(Author Note: This is the fourth episode in a series. The characters and situations were introduced in the story:
Camp Torowa Falls 1: Wet Sheets Lead to Sore Rumps.
Read that episode first! Then read episodes 2 and 3.)
(This story differs from the others in this series as it reveals the personal journal entries of Kyle Garlin, one of the other campers in Fox Cabin. This is an exact transcript of the journal and replicates any spelling or grammar errors made by the 11-year-old author. The story from Corey's point of view will resume in episode five.)
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Thursday, July 18, 1963 A.D.

I'm very excited. Our bus arrived at Camp Torowa Falls around 2pm. This is my first time away from home and parents, and I'am meeting so many new people. First impression - the other boys in my cabin seem very nice. Am looking forward to learning new ways to serve Our Lord with them. I've already made my first new friend - Paulie Jenkins. He's in camp for the first time too. Most of the other eight boys in our cabin (Fox Cabin - an intresting name) have been here before.

Uncle Henry was kind enough to give me this journal so I can record all my experiences this summer and not forget them. He made me promise to write something every day. I sure will try, but it won't be easy. We have so much to do here that I expect to be very busy.

Friday, July 19, 1963 A.D.

Our counselor, Jeff Paulsen, could be a bit more pious. But he seems like a good guy just the same. Mr. Lemmon, the camp director, seems like a very faithful man, and I have faith in his staff. They should make this summer a great experience serving Our Lord.

Some of the boys in Fox Cabin are a little lax in there faith. Jeff had to remind several of them to say there prayers at bedtime last night. There seems to be a group of boys in this cabin who hang around together. This is fine, but they focused on frivilus things. I will try to join there group and help focus them on the glory of serving Our Lord.

I'm learning to swim and paddle a canoe. We're also learning archery (using a bow to fire an arrow). The lack of privacy here is taking a little getting used to. I was prepared for sharing a bedroom with other boys, but the communal bathroom is a bit distressing. There is almost no privacy there unless you use a stall.

Timmy seems to be settling in ok. He's only nine, so he is in Squirrel Cabin, which only has little kids. We don't see each other much since our activity schedules are completely different. We do eat dinner together, so we can catch up on the days events. I thank the Lord every day for giving me Timmy as my little brother. Timmy is happy because so far he hasn't wet his bed.

Saturday, July 20, 1963 A.D. (New Moon)

Jeff paddled a boy named Phil Lundon the first thing this morning. He paddled Phil for bedwetting. I can't believe they paddle you for that here. I'm sure glad I stopped doing that a few years ago.

The weird thing was there was no pee smell in the room, and the stains on Phil's clothing and sheets looked weird. Maybe Phil is sick. I heard Jerry Farnham, the leader of the group I want to join, mention something about Phil's dreams. Could Phil have some kind of strange sleeping sickness? If he does, I sure hope its not contagious.

I tried to convince Jerry to let me into his group today, but he brushed me off. It may be for the best anyway, since I think they're a bunch of heathens. A boy named Corey Lane is the worst heathen in the bunch. I'd sure like to see him get paddled by Jeff.

Timmy informed me at dinner tonight that he wet his bed last night and got paddled this morning by Mark, his counselor. He told me that his sheets did smell like pee, so at least Timmy doesn't have whatever Phil has. I reminded Timmy not to drink anything after dinner, and to be sure to pee right before getting in bed. He was mad at me for "reminding him of the obvious." I guess a guy can get cranky when he gets paddled first thing in the morning.

Monday, July 22, 1963 A.D.

I will not make journal entries on the sabbath. I'm sure that Uncle Henry will understand.

Many of the campers in this place have filthy minds and potty mouths. I can't even repeat the horrible word they use to refer to the assistant counselors. I can't believe that most of these boys were even allowed into a religious camp like Camp Torowa Falls. I keep praying for them, but so far they seem to be resisting salvation.

Tuesday, July 23, 1963 A.D.

Corey Lane and Eric Linsey (another boy from the gang of heathens) were both paddled for bedwetting this morning. I was glad to witness the castigation of the unbelievers, of course, but I am starting to get worried. Corey and Eric showed the same strange symptoms as Phil, and I'm starting to be convinced that some kind of disease is going around. I will ask Jeff about this situation tomorrow.

One confusing and possibly disturbing note, my pee-pee became very stiff while I watched the heathens being punished for their sins. I'm not sure what this means, and I'm really not sure I should ask Jeff about it.

This communal shower deal is really starting to get to me. I'm really not used to casual nudity, yet I'm forced to parade around naked in front of other boys ranging in age from 9 to 18. Having to be nude in front of older teenagers is really humiliating. They make me feel like such as little kid, and tease me about my crucifix pendant, which I never remove.

Wednesday, July 24, 1963 A.D.

I'm starting to have my doubts about Jeff, our cabin counselor. He seems well meaning, and possibly even strict enough, but he seems just a little too much into the "fun" aspects of camp. He is not nearly enough into the "serving Our Lord" part of the deal.

Jeff tried to reassure me about the strange bedwetting effecting some of the other boys in my cabin. He assured me that it's not really contagious. But he did say it might happen to me someday anyway. That didn't make me feel much better.

I'm learning to swim pretty good, and canoeing is fun. I can't really seem to get the hang of this archery thing. If Our Lord truly wants me to hit paper targets with arrows, he'll help me figure it out eventually.

Today was the 16th birthday of a boy named Rick Smith from Moose Cabin. We had a big party in the mess hall after dinner, and there was cake and ice cream for everyone in camp. Lionel told us that this happens about once a week. I guess that makes sense - with 80 campers a few of them will have their birthday every month.

Thursday, July 25, 1963 A.D. (One week down, three to go!)

Jerry was paddled for bedwetting this morning. Same symptoms as the other three boys. This has me worried, despite Jeff's attempts to reassure me. I wonder if I could ask to be transfered to another cabin.

It started raining before lunch today, and we had to quit swimming early. I don't agree with the other boys in my cabin about many things, but I do agree that there was no reason to quit swimming early. There was no thunder or lightning, it was just raining. We were all wearing swim trunks and immersed in the water of life already. So why quit early? Personally, I think the counselors are just lazy.

Wow! I got to see Mr. Lemmon in all his righteous glory this afternoon. Five older boys were caught smoking after lunch and Mr. Lemmon gave them each ten licks with a razor strap on there bare bottoms right in front of us all in the mess hall. My pee-pee got stiff again while watching the whippings. I don't know what it means. But I have noticed other boys tenting their pants or underpants like that too when they see someone get it. Maybe its some kind of psycho-somatic thing?

I'm terribly disappointed in Jeff. Fox Cabin had to provide a helper to help Mr. Lemmon when he gave the boys their whippings. And who did Jeff choose? That stupid heathen, Corey Lane! Life can be so unfair! I would be a much better helper at punishing the wicked.

We did crafts for much of the afternoon because it was raining. We're making deerskin moccasins. It's great fun, although you have to be cafeful with the leather needle. A boy named Bill wasn't and ended up in the nurse's office. Poor guy, he even missed the strappings of the five smoking sinners.

I don't believe I've ever been so humiliated in my life. We had laundry inspection late this afternoon. Sorting out your laundry is ok. But then you have to stand in line outside the "laundry shack" - a surpisingly large building to be called a "shack". While we were waiting our turn it became apparent that boys were being spanked in there!

When they told us new boys what was about to happen, I was sure they were pulling our legs just to scare us. The sounds of boys being spanked in there was unmistakable, however. Why would anyone want to closely examine the stains in my underpants? I can see punishing a boy if he actually relieves himself in his pants like a baby. But a few stains here and there...isn't that why we wear underwear, to protect our outer clothing?

I had to submit to the shame of allowing a large woman named Miss Linda paw through my clothing. She did closely inspect my underpants and set one aside with a noticeable skidmark. I really couldn't believe I was gonna be spanked for that. But sure enough, when she finished inspecting my clothes she said, "Garlin, two swats."

I was forced to walk over to the largest lady I have ever seen in my life. Miss Bertha (her real name, apparently) was holding what appeared to be the world's biggest hairbrush. From the look on her face I couldn't be sure if she planned to spank me, or swallow me whole. I climbed up on her lap and she gave me two amazingly hard swats - they really stung like fire.

At least I was able to keep my clothes on. They made poor Paulie strip right in front of them. And he got his spanking on the bare bottom. I sure hope that never happens to me - I'd die of embarrassment.

This evening looks like it's gonna be entertaining, at least. Dinner time is soon, and a few minutes ago Jeff caught Jerry, Corey and Eric fighting and swearing on our porch. Even as I write this, Jerry and Eric are standing facing the back wall of the cabin, hands behind there heads, a piece of soap in their mouths. Corey is inside Jeff's office - I can only hope he has the biggest piece of soap in his mouth.

Dinner time was great tonight. The three heathens are all gonna get paddled at bedtime by Jeff, and I'll have a ringside seat.

Jeff didn't disappoint me this time. Jerry got thru his 6 whacks ok, but Eric was reduced to tears by his 8 whacks and Corey was bawling (like Timmy does over dad's knee) by the time his 10 whacks were done. They all deserved it, and I loved watching them get it. I did have to lay on my side in bed while watching, to avoid tenting my blankets in a noticeable fashion.

I was surprised when, after it was over and Jeff went back to his private room, Jerry got out of bed and pulled the covers over Eric and Corey. He looked kind of like an older brother tucking his little brothers into bed after their spankings. I've done the same thing for Timmy a couple of times, and it was kind of touching.

I think Jerry is a good guy, and he could probably be saved if I could get him away from those other two. I'll have to keep trying, and praying, of course.

Friday, July 26, 1963 A.D.

Apparently Timmy wet his bed again last night and was paddled this morning. Poor guy. I wish there was something to do to help him. All I can think of is to keep praying for him, but I do that every day anyway.

I had hoped that after their arguments yesterday Corey and Eric would no longer be friends. But today they seem closer to each other, and Jerry, than ever! I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be able to save Jerry from their evil. But a good Christian keeps on trying to help his fellow man, no matter how long it takes.

Aside from the spanking I got from that horrible Miss Bertha yesterday, I haven't been punished in nearly two weeks. This must be approaching some kind of personal record. I'm feeling kind of "bad" inside, the proverbial "wickedness bound up in my heart" and I don't know what to do about it. Back home dad or Uncle Henry would give me a licking when that happens, but here I don't know what to do. I guess I should ask Jeff to take care of it. I just hope he can do it when the other guys aren't around.

Saturday, July 27, 1963 A.D.

Jerry and Phil were both paddled for bedwetting again this morning. Jeff sure can lay it on a boy's bare bottom. I'm having second thoughts about asking him to give me a licking, but I just have to do something. Besides, a sinner should be afraid of his punishment, even if he has to ask for it himself. Otherwise it's not really punishment.

Jeff really confuses me. Sometimes he seems so wise and trustworthy, then other times he can be just plain stupid. I asked him for a licking after breakfast today, and he wanted to know what for. I told him about feeling "the wickedness" in my heart and how dad or Uncle Henry would take a switch to me at home when that happened. He acted like I was nuts or something! He told me that if I wanted him to paddle me, I should just break a camp rule and be sure to get caught. He would take care of me then. I had to choke down some really rude things I wanted to say to him at that moment.

Since then, I've come to realize that it would have been the perfect solution if I'd just let loose. I could have told Jeff off, and even thrown in a swear word or two, as tasteless as that would have been. But at least I would gotten my mouth soaped and my bare backside paddled, and my "wicked feeling" would have been taken care of.

Now I'm faced with the reality that I'm going to have to deliberately break a camp rule in cold blood. I sure am wicked - I only hope God can forgive me. My favorite idea so far is to walk up to Corey and punch him in the nose, preferably while Corey is standing right next to Jeff. That would be very satisfying, plus it would get me my licking.

I'll think about that one for a while. Meanwhile I might just be able to join in some mischief others are doing that is sure to be discovered and punished - that way I won't have to get it alone. I will keep on the lookout for such an opportunity.

(Sunday, July 28, 1963 A.D. was the First Quarter Moon)

Monday, July 29, 1963 A.D.

I still haven't figured out how to get that licking I need. I'll keep working on and will eventually come up with something.

There were thunderstorms this morning, so we spent a lot of time on crafts. My moccasins are coming along nicely - they certainly look better than most of the ones being made by the other boys.

Alan Dunson's 12th birthday is next Sunday, and the camp will provide the usual cake and ice cream party. The guys in our cabin are chipping together to get Alan some gifts. Jeff will take a few of us into town next Saturday to go shopping for the birthday boy. The rest of our cabinmates will be tasked with making sure Alan doesn't want to go into town next Saturday.

Tuesday, July 30, 1963 A.D.

Paulie Jenkins was paddled for bedwetting this morning. The strange thing was, he smelled of pee and everything. He assured me he hadn't done that for at least three years. I gave him the same advice that I give Timmy, and Paulie was about appreciative as Timmy always is. I'm only trying to help!

We are starting to prepare for our camp-out (actually out in the woods), which happens next week. We will actually sleep outdoors for three nights in tents and sleeping bags. Sounds interesting, and another new experience.

Wednesday, July 31, 1963 A.D.

I can't believe it! Woke up this morning and I had peed my bed! That hasn't happened to me in over four years. Jeff gave me three really hard whacks with the paddle on my bare bottom. The only good news is that Corey was also paddled for bedwetting, but not with pee, that weird kind of wetting that he and some of the others do.

Either there is some disease going around this cabin, or Our Lord found out a way to get me a licking without having to deliberately break the rules. Trouble is, three whacks weren't all that satisfying. I still feel the wickedness in my heart. Perhaps I'll have to sock Corey in the nose one of these days!

Thursday, August 1, 1963 A.D. (Two weeks down, two to go!)

This is getting too weird! Lionel Harper was paddled for wetting his bed this morning. Three days in a row now, some boy in this cabin has peed his bed. None of the guys who peed were regular bedwetters, so something has to be going on here! I was going to ask Jeff if I could switch cabins, but then Lionel said a strange thing to me at breakfast.

Lionel mentioned that when he woke up and realized he had peed himself, the fingers of his left hand felt wet. That was before he touched his wet sheets and underpants. (We all have to sleep with our hands above our covers - I'm not sure why.) The weird thing is when I peed my bed yesterday, the fingers of my right hand were wet. I just didn't think anything of it at the time. The final straw came when we asked Paulie, and he said that he thought his fingers were wet when he peed the bed Tuesday!

We're not exactly sure what's going on here, but we intend to take this information to Jeff. Perhaps he can figure out what's happening.

Laundry inspection was a nightmare this afternoon. We are now fairly certain that someone is making us wet our beds at night, but that didn't make any difference to the laundry ladies. We all got spanked for our soaked underpants, and Miss Sally found a skidmark in another pair of mine, so I got four whacks on the bare! It was humiliating having to strip in front of these strange, huge women.

When I got off Miss Bertha's lap Corey was standing in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear. That filthy heathen! I can't prove it yet, but I'm guesing that he and his heathen buddies have something to do with our night time "accidents". I'm praying that God gives Corey and his gang what they so richly deserve, and let's me watch! If He doesn't, I still might just punch Corey in the nose.