Epic!: Hi, Norm! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Are you ready to get started?
Norm: Sure!
Epic!: What were you expecting from your first time at camp? In what ways were you wrong?
Norm:I’ll be honest, I was expecting it to be lame. Any time your dad says something is “so great” and “really fun,” it’s usually not. I figured it was going to be a summer full of bugs, boring activities and cheesy camp songs. I expected that I’d be counting down the days until summer was over and already planning my list of reasons for why I should never go to camp again.
But I was completely wrong. Camp is awesome! I totally did not expect to meet awesome friends like Oliver, Wisp and Hazel. I didn’t think it’d be fun to learn new things like canoeing. Canoeing is really fun … once you get the hang of it.
But most of all, I did not expect to meet an actual lake monster!And did I mention the delicious berry casserole? Oh, boy … this has been a summer to remember.
Epic!: What did you learn about yourself at Camp Moonlight?
Norm:Oh, I learned somuch! But what I’m really proud of is that I learned that my size is a good thing. I was so worried about being too big and being too different and literally not fitting in my bunk (which is kind of true). But, and don’t tell anybody this, the Camp Moonlight motto is right: Being different is not unusual…it’s FUNusual.
My friends didn’t care that I was way bigger than them, and when we had to face some obstacles it was our differences that allowed us to succeed as a team. Each of the things we were worried about were the things that kind of saved the day. So what did I learn? I learned it’s okay to be different. I learned that it’s okay to be me.
Epic!: What advice would you give to other Bigfoots your age, or anyone else having trouble fitting in?
Well, here’s the thing. You dofit in. It’s just a matter of finding the place where you fit the best. Where you can be accepted for who you are without having to change. I was lucky that my new friends felt that way pretty quickly. I know that’s probably not always true. Sometimes it’s difficult to find those true friends, or where you feel comfortable.
But my advice is this: don’t change. Be you. That’s who you are … and sooner or later, you’re going to find the people who like you just as you are and it’s going to be awesome.
Be brave. Be patient. And, when you’re feeling a little down, have a slice of berry casserole.
Thanks for stopping by! Want to see more? Get all the Creature Campers books and check out the rest of our wildly popular Epic Originals titles for your kid today.
