My first experience at YMCA Summer Camp with Camp Yipiyuk at Flower Mound YMCA was truly extraordinary. Meeting new friends and participating in a variety of activities made it a fabulous time.

Each day, upon arrival, we headed straight to the gym for basketball and to connect with others. Following our morning snack, my friends and I enjoyed playing freeze dance, while the boys played soccer.

Some days were dedicated to archery, and I remember one shot that nearly hit the bullseye. After archery, we went to the art room to create animal-themed crafts, which matched the Zoofari adventure week theme. Later, in the camp room, we built shelters for future animal habitats.

Lunchtime was lively with games like sharks & minnows, followed by changing into swimwear for our swimming sessions. Mondays were swim test days, and passing gave me confidence to swim in the 10ft deep pool.

Swimming often left us chilly, so we changed quickly before enjoying our evening snack. We ended the day with games until my parents picked me up between 5:00 and 5:30 PM.

On the last day, we went on a field trip to the Fort Worth Zoo, where we marveled at diverse animals. One memorable incident involved a boy in our group getting a worm in his clothes, which was uncomfortable for him. My personal highlight was watching penguins swim swiftly.

Despite having visited the zoo before with classmates, this trip was still enjoyable. I loved every moment of the five days at camp and look forward to returning next summer vacation.