I gave Caroline a brief summary on grading hand washing and then Chubby, Angus, Caroline and I set out to do our duty. Angus led the way punching open the dining hall doors and the rest of us followed. As we stepped out I noticed it was a gray, overcast day.

“Campers! Do you know what time it is?” Angus bellowed like a sergeant as campers looked up. “It’s clean hands time!”  I heard some cheers.

I headed towards the Bear Hut guys. They stood up and held out their hands.

“Well thanks guys!” I said, appreciatively and then proceeded down the line checking their fingernails, especially. I was impressed. I oohed and ahhed as I continued the inspection. The percentage of clean hands was higher than 50%!

“Good job Bear Hut!” I said as I started back into the dining hall.

“We win, right, Nurse Anne,” a Bear Hut camper called after me.

“I’m not telling. You’ll have to wait and see.” I answered.

Unfazed he shouted, “We win!”. I looked over my shoulder,  raised my eyebrow and shook my head. But that, of course, didn’t stop them. The Bear Hut campers started to chant, “We win! We win!” as they celebrated.

Not to be outdone, the Cord Hut began to sing, “We are the champions” at the top of their lungs.

The Rock Hut started into “It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight. Rising up to the challenge of our rival.”

Finally, the Deer Hut counselors lead the littlest campers in “Don’t stop believing. Hold on to the feeling. Streetlights. People. Oh oh oh!”

I listened as their voices echoed across the lake. I felt a pang of guilt for any of the local cottagers who thought they might sleep in on this cloudy Monday morning.

Not. Gonna. Happen.

The four of us gathered inside the dining hall and conferred. I took down the numbers. They were all up! I thanked Angus, Chubby and Caroline and headed back to the Director’s table. I sat down beside Father Brian who was nursing his coffee.

“I see you have instigated complete pandemonium already and it’s not even…” Father Brian paused to look at his watch, “eight in the morning.”

“It’s a special talent.” I acknowledged.