So this is a redux of one of my earliest series 'Camp Tales' but as being a Redux it will be starting over and be different as my earlier version in lack of words 'sucked'.
So, let me as you a question, what happens when you take 4 troubled urban youths and send them to a summer camp?
Westridge is a small city in the rustbelt, if you never heard of it you'd be forgiven but in this scape of steel and concrete is where four young boys made their home.
First was Andrew Chang, a young tiger who led a rag-tag group of children like him. Raised an orphan, Andy spent most of his life in the Westridge orphanage, turning it into a respected group of thugs defending the youth of Westridge. he liked martial arts, disco music and watching exploitation movies of the eras.
Next was William Richards or Tusk as he was known, a brown boar with unkempt black hair, he grew up in the orphanage and was Andy's best friend/right-hand man. you would assume he was the muscle of the group by his intimidating appearance and his golden tusk but deep down he was a total softie.
Steven Kent was a black wolf with red spiky hair, the actual muscle, as well as the mechanic of the group, able to build most anything. a Gearhead who had little respect for authority outside of Andy and Tusk. also, Steven was not an orphan like Andy or Tusk, learning the craft from their father who was a mechanic.
Lastly was Jakk Michaels (Real name Jack) he was a kangaroo. he was the more chill of the four, he practiced Boxing in his spare time, being the son of a heavyweight legend. he also enjoyed playing guitar in his spare time.
These 4 were sitting in the back of a decrepit bus, rumbling as it traveled along the bumpy roads through the forest. Tusk's eyes were glued to the screen on his gamekid color, pushing the plastic buttons to move the character on the green tinted screen. Jakk was sitting with his guitar case on his lap. Andy was laying back, resting his eyes and Steven was listening to his cassette player.
"This Sucks" The Tiger replied, not the least bit happy about spending his summer at a camp in the woods, meaning his group base was practically defenseless without their leader and second in command. Tusk kept pushing the buttons on his handheld.
"Blame the social worker, says the outdoor environment will be a 'good experience' for us" Tusk replied, fighting the boss on his game, Reminding Andy that they left some of their most trusted guys to take charge in their absence.
Andy sighed, looking out the window seeing the small town of Prickly Pines outside the window, dreading the idea of being at a camp with no AC, mosquitos and probably no plumbing.
"I mean, the break may be nice... being able to go a few days without getting roped into some crazy activates with a rival group or getting into a fight" Jakk responded, resting his hat over his eyes as Tusk was clenching his game, the batteries just died and he was on the final part.
Tusk looked over at Andy, asking if he had any batteries, to which he shook his head. Tusk simply put it in his pocket. The bus was leaving the town as heading along a long dirt road, leaving the last point of civilization the ride was uneventful as from the window the four boys could see a huge lake.
Andy would not admit it but the scenery wasn't bad, growing up in a city, the sight of nature was new to him plus moping about not being Westridge would not change anything right now; but he was already brainstorming escape plans.
Steven was stabbing into the already torn seat with the blade of his knife, hoping things would not be too peaceful, he was a creature of conflict and would go nuts if he couldn't bruise his fists.
Eventually the bus stopped as the driver called out that is was their stop, the four grabbed their bags, walking towards the front, leaving out the glass doors as the bus drove off. already the four were missing the air conditioning of the bus as the summer sun beat down on them. walking forward seeing the sign over the camp Entrance.
'Camp Kidney' Andy read from the sign as Steven was a bit confused by the name, asking who would name a camp after an internal organ, asking of Camp Pancreas was Full, earning a chuckle from the group. eventually the four were approached by a yellow slug, wearing a brownish yellow uniform and holding a clipboard.
Andy rolled his eyes, guessing this was the guy in charge as he was clearly an adult. The slug was trying to seem cheerful and welcoming, but Andy immediately noticed the acting. as the slug introduced himself as Slinkman, the assistant to the Scoutmaster, who was busy at the moment.
"When I say your name put your hand up and say here" The Banana Slug requested, reading the names. He went through Andy, Steven and Jakk with little trouble though the Kangaroo corrected it was spelt with two K's.
"Okay and you must be William Richards" Slinkman concluded, looking at the boar who was the last kid as he was quick to correct him, saying his name was 'Tusk'. Slinkman scribbled over William's name, writing Tusk in as looked at them.
"Anyway, I'm here to get you initiated on your first day, follow me" Slinkman requested as the group did so. The slug lead them around the camp, showing them the mess hall where meals were served, the watchtower, the Scoutmaster's cabin, which was off limits, The nurse's Office, the communal showers, and the latrines.
The tour was firly quick as Slinkman lead the four to an empty cabin, making it clear this was where they would be staying. Steven looked at the signs above the doorway, having various words on them, such as Black, Honey, Pinto and even Jelly. looking up he saw their cabin sign was empty.
"You'll need to register your cabin name, as long It's a bean" Slinkman commented as the camp's name made slightly more sense. Andy looked at the clipboard, seeing a list of names. Slinkman looked at it
"Okay, Cocoa cabin it is, you should get your uniforms later today" Slinkman replied walking off as Andy forgot they would be wearing uniforms. Steven detested the idea of wearing a uniform, which was a symbol of conformity and allegiance, neither of which he had for Camp Kidney at this moment.
The Four decided to spend the time setting up their camp. according to Slinkman the rest of the campers were hiking and would not be back until evening announcements where They would be introduced to the Bean Scouts.
They spent the time unpacking the decorating. in Andy's area he laid a meditation mat for practicing his kung-fu, and a decorative bonsai tree. Tusk's area had a Gamestation Alpha, a small gaming console with a foldable screen, it fit in his backpack ran on batteries and came with two wired controllers. he also put up a beanbag chair. Jack put up a sandbag for boxing practice as well as his guitar and a mini amp, Steven hung up some posters from his favorite band and a cooler, filled with bottled water as they refused to drink tap.
eventually the place was decorated and felt livable and would make their stay a little more tolerable.
after decorating the campers were getting back from their hike. upon checking outside their door, the kids in Cocoa cabin found a package with four Bean Scout uniforms which Andy was guessing were hand-me-downs.
The four transitioned from the casual clothes to their new outfits, the shirts were extremely itchy, and the black pants were a bit constrictive.
"I Feel like a dork" Steven replied as the group had a quick laugh at their expense. deciding to head to the mess hall as they were summoned by the announcement pole. the four took their breaths before entering the mess hall.
Andy opened the door going in first as Tusk Followed him, Followed by Jakk then Steven. the table were occupied by several boys wearing similar outfits as Slinkman called them up, standing beside him was a moose, judging by the way the moose was dressed it was safe to assume he was the scoutmaster.
The moose introduced him at Scoutmaster Lumpus, explaining it was pronounced 'Loom-pus' as he went out facing the campers.
"Anyway, we are being joined by four new scouts today. please give a Camp Kidney Welcome to..." Lumpus paused, reading the paper. "Andy, Tusk, Steven and Jakk... with two K's the new campers of Cocoa Bean Cabin" He finished.
The welcome was mediocre at best. They were in time for supper which they were not sure if they were lucky or unlucky as the camp chef prepared some sort of Vegan chili. Tusk sniffed it, digging into it. The boar was a vegetarian and did not eat meat so he was used to this kind of food. the other 3 had less a time enjoying the dish.
Things were silent until a few of the other Bean scouts approached the new members, looking at the four before introducing themselves
so in this version of the story. Andy, Tusk, Steven and Jakk are in Cocoa cabin instead of Refried Cabin. I felt like giving them a pre-established (yet Empty) Cabin