Outstanding Stories » Camp Wild Star

“Camp Wild Star” is one of the outstanding stories (junior) of the second biannual International Short Story Contest 2018 written by Aneeka Rehan, Pakistan.

Camp Wild Star

One afternoon in a place called Star lake city, a girl named Mia was getting ready to head to camp with her best friends Andie, Stephanie, Alexia and Olivia. Mia was especially excited for Olivia as it was her first time at camp. They sat in the bus together and shared their stories with Olivia about their previous visits to camp. They also talked about their camp leader Joy, who gave each of them a title. Olivia wondered what title she would get. They arrived at the camp and the leader Joy gave Olivia her title as “White Wise Owl”. Meanwhile, the Mayor was planning some things, some rather evil things. He wanted to build an oil factory in the place of Camp Wild Stars, but to do that he’d have to close the camp.

Back at camp, the day was about to end as everyone dried themselves after a fun day of kayaking. The next morning the campers found out that camp leader Joy had suddenly disappeared later, everyone was told that the Mayor had fired Joy. They were told that a new leader was assigned. This leader was Snivell. He was the Mayor’s assistant. The next day an eagle flew through the window the eagle was recognised immediately by the five friends it was camp leader Joy’s eagle it had a note on its Claw that read “follow me” so they did and found camp leader Joy. She said that she had done a little snooping and then told them what she found out. “There’s a catch he needs the city council’s approval to close it. That’s why he needs to show them how unused it is. I suppose he tried getting rid of the campers,” said Joe. They decided to spread the word so that would not happen. Snivell told the mayor that the campers weren’t leaving no matter how boring he made camp. The Mayor was furious. He said “If it doesn’t look unused make it seem rundown.”So that night snivel trashed the camp. The next morning everyone at camp woke up to find that their camp was in ruins. Litter was everywhere; the grassland gave off a pongy smell. They knew who had done this. It was too late to clean up because the council had reached already. They were all disgusted. It was time to watch the big obstacle race. The boats were all ripped up, the rock climbing had missing tabs to hold on to and it was all a wreck. The race finished and the councillors were disappointed. Later, they heard Alexia’s voice calling for help they also heard a bear’s growl. They got there and then they heard it coming from behind a cave that was blocked by rocks. Alexia told them that a bear was after her so she ran into the cave soon realizing it was the bear’s home she kicked a loose rock behind her by accident and that caused the entrance to block. So, they remembered what their camp leader Joy had taught them. Joy taught Mia how to do good archery so she attached a bow fishing reel and line then shot it to a tree root behind the pillar of the cave. Olivia wrapped the line around the pillar. Then, since Joy said Andie had a knack for knots she tied the other side to a trailer Stephanie drove the trailer and everyone pushed from behind. The rocks cleared and Alexia came out safe and sound.

The CITY COUNCIL was standing close by along with them was Joy. They were all impressed, one said, “Mia! Tell me where you learnt to shoot like that?” Mia said “It was right here at Camp Wild Stars. Camp leader Joy taught me how.” Andie said: “She taught me how to tie knots.” “Joy taught me how to drive a four wheeler!,” exclaimed Staphanie. Then being relieved Alexia said: “And, she taught me how to run faster than a bear.” The COUNCILORS congratulated Joy telling her that the job was hers again and that she had done a wonderful job at teaching the kids how to be self sufficient. It was declared that Camp Wild Stars would remain open.