Camp Knox is a sleepaway camp for kids who need extra help with things they are afraid of, or with their confidence. Kids like me. I am 11-year-old Linh. My parents say I need extra help finding my voice, but my brother just says I’m extra.

​​

My friends Eclipse and Will came with me to camp, also Nico, a kid from our neighborhood. I started to unpack but fell asleep on the couch covered in my things I didn’t put away.

​​

I woke up to the sound of soft snoring.

​​

My friend Eclipse fell asleep on the floor, again. She always falls asleep in crazy places.

​​

“Come on, sleepy,” I said. “We already missed breakfast.”

​​

Eclipse followed me, rubbing her eyes. We walked into the pavilion to sign up for our classes.

​​

We spent the day doing activities, and the counselors taught us important things, like self-confidence and speaking up. It was tough, and I hate talking about myself.

​

By dinner, I was starving. I got into line and filled my tray with a mountain of mashed potatoes. Will called me over, and I sat with my overflowing tray.

​​

“Hi, guys,” I said before shoving big spoonfuls of mashed potatoes into my mouth.

​​

“We’re going to play truth or dare later. Want to join?” Will asked. I nodded with my mouth full.

​​

Later at the lake, Nico asked me, “Truth or dare?” I picked dare.

​​

“I dare you to dive into the lake,” he said.

​

My face paled. “No, anything but that,” I said. “I’m afraid of drowning.”

​​

Nico rolled his eyes mocking me, and I felt my cheeks warm. I wanted to fight back, but I couldn’t find my voice.

​​

Will stood up and looked directly at Nico. “Nico, this has gone far enough. We’re all friends here.”

​​

“Will the BIG HERO,” Nico mocked again. Will turned red and sat down with his hands in his pockets. Will was not the hero, he was the runt. The guy that no one ever paid attention to. He just wanted to stand up for his friend, and now he felt dumb.

​​

Eclipse started the truth or dare game again. We played until everyone was happy and smiling again.

​​

When the game ended, Will and I walked back to my cabin. “Thanks for sticking up for me back there; I know I couldn’t do it,” I said.

​​

Will smiled, as he said, “We have to be there for each other, and you CAN do it.” Then he stopped and said, “Remember class? Be confident in yourself, Linh!”

​​

When I got in bed I took out my journal. “The reason I’m writing this down is because we have stories to tell and adventures to seek. We’re not perfect, but we have to try. We have to have happiness in our lives and do what we know is right, or we’ll never reach anything. Will found his voice today for me, and I will find my voice one day too.”