A Day for True Lake Lovers
Friday, August 1st, 2025
PARKING LOT circa 2:00pm—I amble down the gravel ramp from Camp’s access bridge into the arid expanse of the parking lot, slowing my pace as the increase in temperature dawns on me. Vultures circle ominously above in the cloudless sky. The joyful sounds of free time can faintly be heard from the greenery that encompasses downtown Camp, but it all seems like a distant memory as I trudge along this dusty patch of desert. Finally, I spy the object of my pursuit: a 2000-something Kia Sedona. I start her up and roll down into the office area where a smattering of lifeguards nonchalantly await my arrival.
Lake Shuttle duty is a unique job in the Winnarainbow economy. It allows one to be in proximity to a CD player and air conditioning for a whole afternoon. For the first shuttle-load, I’m only transporting lake staff. The lifeguards load in and with a clunky three-point turn we cruise onto the main easement of the Black Oak Ranch.
LAKE VERONICA circa 2:15pm—“I made a drink out of the watermelon mint salad that we had at lunch,” says Waterfront Director Annika Crowley, proudly displaying her concoction. “I added Yerba Mate, La Croix, and Tajín.”
Lifeguards lazily bob around on various floaties as they await the arrival of the first camper shuttle. Sunlight sparkles wherever the water has been disturbed. A cool breeze nudges the cattails.
“Today is the last day of the lake for the whole summer,” says Annika, somberly. “Today is a day for true lake lovers. Veronica is going to miss having campers swimming around in her. It’s been a good run. The cooler days we had this summer were good, because its less traffic and more chill. But the hot days are excellent too because the water is so refreshing. I’m going to miss it. All of it.”
DOWNTOWN CAMP circa 2:30pm—“Lake Shuttle!” exclaims Flowersticks Instructor Bodhi Cedar, holding a clipboard. He tries to make sense of a dynamic swarm of campers who impatiently wait in a constant state of movement. After repeating a list of names two or three or four times, the Kia is loaded up. I shift into drive and head back toward the easement, a cacophony of childish banter filling the enclosed space. This routine will continue for the remainder of lake hours.
LAKE VERONICA AGAIN circa 3:30pm— A pair of volunteer campers help me carry a large bowl of plums and a bag graham crackers. We scramble from the turnout down a small slope to the lakefront. “Lake close for snack time!” announces Annika. The swimmers slowly emerge from the murky water, arms held out as they drip and dry in the sun. A line forms at the snack table. Now that there is a brief pause in shuttle service, it’s time to fish for a few quotations.
“I love being Beach Mop because I get to swim,” says Stilts Instructor Maya Blackshaw Nichols, meting out servings of plums and graham crackers. “Beach Mop is a job about organizational attendance. We make a note of every camper who comes to the lake, and we double-check their swim rating to make sure they are they are swimming in the right areas. There’s been some sun-bathing today, and a little bit of rehearsal stress. I’m really glad I’m here today. I hope we can give the lake the send-off it deserves.”
“Now that the summer is over, the lifeguards will drink up all the lake water and eat all the cattails,” claims Lifeguard River Szeto Zenk.
“I jumped off the platform,” says Andie, 10, Gold Tipi. “If you do a pencil dive, you can sometimes feel the bottom. It’s all gravelly and muddy. The lifeguards are nice, at least most of them. There’s a legend that there’s a kraken that lives at the bottom of the lake in a school bus. Someone forgot to put it in park, and it rolled in.”
“The water was really cold, but that’s nice in comparison to all the hot,” says Teen Staff Django. “I just floated around on a pool noodle today. I think when the campers leave, the lake gets used to breed crocodiles to raise money for the scholarship fund.”
“The lake is very chill and pretty neat,” says Kaliope “The Great”, 10, Ultraviolet Tipi. “Did you put ‘The Great’ in there? Good. The lifeguards are super cool. They’ll talk to you and crack jokes. My advice is to change into your swimsuit at Camp before coming to the lake. I had to change in the porta-potty today and it was horrible. My favorite thing is jumping off the platform. The lifeguard calls out an animal and you have to make the noise of it before you hit the water. I got stumped by ‘mosquito’ and ‘lemur’.”
“I tried to pass my rafter test, but I failed,” laments Matilda, 10, Gold Tipi. “You start in the shallow end and then swim to the raft and back. You’re not allowed to do backstroke the whole time, which is kind of rude because that’s my best stroke. A lifeguard goes with you in case you get tired. This year I made it twice as far as last year, so I think I will definitely pass next year. After my test I just went between hanging out in the shoreline and reading in the sun. I say, don’t exert yourself too much. There’s plenty of fun to be had just chilling.”
Stay hydrated,
—J. Payseno, Editor
