Cool Campers by Mike Knudson Page A

screamed.
    â€œThen let’s go! Follow me!”
    We proudly made our way down to the lodge, where everyone had already gathered for the ceremony. Toad made up a song as we marched. He would sing a line and then we would repeat it back to him.
    â€œI don’t know, but I’ve been told,” he sang.
    And we all repeated: “I don’t know, but I’ve been told . . .”
    â€œ. . . Toad Claws did not win the gold!”
    â€œ. . . Toad Claws did not win the gold,” we echoed.
    â€œBut what we have to do instead . . .”
    â€œBut what we have to do instead . . .”
    â€œ. . . is wear our underpants on our heads!”
    â€œ. . . is wear our underpants on our heads!”
    We kept singing it over and over as we walked into the lodge. At first everyone was pointing and laughing at us. Then as we continued singing, some of the other groups joined in and sang along, clapping in unison. Toad marched us right to the front where Fuzzy was standing. After one more verse, Toad motioned for us to stop singing, and we took a bow. The crowd roared. Even Fuzzy was clapping. We all sat down.
    â€œThank you for sneaking in so quietly,” Fuzzy joked. Then he began the awards ceremony.
    Whenever one of the Muscular Monsters won an award, he would accept the medal from Fuzzy and then turn to the crowd and flex his muscles. Everyone would cheer. When BB won the gold for the swimming event, he walked up, accepted his medal, turned his puny body toward the audience, and flexed his tiny muscles. The crowd went crazy. Tiny accepted his award for the rope climb and gave a friendly wave to the cheering audience.

    â€œNow for the overall Olympic gold medal,” Fuzzy announced. “This is for the team with the highest combined point total.” Even before he announced their names, Flex was heading for the front.
    â€œMuscular Monsters are the best!” David shouted to the crowd, as Flex accepted the gold medal. There were a few cheers and a handful of boos. I guess David had made a few new enemies at camp.
    Fuzzy held his hand up for silence. “I consider our final award to be the most important. You’ve all spent the last few days together with boys you’ve met for the first time. You’ve worked together, had fun together, and become a bear patrol together. The Spirit Award is for the patrol that most clearly demonstrates the spirit of Camp Grizzly.”
    One by one Fuzzy asked each patrol to give their cheer again. When it was our turn I hopped around as I held up my finger and shouted, “Har! Toad Claws!” Even though I figured we probably wouldn’t win, I felt my own Grizzly pride for my patrol. The Muscular Monsters laughed at us again. But this time I didn’t care.
    Fuzzy held up twelve leather necklaces with a golden bear claw hanging from each of them. “This was a difficult decision, but this year’s award goes to . . .” He paused. “Wait, did I ever tell you the story about the time when I was a camper? Maybe we should wait until later for the award—this is a good story.”
    Everyone shouted, “No!”
    â€œJust kidding, Grizzlies.” Fuzzy laughed. “This year’s Camp Grizzly Spirit Award goes to . . . THE TOAD CLAWS!”
    We had won! We went crazy, hopping up and down, screaming and cheering. We proudly hopped to the front of the lodge, still wearing our underpants on our heads. Everyone was cheering except the Muscular Monsters. They were looking at each other and shaking their heads. We lined up, and Fuzzy hung a golden bear claw around each of our necks.
    Graham, Tiny, BB, and I all high-fived each other over and over again.
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    Later that night we had our final Roses, Thorns, and Buds. Toad went first.
    â€œWell, Toad Claws, I don’t know what to say. My rose is each of you guys. You made me proud to be a Toad Claw today. I hope you will always remember: if you can be a winner wearing