Camping is Intense

When we were young the world as we knew it was so simple. As years progressed and time went on we learned that situations weren’t always black and white. With so much on everyone’s mind camping was a home away from home that gave us all a little bit of clarity. Camping is not only about the crap hole they call a toilet, or the inconspicuous bugs that found there way into our tents its about letting your guard down.

We felt invincible together, if anyone needed help all of us were there. When things got tough we stuck it out no matter how upset we were. Whether it was our goofy nicknames, the water war in the canoes, or bringing back the nineties by the camp fire, the camping trip opened us up to a part of ourselves we thought was gone. The part of ourselves that lets us be who we are no judgment. Kelsey Costello said it best in the most simplest of terms "NO DRAMA".

Some of us found ourselves along the way while others rediscovered themselves. We want to run from reality but when we get back to civilization it’s there waiting for us, if anything this trip taught us to face problems head on, no matter how difficult they may seem. Branden Martinez said "Even though we don't have our cell phones, our video games, our comfort zone's, the one thing we do have is each others company".

We are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. We are the youth, the future, the beginning of a new chapter; sometimes we forget we are also kids who are still growing up.

By: Jaclyn Cimarusti

No chairs, no ketchup, bad service

You're hungry. Hot dog stands sound mighty delicious, eh? Delicate beef with all the wonderful condiments, including the sweet, succulent ketchup. Mmm. Oh, just thinking about it now, you'll really enjoy digesting this wondrous supplement.
Believe it or not, we live in a world where this is not always the case.
Welcome to Gene and Jude's Hot Dog Stand, where the assumed must certainly not be expected.
Located on River Road in River Grove, Gene and Jude's was opened in 1950 by Gene Mormino and his partner.
Today, many students attended the joint for a quick bite to eat as a part of Integrated Studies Class.
From a quick glance, it'll most definitely look like a regular hot dog stand. Go inside, however, you might think that it's only a bad joke.
"They had no chairs," said Pattie Sanchez, a senior, who informed me briefly of the ups, downs, dos and don'ts. "The closest thing they had to eat on was a few misplaced counters, which you'd stand next to to munch upon the goodness."
And that isn't the half of it;
No ketchup?
"Not even, man," said Bryan Thompson. "The smart thing to do, what I do is bring a few packets with you; if you ask for ketchup, they'll declare you 'you gone.'"
Thompson's smuggled ketchup earned him an extra point for the day. "He's pretty resourceful and I was so grateful for the ketchup," said Ms. O'Neill.
Gone is "No shoes, no shirts, no service." Here is "no chairs, no ketchup, BAD service."
Do I recommend it? I hear it has good food, yet terrible service. I don't suggest Gene and Jude's but it wouldn't be too bad to go.
A review by Kevin Bazarek