For the budding youth at Camp Weehawken, Iowa’s longest running young-adult oriented summer camp, awkwardness is not a new concept. Counselors are prepared by the staff to anticipate strange situations and are equipped with the emotional tools to help their growing campers. But no one could have expected the events following last weekend’s All Night Jamboree.

“We always keep an eye out for potential troublemakers. We’re trained to handle any situation,” said Kimberly Newcastle, a fifth-year counselor at Weehawken and self-proclaimed ‘Cheerleader for Jesus.’

“We want campers to mingle, meet new friends, and develop relationships. But sometimes, sin finds its way into the hearts of these impressionable young guys and gals, and well, then we have to step in,” continued Newcastle.

The camp was put on red alert Saturday evening when two campers, Brad Thurgood and Jenny Wallace, neglected to show up for the post-supper, pre-bedtime prayer meeting.

“The counselors all panicked.” said fellow camper Jeff Marshall “We had just come from that evening’s drum circle and were heading to the prayer lodge to close out the Jamboree. Brad and Jenny couldn’t have been gone for more than five minutes, but when we followed the counselors into Brad’s cabin, we couldn’t believe our eyes.”

“I refuse to discuss what those heathens were doing.” said Newcastle “But on the plus side, now that the camp is rid of Brad and Jenny’s wrong-doings, it seems to be a lot easier to get the kids to mingle. I’ve never seen such a friendly bunch of campers! Always eager to get through pre-bed time prayer and head back for lights out. They always come out of their cabins in the morning with smiles on their faces, ready to start a new day!”