Got a Fruit Gift Basket Is A High School Band Camp Relief

The location of Band Camp is a rather isolated, rural setting. Comfort is nonexistent. The huts, where we lived, are old, dilapidated structures that house spider-ridden, moldy-smelling cots. They are placed side by side and in bunks, accommodating as many campers as possible. Talk about living in "close quarters". There is no other furniture in the cabin. Not only did we have to adapt themselves to share personal space with band members and their annoying habits, we had to sleep on lumpy, moldy mattresses. Although the beds were uncomfortable, fatigue from everyday activity performed these conditions, a welcome respite. 

Meals were shared in a cafeteria setting. The food, although the filling consisted of high-calorie, bland-tasting fare. Nothing was fresh and everything tasted like it came from a can ... and it certainly did. 

The week we attended Band Camp, the weather was terrible hot and humid. Seasonal allergies reigned as pollen counts increased. Be at Band Camp was both stressful and exhausting. Practice was brutal and the pressures of living in this kind of environment, as well as the mental and physical demands, made me miss the ordinary comforts of home. 

One day, around mid-week, we was very frustrated. The strict activity and living conditions were getting to me. We  was hot and tired. My muscles were sore, and we  was probably a little dehydrated. My allergies made me even more uncomfortable, to deprive me of much-needed sleep. My muscles were sore, and we was probably on the verge of dehydration. During a short break, my fellow campers and we  heard the roar of a UPS truck coming down the lane. "Oh great," they told. "Probably some more of that fattening food is delivered," added my friend. Imagine my surprise (and delight) when Band Director shouted my name with his megaphone to inform me that it was me who had the supply. 

So we hurried Rev. heavy box open while fellow campers stood around and then we found a handwritten note from my dear aunt, whose own daughter attended Band Camp a few years before. "we  know how to keep your energy. Enjoy!" 

Inside the large box was a beautiful bushel basket filled with a selection of delicious fresh fruits. Sweet and juicy peaches, plums and nectarines were abundant. There was an assortment of McIntosh and Granny Smith apples, Bartlett and Boss pears, red and green seedless grapes. Juicy nectarines and peaches were also included. Sealed packages of raisins, dried cherries and banana chips were thrown in as well. Best of all, was a giant, ripe watermelon. 

Aunt's memo said that the parts so that shares, we did. There was enough fruit for all to enjoy. This basket of fresh fruit is the healthiest food we had eaten all week. We savored every nutritious bite. It gave us the energy we needed to make it through the week. It refreshed us enough to soothe our nerves. It gave us the food we were missing so we could focus and concentrate on what we needed to learn. 

Because of my aunt's thoughtfulness, my band mates and we can look back on our Band Camp experience with love. It was one of the more memorable highlights of the week. To send me fruit basket proved to be encouraging (and food), we needed to see me through. This was one of the more difficult times in my life and made it a positive experience. It was such a great idea, we will never forget how much we appreciate it. Actually we planning to send a delicious fresh fruit basket to the other band campers in the coming years.