Summer Camp

Harriet Gracie

Mr. Breaton

EWC4U  

April 25, 2015

Summer Camp

Friday, June 11, 1999

Dear Liz,

    I’m sorry that I didn’t write until now, I just got to the camp on Wednesday and needed to sneak this letter out to the post.  It’s awful so far.  They made us ‘reaffirm our gender roles’ last night; with brooms, vacuums and even those stupid toilet brushes.  They probably just don’t have enough money for janitors.  I can’t even believe I’m at this place, really.  It’s like some sort of jail, but at least you can defend yourself in jail.

Sincerely,

Mavis

Sunday, June 13, 1999

Dear Liz,

    Yesterday was the worst so far.  There was a fight between this one girl, Casey, and the camp director.  She didn’t want to do the ‘writing assignment’ where we had to write about our ‘dream man’, and the director had to haul her out of the mess hall.  I haven’t seen her since.  When I wrote about my dream man, it was mainly just you, but without boobs.  I copied it and added it to this envelope.

Miss you terribly,

Mavis

Wednesday, June 16, 1999

Dear Liz,

    This letter is fairly late, I’m sorry.  I got in trouble on Monday and was quarantined for two days, ‘cause I hugged Casey when she came to breakfast that morning.  They said it was ‘homosexual activity’ and separated us immediately.  They didn’t hurt me, so don’t worry, it was just a boring two days of sitting in my cabin alone.  I can’t believe what life is like for some of these kids.  A boy, Alexander, has fading bruises that he swears up and down are from falling down his stairs at home, but I’m certain it was his parents.  He’s such a nice boy.

Hope you’re well,

Mavis

Wednesday, June 23, 1999

Dear Liz,

    They found out I’ve been writing you, and took away my stamps and pens.  Apparently you’re on the ‘no-contact’ list.  Casey was kind enough to let me borrow her pen, and gave me a stamp in exchange for some chocolate, so here I am.  I really truly miss you now, it’s ridiculous. The ‘therapy’ is getting worse.  They’ve been doing crazy self-esteem stuff, making us recite hate speech about queers, talking about how disgusting they are, it’s awful.  I cried myself to sleep last night.  I just want to run away.

Still missing you,

Mavis

Saturday, June 26, 1999

Dear Liz,

    I got another stamp from Casey, so here’s another letter.  She’s been a great friend to me here.  We’ve been sneaking out at night and sitting by the lake.  Other than your letters, she’s the only thing keeping me sane in this place.  She told me why she’s here last night.  Her dad found her knuckle-deep in her neighbour.  Apparently her mom fainted and everything!  We’ve been talking about escaping, just taking a rowboat one night and hitchhiking to Toronto.  I think she’s serious.  I don’t know how serious I am, though.  I’m honestly a little afraid.  What if the counsellors catch us?

Much love,

Mavis

Tuesday, June 29, 1999

Dear Liz,

    We’re doing it tonight.  Being here is too much, so Casey and I are escaping.  I’ll try to call you if I can scrounge up some cash.

I love you more than anything,

Mavis

Wednesday, July 21, 1999

Dear Mavis,

    I haven’t heard from you in weeks.  Please be okay.

I miss you,

Liz