Afterbite

I am back again as camp nurse this year, and although it's just the first day, it has already been amusing, to say the least. We always start camp with a good old fashioned nature hike at the beginning of each week. Last year, apparently everyone got a little 'misplaced' on the hike and it ended up taking twice as long and they had to come get the youngest campers in a bus and it was all a huge mess. As soon as I heard this story, I was suddenly very glad to have missed it. Other adults came along this year to ensure that the hike would be back to its usual length.
Somehow, though, this didn't work out. I'm not sure when it became clear that we had taken a wrong turn but as we entered the second hour, even the least astute camper had noticed. I was more concerned with the inordinate amount of campers being stung by bees. It was like an M. Night Shyamalan movie. The suspense built, first a couple of kids were stung, then a while later four or five more, then later three or four more until at one point the whole group was at a standstill all comforting a sting victim while hugging eachother and sobbing uncontrollably. If it hadn't been so annoying, it would have been funny. Well, it was funny anyway. Thank God, none of them were allergic which was my nightmare situation despite having a reserve of epi. Some put on brave faces, but most quietly wept for the duration of the hike. Thankfully I had a stick of afterbite which I used as a placebo (it's more for itch than bite) on all the kiddos.  That and the promise of ice packs upon our return kept them motivated, even though I had no idea where we were or how long it would take to get back. By the time we emerged from the woods there had been ten victims (a fourth of the group) and all others were whiny, hot, and exhausted. Ah, that's what camp is all about!