Working at a church camp this summer, I am being exposed to a lot of new and interesting things. One of the events I usually love to partake in is the weekly hoedown. For those of you city slickers like me who don't regularly wear cowboy hats, our hoedowns consist of several key points. Most of the campers wear cowboy/girl attire and meet in the field or the gym. Most of the dances start with a simple group dance such as the Bunny Hop. We do some line dances such as The Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle, and the Cha- Cha Slide. I know it doesn't sound very "hoedownish", but it's still all in great fun.

Next, we get to the moment of truth. The Mickey Mouse March begins to play and two lines are formed. Campers pair up at one end and march down the center in front of everybody. Campers learn some partner dances. This is more of the hoedown style. We start with the Heel-Toe Polka. You have not witnessed pure chaos until you see 150 people all slide at once in a gigantic circle; especially when some of them forget which way is left. Though some toes may be stepped on, all is ultimately okay and everyone has a great time. A few more partner and line dances play and everyone leaves sweaty and tired. A mad dash for the showers ensues.

For some reason, the Ribbit Campers (2nd-4th Grade) had a different hoedown. The staff was not required to be at this one (which is unusual), yet I still went anyway. I walk into the gym and the kids are learning to square dance. A little unusual, but it gets even more interesting. I am watching the counselors in training try to learn the dance so they can teach the campers. The dance caller is instructing them, but its going about as good as my second semester of freshman year (I caught mono the second week of class and my grades never recovered). After laughing until I cried at the CIT's, its time for the campers to give it a whirl. Oh, Goodie. I was able to pick up on most of the moves. My favorite was when it was time to Do-Si-Do. Suddenly, everyone and their brother screams "Do-si-do and away we go!" While I am not sure the campers ever caught on, they still were having fun nonetheless. Then it was time for the campers to leave their cabin groups and find a parter. Dancing with second graders isn't my ideal Friday night so I quickly grabbed one of the counselors, Amanda, and we were in a group with some of the kids. At one point, the "lead couple" clasps their hands together and makes a bridge for everyone to dance under. I had to walk through on my knees. For some reason, somebody had the idea that cupcakes would be a good snack. Each batch has a 2lb bag of sugar... those poor counselors. This summer has been absolutely amazing and hoedown after hoedown, I still have not been disappointed. To experience a hoedown at this camp for yourself, please go to http://www.ccinoh.com/camp-christian.aspx