child’s eye. We hope you enjoy! (The camper has requested to remain anonymous.) 

Do you know that I have been going to the same camp for four years 1st grade to 5th grade? The same camp is called Camp Friedenswald. It is in Cassopolis, Michigan. This story is about my first full week at camp.

It is the summer of 2025. I got my stuff packed up and my mom and we went. I looked at my iPad and talked a little with my mom. Eventually we got there. The check in lady said “ Do you have any medical needs.” And I said” No I do not have any. And the lady said “Ok, go see Jennifer.” I said “Ok” so I went to Jennifer. I went to my cabin next. When I got there I saw Lindsey and I had her before. I was so happy.

My cabin name was Redbud. And I was so happy and a little scared. The first diner I had was supper good but dessert was the best. We had cricket pie sooo good. I know the name is a bit off but good. It is made out of mint chip ice cream and crushed oreos in a brownie! It tasted like a mintness and soft with a bit of crunch. My mom does not stay for dinner so she left. Then we headed back to the cabin. This happened for a day or to different stuff that I like and stuff that I did not but that was OK. That first or second night I got no sleep let me explain. I was so nervous and a bit excited that I could not sleep and buy the way I was going into 5th grade and 6th grades were there so ya but the next day was a little better. Then the next came by and the leaders took us to a place with some trees and spended around in a field. They told us “one way to connect with God was through plants and trees.” And made us sit with a tree of our choice for half an hour in silence. Then they said “before you pick the tree when you do choose, look at the bark, see what you can find then try to see what would the tree like to do if it can move like you.”

So that is what we is what we did. We sat by a tree in silence. In the afternoon that is what was on my mind and maybe others too. So the next day I thought of the name for my tree is Laroo it stands for lots of roots I got the name by the first part La I changed the o to the a and took the L and left rest now the second part is roo the first three first letters that is how I got Laroo. This is about Laroo. Laroo is a she, her, and girl, this is stuff she would do she would be super funny and talk her mouth off like me and be friendly too. Loves to do a lot of sports like basketball, football, volleyball, baseball, and I would tell her about speed skate and I hope she would say “I love that, can you show me?”

Back at the dining hall lunch was good here and there. But at the time I was pescatarian. At the time but not no more. For instance I could not eat burgers and so I had to eat tofu and I do not like that one bit. And some other stuff / food I can’t remember the other food. Dinner was always good especially when a flag gets turned around then we can get seconds of food and a lunch rule is no elbows on the table and if you do you can get called up in front of everybody and they sing a song and it goes on for 2 minutes but I’m not gonna tell you the song case you need to go if you want to hear the song.

The camp is a religious camp for the Bible. Just letting you know that. On every day we do an activity of your choice. One day I picked out gaga ball if you know you know. They also had gotten a new playground. I got hurt but I am OK. The playground was so fun to play on it with my friends. There are 3 levels on this playground. We played woodchips and then we chilled on the top floor level. On the top level there is a big net on the side of it. You can sit lean on it and there are a bunch of slides. Some obstacles and a bunch of seating. I love that playground.

There is this big game called greasy watermelon. It is a really fun game to play. You swim and play with a greasy watermelon in water. There are two teams so you try to score against the opponent, a good game to play. Every night we go to a place called mescedo hollo [Mosquito Hollow] when it gets dark. They gather every buddy together, boys and girls. Then we sing songs together and the leaders play skits for us super fun. But mescedo hollo is at the end of the day for the time when I was there.

In the morning you can do three things. But you have to pick one thing to do. If you want a certificate you can still have one day off. One of the options is sleeping. You just get to sleep in later. The second option is called Flyers. Flyers is when you run, jog, or walk for one mile or two. I don’t know which one but you get to go through a forest and it’s super cool. Then the third option is called polar bears. It is also in the morning about 6:30 A.M is what it feels like but it is actually 7:00 A.M. Polar bears is when you get your swim suit on and every buddy lines up on the dock they sing a song but I can’t tell you the song case you need to figure that out yourself. The water can be cold or warm. When I was at camp I did polar bears and the year before that I did flyers and I had fun with both of them. I never slept in once when I was there. The whole cabin was friends so we all had a fun time. My best name was Anna. She was so sweet.

The last day was the most exciting and saddest day there. During the last day they took us to the trees like always do. But then when we got to the site they said, “Instead of sitting with your tree we all are going to pick a flower for our tree.” So off cores I was excited to pick a flower for my tree. WE went picking and I got my tree the light purple flower but slightly darker than lavender and the shape was super cool. I had some cool rocks to add but I was the only one that had the rocks. Then they said, “ Now we will go around one by one and you will tell us about your tree.” It was cool hearing about other people’s trees. It was super awesome. Then the last night at camp I was so sad but a bit happy. They sang songs at the camp fire and had the endings of the skits. At the end of the songs everybody was swaying side to side. The song was beautiful, soft, and loving toon. At the end I was crying happy tears and some sad tears. Anna said “ IT’s going to be ok.” Then the whole cabin had a big group hug. Afterwards, we all played on the playground. The rest of that night was better.

Now it is the morning of pack day. We had breakfast. Then we all got our stuff ready and then one by one they left. I was the last one to leave. When my dad and sis showed up I asked them “can I show you my tree.” They said “yes you can show us your tree.” Next we put stuff in the car. Next I take them to see Laroo. My sister thought it was silly ya I guess it is but I loved Laroo. Then we went to the car and left. We got ice cream on the way home. That is the end of my week at camp Friedenswald. I felt so many emotions when I was at camp. I wish I can go next year!