Welcome to Camp HSS, the hippest camp on the block! Do YOU have what it takes to win the highly coveted Campers Award? Check the Bulletin Board for news and more! CURRENT EVENT: N/A CURRENT PROMPT: Homecoming AUGUST 2 - AUGUST 9 at 11:59 PM PST
Hey guys!! Wow, it’s hard to believe this is really the end of camp! You guys are all amazing for doing this! I’m just so proud of all of you for going to camp and pouring so much effort into it, for caring so much!
I’m just really proud of you for partaking in this and caring and creating great stories, going through eight hour capture the flag sessions and everything you all did. I’m proud of Lily and Amanda and myself too to doing this, for creating ridiculously complicated rules and guidelines for a new game for organizing camp hss and making it happen.
I’m really thankful to Amanda and Lily for doing all the art for camp hss and for making the clues in the scavenger hunt hard to find (I’m looking at you :3c) and for creating and editing camp hss’s tumblr and for helping mod the chats and just everything. Lily, you kept us on track and made sure we actually came up with new events, made sure our events were practical and helped create some guidelines. Amanda, you had the initiative and the dream that started it all. I never thought when I agreed to helping you run a hss summer camp on tumblr that it would turn out this expansive, this amazing.
Also I’m really glad that all of you campers were super patient with us and never called us out that we never posted the results whoops.
Camp hss was really fun and really amazing that we could all band together and create this.
I don’t know what else to say except, to quote Lesile Knope, you are all beautiful tropical fish.
So this is uh... well, this is it. Our last camp banquet before we all go home and hit the books again! Summer went by really fast, don’t you think?
I’m not very good at this whole speech stuff... but, I can’t really say bye to everyone unless I do this whole speech stuff! So I’m going to stop stalling and just get right into it.
Thank you for making this summer memorable. Each and every one of you. When you all showed up on the first day, smiling mostly, excited to see what Camp HSS had in store for you.... it made my heart swell with joy. I was terrified, as a first-time counselor... but I was also prepared to make this the most fun summer ever for everyone! And it was. It was fun and sometimes it sucked and sometimes it was weird but overall... stellar. I think we’ve all bonded. I’ve gotten to know so many people that, away from this camp, I would’ve never known. I know it was part of my job to help keep this camp running, but really I think all of you did that!
You’re all extraordinary people. I hope you loved Camp HSS as much as I loved it. And saying goodbye... well, it’s so bittersweet. I-I hope... [sniff] I hope you all leave here knowing that, even though it was just your home for the summer, that it was--is home. And once you’re a part of this weird little summer camp family, y-you’re a part of it forever!
Thank you!”
And that’s Amanda’s speech! Now a few words from, uh, another Amanda! Same one, but different, ya dig?
Camp HSS started out as just a summer camp AU that i was planning on doodling every now and again, but it developed into something more. I don’t know when it happened, but one day it was just like... hey, Camp HSS could be MORE than just another little AU. It could be a fandom experience. Something that’d get people really involved and really bring people closer, really bring friends together. Camp HSS became really... important to me in that aspect. In bringing fans together in a project that would put everyone into teams and put creative minds together into one jam-packed event of FUN.
And for the most part, it was that! A fun event that wouldn’t have been possible without all of you.
I’m first going to blast huge love to Lily and Grace for running this with me. IDK how it happened, but I am so dang lucky to have best friends that listen and wanna aide in my crazy hatched-out-of-sudden-inspiration ideas. They were really the ones who kept the camp running and I owe them SO much. (and have something for you guys too! you’ll see!) Grateful to always have an “us.”
And, of course, huge love to all our campers! Your enthusiasm for this crazy project and constant cheering us on kept us really motivated to keep it going; even when we found ourselves way caught up in real life. Seeing you all working so hard, making new connections, caught up in the excitement of a virtual camp... that was a great motivator. Thank you for making me feel like I was part of something really, really good.
Now that I got the thank yous out of the way, time for something way cheesy.
“Summer camp” has always been an idea that filled me with all sorts of nostalgia... that was barely mine. I mean, I grew up in a perfect summer camp environment as a kid, and even went and stayed at a summer camp there for a couple of nights (for the first and last time! it burned down the next year in a forest fire. go figure, am i right. ANYWAYS)
It took me a while to figure out why, oh my lanta, was I so... nostalgic about summer camps. And when I realized it, I laughed to myself for a few minutes. Then thought about it some more. Then went, “oh.”
And then I cried.
Summer camps tell some pretty great “coming of age” stories. Summer camps bring together a big group of kids and lead them to all sorts of... shenanigans. Yanno, from someone’s first kiss, to overzealous and wild pride when you’re sorted into teams and play games, from sleeping in probably haunted cabins to canoes tipping over in the middle of the lake. Camp is always about experiences and memories and sitting around a campfire and letting these once-upon-a-time strangers know the deepest parts of you.
It’s about memories, and friendship, and about finding yourself when you’re still young. It’s about beginning to grow up.
And there’s something so... somber and comforting and beautiful about an experience like that all at once.
And I wanted to bring those feelings that I feel so strongly about to a fandom, a huge group of people, that I care so much about because I want to say, “Hey, here’s something a little crazy and out there. Come share this experience with me, because I promise it’s going to be amazing.”
And I really, really believe it was.
So, that brings us here! The end of a crazy wonderful idea that made me feel the somber and comforting and beautiful things I was hoping to, with a group of once-upon-a-time strangers that I feel like I’ve known forever now.
Cheesiness aside, really you guys, thank you. It’s been a heartwarming experience, with a bittersweet farewell.
So with that, Camp HSS has come to a close for 2016. Better late than never, right? I always think so.
Well, as you all know, Camp HSS is coming to a close. It’s been quite an eventful summer! Ya know, I just wanna take the time to thank you guys for taking the time to attend camp, take part in activities, and make new friends. Camp HSS wouldn’t have been possible without you guys, after all.
Thank you for being supportive of each other and us counselors. I know we had some ups and downs and rough turns, but all-in-all, I think we all did pretty well. Somehow we got through it all by sticking together. [Flashes a smile and a peace sign.]
Thank you for letting us get to know you. The experience we shared... is something that now helps define our relationships, our friendships. Maybe we’ll drift apart, maybe we’ll get closer. Who knows? All that matters is that the time we spent together was real.
[Chuckles, embarrassed.] (That got a little cheesy.) W-well, that concludes the end of my speech. So, um, now that summer’s over, stay safe. Do well in school or work. Be healthy. See you.” [Awkwardly gives two thumbs up.]
Wow! I can’t believe Camp HSS is actually over. It’s been four long months...
I’ll try not to get too mushy, so bear with me, yeah?
The whole event started from Amanda’s brain. No surprise, I guess. When she asked me to become a counselor, I was extremely thankful and honored. To think she would ask me to take part in this was unexpected, but it was a welcome surprise. Finding out that I had the chance to also do this with Grace made the event even better. Being able to partake in something this big with my friends was something I will be thankful for for a long time, especially as we all begin a new chapter in our lives. A huge thank you to Amanda for starting Camp and for connecting with campers in ways that I could not imagine. I think she really has a gift for making friends. Deep thanks to Grace, who was always the voice of reason, the fair judge, the brilliant thinker. Honestly, I don’t think Camp would have run as smoothly without your much-needed assistance and your smart ideas.
And of course, thank you, campers, for making Camp HSS possible. Somehow, after all this time, you guys stuck through with us. To imagine, the whole event couldn’t have been possible without the fandom working together. It’s pretty cool.
Delving into the topic of summer camp, I can’t say I dreamed of ever going to one. Rather, I tried to avoid them as a child... However, I do like the concept of a summer camp, with all the romanticized ideas and events that come with it. There’s something magical about the idea of making friends, of friendly rivalries and cabin teamwork, of first loves and first heartbreaks, of coming to camp inexperienced and leaving with a growth you didn’t have before. For those glamorized concepts, I think camp is wonderful. I think Camp HSS gave me a little bit of that vision. (Not gonna lie though; I can’t help but think of Camp Halfblood...)
That being said:
Overall, I think we all did a pretty good job this first time ‘round. However, even though the event is now over, I hope that some of you guys will feel more comfortable approaching each other than you were before. Thanks again, everyone, for taking part in Camp HSS.
Before we finish adding all the points to decide the winner/prepare prizes, we would greatly appreciate it if you guys took the time to help us decide on individual awards by filling out the Camper Awards Voting as well as providing feedback on your camp experience by filling out the Camp HSS Exit Survey.
The last day to vote will be August 15 at 11:59 PM PST.
Before we finish adding all the points to decide the winner/prepare prizes, we would greatly appreciate it if you guys took the time to help us decide on individual awards by filling out the Camper Awards Voting as well as providing feedback on your camp experience by filling out the Camp HSS Exit Survey.
The last day to vote will be August 15 at 11:59 PM PST.
PROMPT #10: Homecoming (8.2.16 - 8.9.16 at 11:59 PST)
It’s the last day of camp. You’ve made a lot of memories here, a lot of friends. But summer’s over. So, as there isn’t really much else to do... How are you spending your last day at Camp HSS?
Remember to @ camphss in your post and tell us what cabin you are!
(Lily) I loved the poem format! It was simple and easy to follow, not to mention unique. The artwork fit well with the words; I especially loved that you guys continued to use a green theme to represent your cabin. The poem was a bit short, but it works well. The couplets were well planned length-wise and diction-wise, and the font was a cute touch. However, as for the actual prank, while I did get a chuckle out of it, reminded me of “The Parent Trap,” so I feel that the content wasn’t 100% original.
(Grace) I loved it! Choosing a poem was great, as it just brings a cute seuss-y vibe to the prank. I really liked the art- the sort of silhouette style and simplicity was great and I especially like the last picture, of the ducks victoriously thrusting their fists in the air, quacking. I also really liked the prank itself, it reminded me of “The Parent Trap” and I was really hoping someone would do a prank like that. The beginning of the poem was a little too abrupt for me.
(Amanda) Your prank was fun, quick to read, and got the point across very quickly, which is much appreciated in not making your prank overtly complex or difficult to follow. The art was fun and really set a lighthearted tone. It was cute. Definitely could see the inspiration from a certain movie I’m going to refrain from repeating the title of. ;-) I think most of my qualms lie in 1. font choice, which I admit is a shallow aesthetic reason, so feel free to not take that to heart, and 2. The poem format itself. Really, good job in deciding on a poem format to tell the story in! It was original. But I couldn’t really get engrossed in the story or feel the need to root for the Ducks or find humor in the prank because it lacked a certain depth I was craving. Don’t get me wrong though! The rhymes were cute and it’s clear a lot of thought was put into this; it just lacked a bit in storytelling because of the way it was formatted for me, personally.
(Campers)
“How could I not vote for the ducks? Even if I could vote with my own cabin, I wouldn't. QUACK!”
“I really liked the different writing style.It was very well written,and I enjoyed reading it.And I loved the pictures that went along with the poem.Everything was really amazing.”
“It was created so beautifully. The whole thing just seemed to flow so smoothly and was pleasent [sic] to read. Also really original at that.”
(Lily) Buffalo Cabin, what I really love about your composition was the fact that you guys included individual members AND the cabin heads from both cabins. I really got a “team spirit” kind of feel. The fact that after the prank the Buffalo and Wildcat cabins still remained friends gave me a warm feeling. Overall, I think the prank was pretty original! I’m glad Julian didn’t get hurt in the end. The art of Hope and Julian was very cute! (What a good brother he is. ;v;) Despite this, I did find myself confused about the clown part. When the story ended, I was wondering what happened to the clown prank; I feel it was a little bit unnecessary to the story as a whole. Grammar was pretty good and the format was pretty organized.
(Grace) The idea of the prank in and of itself seems a bit mean. It’s a prank designed to target and humiliate one person alone, and I know there was that paragraph about how Julian wasn’t ashamed so it wasn’t cruel, but it still felt cruel to me. I really liked this line, “What a time to be alive.”, because it was nice seeing Koh all excited and in-character over camp-endorsed pranking. The conversation at the beginning was a bit much for me, at one point a character is mentioned as being upset but I didn’t notice the original comment that lead to them being upset. The art was cute, and I do like that Hope was nice enough to tell Julian about the pictures.
(Amanda) What a neat idea! I think what really stood out for me was the direction you guys took with this prank, making it seem more about bonding and friendship rather than hurting your opponent for a quick laugh. I do have to agree in that it did seem a little mean to target Julian alone, though. I liked the inclusion of all your cabinmates and the interactions between all the characters as they figured out their plan of action. It gave us a little insight into their relationships, and really showed me as a reader that they’re all good friends and have a strong bond! There were a few bits that were confusing though, back to the little interactions at the beginning, where a lot was going on that it felt confusing and dragging, and in some places the story ran a little weird. But it was adorkable. I loved the drawing and the reactions of the Wildcats to what was going on. I really liked it.
(Campers)
“I loved the way it was constructed. It was grammatically correct, the premise for the prank itself was amusing (though I would have loved to see how the clown prank would've played out!) and it felt just long enough. (And I have to admit, it's given me the idea to draw all the wildcats' reactions to the photo.) The only complaint I would have about it is that Julian seems a little bit out of character; he strikes me as the type of person to be really embarrassed in a situation like that, though he could just be trying really hard to laugh it off.”
(Lily) Can I just say I really enjoyed this piece? This was one of my favorites pranks. The horse and dog jokes cracked me up, and the characters themselves were cute and funny! Nice job incorporating specific members. I liked how the prank involved both cabins’ mascots, but I can’t give full credit for originality involving the horse heads (it was pretty funny though). Art-wise, the pictures fit the story well, and the ratio of art to text was nice. I especially liked Neo and the horseheads. The prank was pretty straightforward, so it was an easy read. However, there were a few grammar mistakes that stood out which was a little distracting.
(Grace) You opened with a pun. I like that. What I really liked about this was the sense of character, camaraderie, and friendship in the story. Each character came across as unique, and I could clearly see their personalities. I really like the art, especially the one depicting Neo amongst the horses, in heaven. However the dialogue came across as awkward sometimes and there was a rather noticeable change in tenses during the story. The only question I have left for you is: did Neo keep the stuffed horses headless bodies?
(Amanda) Not even gonna lie, this was probably my favorite. It was really entertaining, from the adorable art, to the overarching story, to the number of puns you managed to stuff in (HOHO. Get it? STUFF? BECAUSE OF THE HORSES AND--) The personalities of the campers really shone through in this, and I think that’s what really brought it over the top for me-- and the fun puns! It was engaging to read, and in a way, really refreshing in how the entire arc rounded out. I can really see the effort. Also my favorite line was “It’s a bomb bird, yo.” I can’t get over it. It was so cute. So cheesy.
(Campers)
“I really liked the format of the prank???? idk you could just tell they put a LOT of effort into creating such a cute and fun submission aaaaa!!”
(Lily) I liked the fact that you guys came up with a set of small pranks without making the story messy. Putting the fact that the prank didn’t go as smoothly during preparation was a nice touch that made the story more realistic. The ending was cute, and the little party shark was funny and adorable. However, it would have been nice to see some original art. Formatting-wise, the story is a bit dialogue heavy, and visually the text is overwhelming (though I suspect it may be due to how you guys saved your story).
(Grace) The story felt a little…….. unfocused to me. It was just a little confusing as to which prank you were actually going to do in the first part. The ending and yelling out “PRANK” was cute though. It would’ve been nice to have some original pieces of art. The formatting was a bit awkward and hard to read. The bullhorn as a door was creative and cruel. I like the little character traits given in the story through little things like Matt sleeping.
(Amanda) Oh man. I really liked the conversation happening between all the cabinmates. It was really, really cute and I’m just a sucker for those kind of interactions. I do admit, it is really, really dialogue heavy and the format was hard to read for me; the line spacing made me want to skip over huge chunks of writing because there wasn’t much breaking all of those words up. I really would have preferred to see original art, too! While the pictures provided did show us what you did, I feel like it didn’t have as much creativity or fun as something drawn out would’ve given.
Cute shark, though. The “sharks with hats” bit made me laugh out loud.
(Campers)
“that Airhorn... it's pure evil. that's what. classic at it best”
(Lily) Firstly let me compliment you guys on your “High School Musical” jokes. Good stuff. I found Lauren’s being creeped out by the googly eyes funny, and Cyan’s question about “humuhumapapapa” hilarous! The little banter between the cabin members was really fun to read. The pinecones? Very original! Personally I think this was the most original of all the pranks; nice job using camp/natural resources! By far though, my favorite aspect is the fact that Julian was so involved in the prank itself; at the end there he was the true Wildcat MVP. Pinecones under their sleeping bags? Genius. The pictures were really cute, too. Despite all these great things, there were grammatical mistakes here and there. I also think the middle section is a little vague, like when the campers walkie-talkies cut out. It would have also been nice to have a little more description to accompany the dialogue.
(Grace) The writing really flowed in the dialogue- a hard task to accomplish! I really like how Julian got caught in his own prank, sort of painting himself in a corner. The “High School Musical’ references were fun, as were the little bits thrown in- not just pinecones in the cabin, but pine cones with googly eyes! Some parts did come across as a bit awkward- the walkie talkie fight and subsequent wrestling, for instance. There were some odd grammar mistakes here and there. The pine cone art was very cute! All in all, this was thoroughly enjoyable!
(Amanda) I’m a sucker for cabinmates being cute. And that’s really what this was-- cute! The HSM references were so fun, and I’m grateful you guys plugged those in as much as possible. And the walkie talkies! I loved the walkie talkies! I think that really showed a lot of personality and quirks of the cabin; and Julian was cute to boot! The prank itself was cheeky and man, I can only imagine the work put into gathering all those pinecones and glueing eyes on them (sorry Lauren!) I do agree that some bits flowed awkwardly, as well as catching those overlooked grammar bits (but there weren’t enough that they distracted from the story.) I do kinda wish I had more to look at, art wise though besides little pinecone art (cute as they were!). Overall, this was fun to read and I could see you guys had fun coming up with it too!
Prank Wars results will be announced tonight or tomorrow since Campers’ Choice Voting just closed yesterday. As for Camp HSS itself, final cabin rankings will not be announced until later, though it is likely that we will be wrapping up camp in 1-2 weeks, give or take.
Heyo, Friends! Thanks for all your submissions for the Prank War event. Before we reveal our scoring, we need you guys to score our last section: Campers’ Choice! Please fill out the voting survey here to vote for YOUR favorite prank. All campers, including non-registered campers, are encouraged to vote. Each cabin’s prank will be posted as links below. Happy voting, and good luck!
Heyo, Friends! Thanks for all your submissions for the Prank War event. Before we reveal our scoring, we need you guys to score our last section: Campers’ Choice! Please fill out the voting survey here to vote for YOUR favorite prank. All campers, including non-registered campers, are encouraged to vote. Each cabin’s prank will be posted as links below. Happy voting, and good luck!
Prompt #9: EITHER/OR PROMPT! Under the Stars/Dear Loved Ones...
Under the Stars:
Sure, it’s nice to be able to sleep in a warm, cozy cabin but... Why not have a change of pace, climb into a sleeping bag, and sleep under the night sky? What does this experience mean to you? What’s the best part? Worst part? Remember to have mosquito repellent on you!
Dear Loved Ones:
You’ve been spending quite a few weeks here at Camp HSS. Despite the fun camp experience... you’re kind of missing someone. Tell us about the people back home.
Have you been writing them letters? How much do you miss them? Did they send you off to camp? Any plans for when you come back?
Remember to @ camphss, write your cabin (if you have one!) and indicate that it is for Prompt 9.
REMINDER: You are still limited to 2 entries despite there being a double-prompt this week!
Hey, Campers! We’re back with another main event. This time, it’s what you’ve all been waiting for: Prank Wars! Remember the die rolls you guys did a while back? This week, cabins will get the chance to prank their fellow campers for cabin points. The number you rolled determined which cabin you will be pranking! Focusing on pranking your chosen cabin, you and your cabin mates will create a piece/story/project describing your prank. You and your members will be collaborating with writing, art, edits, etc. for this event.* Please submit your final work before the deadline. Remember, all cabins will submit one entry and all submissions are final.
*Format and grading will be similar to that of Cabin Legends
Please read the Hints and How to Win sections listed below.
Hints and Tips:
Remember the Cabin Legends event? Well, if you need a little boost in your creative juices, you can always check out the comments given to you for your last event here to see places for improvement.
This is NOT a tournament style event.
Using multiple mediums could possibly earn you more points. For example, if your cabin decides to enter a submission with both a story and a picture versus just a story, additional points may be awarded.
Be original! Remember, your counselors will be inspecting eight different pranks. Make sure yours stands out. However, keep in mind that pranks should be fun, not hurtful! It is also crucial to remember to keep it at most PG-13.
Keep your prank interesting, but don’t go overboard. It’s important to make your story fun and unique, but don’t over complicate it! We don’t want one prank involving too many elements not essential to the story. Please try to keep it realistic. If your prank is putting bugs in campers’ hair when they’re sleeping, don’t add in an alien abduction too. Hyperbole, but you get the idea.
Try not to submit an incomplete story or one that has an abrupt ending.
Remember to designate ONE person to submit your story to ensure that it gets submitted on time! This is crucial. If everyone assumes someone else is submitting their entry, your entry will end up not submitted! (We’ve had this happen a couple of times already, so just a reminder!)
Your counselors will be judging your entries! Please keep that in mind when coming up with your pranks.
How to Win:
Please submit your story as a Google Doc. All pranks must be typed.
Funny, cute, or serious stories are all welcome. Anything goes as long as it’s appropriate and within PG-13.
You must submit ONE story/project of your prank for your cabin. That means you have to work together to create one. We do not want 7 or 8 different pranks from people of the same cabin, or one prank from a cabin in which only one person did the work.
Your prank must be played on YOUR assigned pranking cabin. Do not write about other cabins’ members or activities. They may be present in your stories if you are writing about a camp event, but it should be primarily based on your own assigned cabin. Do not pick on or harass other cabins (or, for that matter, the counselors).
Your counselors will be judging by the following categories (point breakdown below):
Grammar - 10 Points
Completeness - 10 Points
Creativity and Originality - 30 Points
Judges’ Opinion - 30 Points
Campers’ Choice - 20 Points
TOTAL: 100 Points
Details on each category:
Grammar - This section is self-explanatory. Does your writing have basic punctuation and sentence structure? Are the words spelled correctly? When it comes to judging grammar, we will be looking carefully; however, this is not a writing class, and minor mistakes will not be judged too harshly. All stories must be written in English. Multiple spellings are acceptable (American English, British English, Australian English, etc.) as long as it’s consistent.
Completeness - This section is comprised of two parts. First, does your prank fit the event? Although this main event gives you lots of room to work with ideas, your story should not go off on unnecessary tangents. If your story is about a gluing campers’ shoes to the floor, don’t suddenly talk about scaring someone in the woods out of nowhere. Secondly, Completeness will be scored on coherence. Does your story make sense? Is it easy to follow? Can you tell what’s going on? Making your prank too complicated and confusing may cost you points in this section.
Creativity and Originality - How interesting is your prank? Creativity is based on the content of your project. Originality is judged on how unique your prank is. Making your story loaded with content does not guarantee more points. Your different mediums will also be judged in this section. If you include more than just your story (pictures, edits, etc.), you may be given points.
Judges’ Opinion - Just like it sounds, your judges will get to award points to each project individually. All three counselors will be judging out of 10 points, and individual scores will be combined for a score out of 30. Your counselors will give points based on their personal opinion.The total score is out of 100 points.
Campers’ Choice* - This new section is graded by YOU! After the two week preparation period, all pranks will be posted along with a poll in which you vote for the best prank! Of course, you can not vote for your own cabin, but don’t let that discourage you from voting for your personal favorite!
*Campers’ Choice will be awarded as follows: best prank gets 20 points, second place gets 18, with all the places decreasing by 2 points, such that it will end at 8th place with 6 points.
Cabin points will be awarded similarly to the Cabin Legends: Cabin - Score/100 - Place Ranking = Cabin Points. However, cabin point breakdown may be subject to change. Specifics of rubric scoring may or may not be posted/shared.
After the event is over, your pranks will be posted on the blog. Keep in mind that your cabin story will be visible to the public.
As always, cabins who do not submit their entries before the deadline will be disqualified for the event.
Have fun! We know this is a lot to take in, but remember, this is not a writing assignment. Just make sure to follow the rules, work with your teammates, and have an awesome time! Looking forward to your pranks~ :3c
