Summer Wrap Up
Thursday was another outdoorsy activities day, and Lis decided that it would be fun to hold an archery contest! They'd all been working on their skills- time to see who'd made the most progress!
The contest ended up being a close tie between Lis and Ishaan, and they promised a rematch next time they were together!
After that, Lis, Channing, and Aeris went swimming in the lake. The water was blissfully cool in the summer heat, and they spent almost an hour playing in the water.
On the way back up to the lodge after swimming, Lis spotted some butterflies! She'd been wanting to find one to take home, so she could start a butterfly terrarium, so she grabbed a net and went to catch them! One of the counselors was able to identify the one she caught as a Richmond Birdwing butterfly, a pretty thing with rounded black wings with teal and yellow patterns.
Lis found a little terrarium for it, and decided to take it back home.
After she'd collected her butterfly, Lis joined her friends for a game of cards.
"Can you believe that camp is almost over?" Aeris lamented. "I'm not ready to go home!"
"Me neither." Channing agreed. "This has been so much fun!"
"We've gotta keep hanging out." Lis declared. "I'll have my Mom talk to your parents. Maybe we can meet at the Newcrest Playground."
"That's right in the middle of all of us." Channing agreed.
"That's our plan, then." Aeris declared. "We'll all be best friends forever!"
Lis decided to eat her dinner on the deck that evening, rather than by the campfire with the others. As much fun as she was having, she needed just a moment to herself.
Summer camp had been so much fun. Better than she ever imagined- but she was almost ready to go home, now. She missed her parents, and the cool, cloudy weather of Glimmerbrook.
Lis decided to spend the rest of evening camp fire time at the art tables, while they were open. She wanted to make Aeris a friendship bracelet- something to remember her and their time at camp.
To Lis's delight, Aeris had a bracelet for her as well! She'd made it during craft time the previous day, and had intended to give it to her then. They declared themselves Best Bracelet Buddies, and sealed the deal with an epic high five!
Before she went to bed that night, Lis finally called Arabella. Her mother was quick to answer, eager to hear about her time at camp so far.
"It's been so much fun!" Lis told her enthusiastically. "My friend Channing is here, and I made a new friend, her name is Aeris!"
"I'm so glad to hear that, Lis." Arabella answered warmly. "We'll have to make sure we arrange some playdates for you after camp is over."
"I can't believe there's only one day left." Lis told her. "It went by so fast!"
After saying goodnight to Arabella, Lis headed to bed in her cabin. There was lots to do tomorrow before camp was over, and she would need her energy!
Lis and her friends spent the next morning climbing on the monkey bars and playing hide and seek, making the most of their remaining time together. The counselors had announced a hike up to the geyser that afternoon, and Lis was determined to take pictures- both of the geyser and selfies with her friends.
Though they didn't get there at the right time to see it erupt, the geyser was still gorgeous. There was nothing at all like it in Glimmerbrook, and Lis couldn't help but marvel at it. She'd have to come back someday, and see it actually erupt.
Lis got her selfies with her friends, and determined to put them up as soon as she got home. She absolutely loved photography, and couldn't wait to make and preserve more memories with her new friends.
And just like that, they were gathered around the campfire for the last time, roasting marshmallows and saying their goodbyes. It was time to go home.
Arabella was waiting to greet Lis when she got home, and scooped her up into the best hug ever! The house had been a little too quiet without Lis running around with her paper planes and mixing potions on her alchemy table.
Peter was also very glad to have Lis at home, and gave her a big hug as well. Lis had so much to tell them, she didn't know where to start!
After her incredible experience at summer camp, Lis had come home with the Growth Kindled trait. She would always look back on that summer fondly.
Lis gave Arabella the summer crafts that she had made on Creativity Day. Arabella immediately hung them on her bedroom wall- it was the first gift Lis ever gave her.
Lis hung her new photos and origami butterflies on her bedroom wall, and put her butterfly terrarium and paper mache cat on the dresser. This room was starting to feel more and more like hers-from the magnets she brought with her from the orphanage to the crafts she made herself.
This was her forever home, and she was glad to be back.
No comments:
Post a Comment