July Christmas at Camp Keystone

         Bong-Bong. The morning bell woke us out of our sleep. Jumping up, I pulled the blanket over my bed, tucking it neatly under the pillow. Grabbing my blue stretch shorts and Keystone Camp Tee shirt off of the chair, I dressed quickly for breakfast. With the ponytail holder in my mouth, I used my hands to rake over the top and sides of my long blonde hair, pulling it into a ponytail, and slipping the band around it twice.

         My cabin roommate, Sarah, came running up to me, jumping up and down, and quietly clapping her hands together. I rolled my eyes at her, "You have entirely too much energy for this early in the morning, Sarah!" I was surprised at the strength in her hand, as she grabbed my arm, and pulled me out the door.

         "Come on, Jesse! It's Christmas morning. Remember?"

         Rolling my eyes again, I said, "Christmas in the middle of July is the silliest thing I've ever heard of! How do they expect us to be in the Christmas spirit with no decorations or even any cold weather?"

         " Oh Jesse, stop being such a stick in the mud!"

         Pulling my arm even harder, she dragged me behind her, "Come on! Let's go!"

         We step outside into 90-degree weather slapping us in the face. I scream. "Argh! Swimming, boating, indoor activities, crafts, anything but Christmas"!

         Maybe I really was being an old stick in the mud. I made up my mind then and there to try and have Christmas spirit. No matter what the month, or the weather outside!

         Skipping down the dirt trail, gravel shot up from underneath our shoes as we turn the corner, We froze like reindeer in headlights! Our eyes bounced up and down and around like beach balls, trying to make sense of what we were seeing. Screaming with delight, we ran so fast, it felt like our tennis shoes barely touched the ground. White powder floated down from the sun-shined sky, coming from two monstrous blowers on each side of the mess hall. The prettiest mounds of white snow covered the lawn. We started bursting out laughing. Taking the palm of my hands I wiped the tears streaming from my eyes. The counselors looked hilarious, dressed in neon green shorts, that came down to their knees, and white buttoned-up shirts, with suspenders that matched the color of each group cabin. We had our very own elves!

         Sounds of delight echoed throughout the mess hall, as the kids filed in. A huge tree all aglow greeted them. On its branches hung laminated paper crosses, animals, glittered styrofoam balls, and many other craft projects made by the kids. Underneath the tree were presents wrapped in glorious papers: foil, comedy section of different newspapers, tissue papers, decorated grocery bags -- all with tons of ribbons and bows! The elves (and Santa) had been very busy!

         The mess hall was a brilliant array of paper wreaths, vine wreaths, and vines wrapped with lights, along with streamers and table centers of glass bowls with pinecones and white, sparkly cotton.

         Then the head elf spoke, "After you finish your Christmas breakfast of ham, eggs, cinnamon rolls, bacon, and pancakes. Each of you write your name on the piece of paper you were given with your tray. When you bring your tray up, place the folded paper in this big, clear glass bowl. When your name is drawn, you may come and pick a gift from underneath the tree. When everyone has their gift, then you may open them. After the gifts are all opened, we will have a daytime campfire, where we'll sing Christmas songs and play different games, which will have group prizes. May you all have the best Christmas in July, ever! Merry Christmas, Campers!

         Amid squeals of delight and an overload of Christmas spirit, all the kids yelled back, "Merry Christmas!"

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"The earliest known occasion to make the phrase Christmas in July literal was in July 1933 at Camp Keystone, a girl's summer camp in North Carolina, which celebrated with a Christmas tree, gifts, and a visit by Santa Claus. In 1935, the National Recreation Association's journal Recreation described what a Christmas in July was like at a girl's camp, writing that 'all mystery and wonder surround this annual event.'" - Wikipedia

Write a fictional story, article, or poem on this first "Christmas in July" celebration. We don't really know the all the facts, so make some up.