COD TF141 Camp AU
My mind has been stuck on this probably because I was a camp counselor myself at a summer camp. And oh man, what an experience. Cannot get it out of my mind, maybe because I like thinking of them happy in a calmer setting where its much less life and death and just them getting to have a semi peaceful life???
They still use their call signs in this because I know some camps make their counselors pick "camp names" in order to prevent duplicate names, especially if you have a common one. It's to prevent mix ups and is a lot easier for kids to remember. Plus, it's super fun - and carries a small spark of nostalgia for all of them
John Price (Camp Director)
Price is the gruff, rough around the edges camp director that is usually too busy managing the fifty million things that come with an older campgrounds filled with unruly kids/teens
He's one of the few who doesn't use his call sign. He just goes by Captain since that's how they default to him anyways
He's always got a clipboard or walkie talkie in hand, you'll never see him without something occupying his time or his mind alike
These places don't run themselves and he knows all about running a tight ship. He prefers to check things himself and wants to be involved so he knows what's going down
Not to say he doesn't have a sense of humor or is all business, he's great at playing pranks. Sometimes when it comes to new counselors, he'll do things like telling them to go get something for him from the basement. There is no basement, he just thinks it's a good laugh to watch the increasing panic and confusion grow on their faces and times how long it takes them to come back to him for help
He's usually not one to be interacting much with the campers themselves, seeing as he's quite busy elsewhere - and he's been banned from telling campfire stories because his idea of what an entertaining story is is probably closer to something that gives the younger kids nightmares
"It'll toughen them up, they'll hear much worse later in their life" is usually his logic. They'll be exposed to the real world, so might as well give them a taste of what it can bring and with a very cool sorry, thank you very much
As much as the Counselors in Training (CITs) and mainly the younger boys LOVE Price's gritty stories, the others are not so fond of having to explain to the parents why the children suddenly are talking about wanting to take down insurgents just like Captain
He means well and is usually admired, even if he is a bit unpolished at the best of times. As strict and stern as he can be, he's still one there to lend a genuinely listening ear. He's only as tough as he is because he cares, you just have to work around it
If you want to talk to him, you'll mainly catch him out smoking on the back porch of his cabin at night, seeing as he lives there. He knows its a bad habit but it's not one he can easily break and it's a bit of a relaxer after the day he's had
He'll happily let you relax on the porch with him, sitting back in a rocking chair, watching the stars above. It's a nice reminder of the little smaller things in life that he used to miss out on
Simon "Ghost" Riley (Groundskeeper)
Ghost still lives up to his name in the sense that he's barely around during the day, usually being a phantom and a whisper hidden in the shadows
That's mainly because he's not fond of having a lot of attention on him still and kids are a rowdy bunch as is. Throw teenagers into that mix and it's a perfect storm of chaos - one of which he'd rather avoid. He finds it too exhausting mentally and doesn't really have the patience to deal with that day in, day out
Not to mention, there's a lot of area to cover in the camp that he takes care of. He'll usually be out in the woods, maintaining the trails during the day when he knows there's not going to be others in the area
It brings him a sense of peace and purpose, allowing him to work on his own and at his own pace without having to deal with the usual hustle and bustle elsewhere around camp. Usually the tasks are quite repetitive and calming to his mind, he finds solace in nature's solitude
That being said, sometimes you can find him helping out with arts and crafts or in that area on very rare occasions - mainly if it's calmer groups or he has already finished all of his work for the day. He likes working with his hands and creating things instead of destroying all the time, it's better for his psyche
While he usually may work on a project on his own, he does occasionally offer his own advice or show the campers some tips and tricks he's learned along the way.
He's more fond of the older teens who he can show things like sewing and embroidery, which he'll often do in his down time, since they can pick it up and often are much calmer than the younger groups
He'll help them with their techniques and will teach them the basics quite happily. It allows for a far more interesting thing to do than the standard friendship bracelets alone
He has a small collection of little plushies and dolls made by some of the campers donated to him, and has a patchwork quilt of all the embroidered squares he's received
As much as he grumbles and complains about some of the campers, there's no denying the warmth in his eyes as yet another one scampers up to him, showing off a little yellow and black thread bee that they made for him
You're welcome to join him as he creates yet another prop or costume to help scare kids who wander into the woods at night. It's for their own safety, really. There's dangerous animals out there. And it's quite amusing to try to convince them that there's such a thing as the weresquatch (Soap's idea)
He has a grade A sense of humor still, as long as you like dad jokes, and will happily say enough of them until you're regretting joining him in the first place at that point splattered, work out picnic table
Though he doesn't let the campers do this any more, if you want to color his tattoos, you're welcome to - as consolation for having to deal with the campers all day. It's the least he can do, yeah?
Not to mention, it's a built in coloring book with the best lines there are. How can you pass it up? Of course, he secretly loves it too but won't ever say - instead he'll show it in how he rolls up his sleeve and sets the pens down
Kyle "Gaz" Garrick (General Counselor)
He's one of the first faces you'll see at the camp. Smiling, happy, and warm - he's an absolute welcome sight and naturally can put anyone at ease with that smile of his.
He's absolutely adored by all the campers. He's not the most "fun" one, but you bet he's the one who will have your back. No, he's not letting you go all alone to go rock climbing, but he's sure as shit at least forming a group and making it happen.
That's not to say he's a stick in the mud. He just won't let everything slide and won't enable certain things just because - he still has a sense of discipline and would rather not deal with some headaches (nor have Price get onto them about it)
He's still the one up at night telling all the (age appropriate, cough cough) campfire stories, teaching them how to make shadow puppets, and helping wrangle everyone to bed
He's also the one who you'll want to go to to get something done or to have a chance of getting a counselor on your side
I headcannon him as having an older brother and two younger sisters so he's dealt with kids before and knows their dynamics to a T, which means it's his second nature to understand them and to deal with their conflicts with ease
Since everyone comes to him for everything because he's amiable and polite, he knows all the gossip and drama. He naturally has an aura about him which people trust, regardless of if that's the right move or not
All he really has to do is be himself and people will come running with their problems. He's trained a wonderful poker face and fake neutrality over the years of it
Gaz isn't one to start fights or petty drama. He's one to finish them. And because he's in the know, has all sides, he'll be absolutely happy to make his stand - even if it is something like putting a fake snake in another counselors bed and waking up to them screaming in horror first thing next morning
He'll keep a straight face and assures Price he'll handle it, he'll have a talk with them (he's giving the kid who provided said snake extra dessert that night)
No one will EVER suspect a single thing
He's 100% the cause of one of the prank wars that lasted the entire summer. I mean sure, Soap helped, but a lot of it was banking on him and he absolutely sold it
He's a smart lad so he'll always have every excuse at the ready and can play anything off. Join him for it, you won't regret it. He's not getting caught and he'll make sure you won't either
He'll absolutely let you in on secrets and some of the drama that's been happening as you gather up the supplies for the next prank, making sure you're covering all your bases and getting back at those other counselors for screwing up your schedule
John "Soap" MacTavish (Activities Counselor)
Soap may not look the most approachable at first glance. He's quite intimidating. Have you seen those muscles??? The slight broody expression he carries? He usually has a concentrated face when he's working on something that he doesn't realize can seem scary
Not to mention, he doesn't always have the smoothest way of talking or the nicest things to say. His gruffer voice and tone combined with the fact he's more serious than other counselors like Gaz, generally means new campers aren't flocking to him
However, he's an absolute favorite among returning campers who know him
While he's got a serious face and can have the intensity to match, especially when he's focused on something, he's still a LOT of fun to be around
He's an activities counselor for a reason. He's got a lot of energy, a lot of excitement, and plenty of room to motivate others and to get them to WANT to be participating
He doesn't like keeping things the same, predictable routines. He's always one to switch it up and try new things. It keeps things a bit more exciting and keeps it further away from being a boring camp that no one wants to go to
He's incredibly involved in whatever he's doing, whether that be sports of crafts - if they're making friendship bracelets, he's already got a crew working on making the most ridiculous one possible with him as the leader
He's yet another character I head cannon him as having a ridiculously big family - with him being one of the younger, and only having two brothers but five sisters. His house always was a bit of a nightmare but at least he can now braid like a champion
He's used to the chaos and can watch it unfold without batting a single eye. He's really the best one if you need someone to help with the unruly campers. He's intimidating enough to keep them in check, but kind enough to not give the younger ones a heart attack
He's the one who makes up most of the camp rumors and stories. Weresquatch was based on Price being shirtless - don't tell him that though. He'll make things up to keep kids away from the dangerous parts of the woods and to nicely scare them into behaving. Or give them something to focus on and distract themselves
Gaz is helping sell said rumors. He knows when Soap made it and just rolls with it. Oh, you didn't know about the shoe eating leprechaun? Well, do I have some bad news for you kiddo
Whatever you do, don't ask him for "Ghost stories", he'll tell you a story ABOUT ghost, but so vaguely worded it can be interpreted as in a literal ghost story
Some of the best nights are at those campfires, after all of the campers have gone to bed. He'll happily teach you how to make the perfect s'more as you both talk about your days. He may or may not try to rope you into the prank war with Gaz and him against some of the other counselors, but can you blame him?
You'll make the best memories, it'll be worth it. Now.... about what he's deeming mission "earthworm surprise"....
(Good luck to the other counselors, you'll need it)
Part Two