Happy Campers

During a violent storm, the rule-enforcing director at Camp Bleeding Dove is struck by lightning. The incident leaves the counselors suddenly in sole charge of both the campers and themselves. With the director incapacitated, the group must improvise governance and safety for the rest of the season.

The two counselors start courting while others watch; their contrasting personalities clash but attraction grows. They navigate differences in temperament and belief as they spend more time together. The budding romance reshapes group dynamics at the camp.

Wichita finds a photo of himself as a child in the background of a Mount Rushmore family photo belonging to Wendy. The discovery sparks questions about identity, belonging, and his own beliefs. He keeps the moment to himself, unsure how to share it with her.

The pair finally admits their feelings for each other, turning their relationship into a central storyline at the camp. Their confession shifts the group’s dynamics and adds tension among the other counselors. They begin a private romance that others watch with mixed reactions.

During a private moment prompted by a bee sting, Wendy and Wichita become intimate. The event marks a personal milestone for Wendy and deepens their bond. The moment also introduces emotional vulnerabilities that ripple through the camp.

Talia, who has feelings for Wichita, grows disillusioned when he confesses he only wants to be friends. She later learns of Wendy and Wichita's relationship, fueling jealousy and resentment. Her frustrations add tension to the already fragile group dynamics.

To test the legitimacy of Wichita's feelings, Wendy has Pixel attempt to seduce him. Wichita overhears the plan and, in a charged moment, kisses Pixel. Wendy walks away in tears, believing the test has exposed a lack of commitment.

On the penultimate day, Wichita confesses to Wendy that he deliberately failed the test to see her true reaction. The admission forces them to confront trust, honesty, and what they want from each other. The revelation reframes the readers' understanding of their relationship.

Adam confronts Pixel about their ongoing sexual relationship, demanding clarity. Pixel asserts that their connection was merely a fling, not a lasting romance. The confrontation leaves Adam feeling humiliated and frustrated.

Donald and Talia incite a riot among the campers, who run into the woods in body paint. They attack Adam, Pixel, Wichita, and Wendy with condoms fashioned into water balloons. The chaotic scene shatters any remaining calm and forces everyone to confront the fragility of their bonds.

The morning after the riot, Wendy discovers that half of her Mount Rushmore family photo is missing. It is revealed that Wichita had torn off and eaten the other half to dispose of it. The act underscores the lengths some will go to hide truths, heightening mistrust among the group.

On the day the campers depart, they confess how much they meant to their counselors, revealing a mix of gratitude and sadness. On the bus ride home, Wendy sits beside Wichita, signaling a fragile closeness as they contemplate what comes next. Donald snaps a photo of them with a camper in-between, which will appear on the cover of the following year's camp staff manual.