Submission # 3

The podcast "Notes on Camp" traces the excitement and life lessons learned at summer camp. For these children camp is the biggest event of the year. From the moment the campers load up in the beat up Town and Country on the final day, emotions come pouring out as the 355 days of restless anxiety begins. Camp is the center of the universe, and a high that these kids can't get enough of.

In Note One: Mr. Popular, the typical strumming of the guitar creates a necessary atmosphere. Mr. Popular refers to David, an extremely well liked counselor. David's life was changed from his experience at camp as a boy, and he's still being effected today as a counselor. David insisted that a "day at camp is like two weeks in real life." He insured that camp was a "time warp" that brings people back to their childish ways.

In Note Six: Color Days, the host witnesses the acclaimed three day event. Color days is a competition that takes place at a rustic camp of Northern Michigan. One of the highest honors these kids can receive is to be named captain of their team. This role is so highly esteemed that campers were able to name previous captains dating back many years ago. The raw emotions that swell out of each and every camper is baffling. Constant chanting and cheering echos through the woods and into the heavens. As one girl put it, "when it comes to Color Days, defeat is not an option."

These two segments of This American Life expose listeners to the innocence of campers. Whether you're the famous and envied David or a fierce competitor of Color Days, there's a place at camp for everyone. The camp atmosphere consists of singing and chanting that brings people out of their shells and into the wilderness of youthfulness. How can camp be so simple and yet so memorable? It's the lessons learned from days at camp that shape kids into better human beings.