Chapter 6
Wilderness Training
Everyone liked the idea of going white water rafting. Jacob was the first out of the bunkhouse followed by Eugene who had on yellow floaties and scuba flippers. In his hand was an inner tube that looked like it would belong to a child.
Cindi couldn’t help but giggle. “Tell me you’re not wearing that. You can’t wear that in the raft.”
Eugene looked disappointed. “I have to. I don’t know how to swim. I’ll probably die without my floaties, and the soles of my feet are tender. I need all this stuff,” he said unashamedly.
“No you don’t. Remember we’re going hiking, and you certainly can’t hike in scuba shoes.”
“All I have are these shoes and my pair of tennis shoes.”
“Why would you even pack those scuba diving shoes?” asked Cindi.
“I told you I’m at the wrong camp. This is totally not the camp where I’m supposed to be,” exclaimed Eugene. “I was supposed to be on the coast, and we were supposed to study marine biology and run scientific data on places with oil spill pollution.”
“That’s kind of odd you would choose to go there if you don’t know how to swim and are afraid of water,” said Cody.
“I like doing experiments and research, and besides I thought I might learn to swim if there weren’t people I knew watching me,” he explained.
“I’m still confused how you didn’t figure out sooner you were at the wrong camp. Didn’t you figure out you were headed in the wrong direction as soon as you got on the bus when you saw all the mountains?” asked C.J.
“I was busy playing with the square roots on my calculator. It was like I was in my own little world.”
“Like I said before, your name is clearly on our list,” explained Cindi. “Somebody signed you up for Camp Clearwater; you need to make the best of it, since it’s paid for.”
“My parents drop me off at the library every day, and a librarian helped me get the scholarship to go to the camp, but my parents insisted on filling out the application online, which I knew would be a mistake.” Eugene cried.
“You’re here now, maybe fate sent you. Who knows this camp might be the best thing that ever happened to you. I think the wilderness, mountains, and natural setting could benefit you and really, anybody. Go back inside and put on your tennis shoes, and then meet me outside. It’s going to be okay Eugene.” She didn’t know who she was trying to convince the most: him or herself.
Cody came out wearing only a bright blue Speedo and Cindi told him to put some shorts on top of it. Luna was still wearing her skinny jeans. Cindi told her to go back and change because white water rafting and skinny jeans went together as well as flip flops on horses. She went inside and changed into ripped jeans and a TCU sweat shirt, skater shoes, dog tags, and goggles. She was carrying a backpack in her right hand.
“What do you have in your backpack?” asked Cody.
“A change of clothes, a hat, gloves, rope, a first aid kit, and a small blanket.”
“Oh that’s good,” said Cindi, happy she had changed and actually brought some useful items.
Sarah Beth wearing the same clothes as before, walked over towards Luna. Being unusually quiet, Cindi wondered if she was up to something. Jorgina came out in a bikini and matching high heels. Cindi told her to go back and change because she’d get all scratched up during their hike if she didn’t have more clothes on. She said, “Jorgina, you will not make it an hour in those heels. You feet will be killing you, please go back inside and change into something that won’t hurt your feet.”
Jorgina replied, “If anyone needs to change… it’s you.” She lifted her nose and sneered. “Maybe I’ll see if I can use my mom’s influence and get you on ‘What Not to Wear’ because Cindi, you have no fashion sense.”
“It’s not about fashion and style,” Cindi patiently explained. “It’s about safety and comfort.”
Pouting, Jorgina came out again wearing a spaghetti strap top, shorts, with her Gucci bag in her hand, still wearing her heels.
Frustrated, Cindi said, “I told you not to wear those heels. You’re going to be miserable, and your expensive purse will be ruined.”
“It doesn’t matter. I look cute in my heels. As for my purse, I have five or six more. Besides it has my iPod, makeup, cell phone, and all my essentials,” returned Jorgina.
Again Cindi tried to dissuade her from bringing it, but Jorgina wouldn’t listen and swung her purse over her shoulder as she headed towards Sarah Beth.
Charlie wearing the same clothes came out with a small travel bag.
“What’s in the bag?” asked Cindi.
“I just have my toothbrush, toothpaste, and some tissues,” explained Charlie.
“Why do you need that?” asked Jacob.
“I just usually carry them because I never know if I’ll need them,” replied Charlie timidly and then asked, “Is there a phone near the white water rafting place, so I could call my Mom?”
Once more, he got the same answer, “No!”
C.J., looking prepared for a mission had on hiking boots and a backpack filled to capacity.
“What’s in the backpack?” Maria asked.
“Just some first aid stuff. I usually bring stuff like that if I’m going anywhere.”
“Okay, great idea. Are we all here?” questioned Cindi as she picked up her back pack and headed out.
“No, that quiet girl who doesn’t say anything isn’t here. She said she wasn’t going,” announced Luna.
“Maria?” said Cindi.
“Well, if she’s not going, neither am I because I don’t like the water. Something bad happened a few summers ago on vacation in Florida, and I haven’t been able to get in the water since. I really don’t want to go.” said Luna.
“We’ll see about that. We need to get started.” Cindi went inside the bunkhouse and ordered Maria to come on. Reluctantly, she came out and joined the group.
Cindi led the way through a forest of trees where a path had been made. There were lots of rocks and gravel along the way. “Everyone watch out. These rocks are slippery, and it’s easy to lose your footing.”
Luna and Maria were griping non-stop. “It’s not like I’m two years old. I’m fourteen. I’d rather go back to the bunkhouse. I stay by myself all the time anyway! I wasn’t sent here by a court. I’m just here because it sounded fun, and I heard Cody was going. I’ve been saving up my babysitting money, and I’ve been working at a drive-through. I shouldn’t be treated like a juvenile. You know not everyone here has a criminal record,” said Luna.
Walking in front of the girls was Eugene eavesdropping. “I thought you said you raised the money for camp by doing fund raisers for endangered red foxes?”
“I was only kidding. Wow, some people will believe anything. Can I go back? My feet are hurting.” complained Luna.
The group had not been gone more than four minutes before everyone began to complain that their feet were hurting especially Eugene.
“Just shut up, will you? You’ve taken four steps,” growled Sarah Beth.
“I know,” Eugene said, “but I have tender skin!”
Maria groaned as Eugene began a lecture on why some people’s skin was softer than others and the proper way to apply lotion.
Jacob mumbled something to Jorgina and she passed the message on to Sarah Beth, who told Cody, who then processed to tell everyone else. Immediately, everyone walked a few steps away from Eugene, who was so engrossed in his lecture that he didn’t realize he was alone. After finishing, he looked around and realized no one was listening to him and moved on. He started running to catch up with the group easily reaching Jorgina who was having a hard time walking in her heels over the rocky terrain. She regretted wearing the heels but wouldn’t admit it.
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