Page 23 of Beyond the Rainbow (Pride Camp 2025 #11)
Around the Campfire
S unday
David’s first cooking class took on the unenviable challenge of providing dessert for the Camp Pride participants on their very first night.
Wanting to keep it simple but memorable, he decided on a sweet cherry crumble served warm with ice cream.
As the scent of baked cherries filled the air, anticipation grew, and when the first scoops of vanilla ice cream began to melt over the warm crumble, the campers’ delighted comments and cheers made all the effort worthwhile.
Joshua ascended the small stage that traversed the far end of the dining room and grabbed the microphone. “OK, campers!” he yelled. “Let’s hear it for the professor and his amazing cooking class!” He stepped back and applauded as the room erupted with cheers.
After dessert, the campers and counselors made their way to a clearing near the lake, where the large fire pit had already been set up.
The evening air was cool but comfortable, and the fire’s glow cast dancing shadows on the surrounding trees.
Trent and Jeff had arrived earlier to set up a long table covered with the makings for s’mores, with long sticks to use for marshmallow roasting, mounds of candy, and a pile of neon glow-in-the-dark sticks, bracelets, and necklaces.
Some campers sat on logs, while others sprawled on blankets, some leaning against one another as they relaxed around the campfire.
David handed out s’mores fixings, grinning like a madman.
“Just remember,” he told them. “If your s’more catches fire, it means the universe has accepted your offering.
” Colin kept a close watch as the campers roasted their marshmallow treats, making sure no one got too close to the fire while Nate handed out glow-in-the-dark items, laughing as he dispensed them to the campers.
“Here you go! Instant rave gear. No fire-dancing, please.”
Joshua, who had been seated on a log next to Colin, got to his feet and stretched his arms wide as if embracing the firelit circle.
“Tonight is about beginnings,” he said, his voice carrying over the crackling flames.
“A fresh start, new friendships, and—most importantly—figuring out who put the raccoon in Nate’s cabin. ” Laughter burst out among the campers.
He grinned, letting the idea sink in before continuing. “You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to. But if you’ve got a story to share, a question to ask, or a complaint to lodge—preferably one that isn’t about the raccoon—now’s your chance.”
David stood and brushed off his hands, letting his gaze sweep over the twinkling fire and the faces gathered around it. “You know,” he began, his voice steady, “fires like this have been bringing people together for thousands of years.”
A few campers shifted, leaning in as he continued.
“Back before we had buildings, before we had books—before we had TikTok,” a few snickers rippled through the group, “this was how people connected. They sat together, just like we’re doing now, telling stories, sharing memories, maybe even planning their future. ”
He gestured toward the fire. “This was the first real social network. Before anyone could write things down, stories were passed from person to person, generation to generation, right here—by the fire.” He paused, letting the campers absorb the idea of a campfire being social media.
“Those stories weren’t just about the past: they were about who we were, what we feared, what we loved, and what we dreamed. ”
A quiet calm enveloped the group as the fire popped softly.
David smiled. “And now, we get to carry that tradition forward. Maybe you don’t think you have a story worth telling, but I promise you—you do.
And tonight, whether you share something or just sit and listen, you’re a part of something ancient, something priceless.
So … who’s going to be the first brave soul to speak? ”
Nate grabbed David’s sleeve and pulled himself to his feet. “OK, I have something to say!” He glanced at his husband. “Does this make me a brave soul?”
David gave a fake scowl and flipped Nate’s nose.
“None of us had to come here to Camp Pride. We all came for a reason. MY reason was that I wanted to support my friend, Josh, who is our beloved Camp Pride coordinator. His desire to provide a safe and loving space where all of us could gather together to celebrate our pride in who we are made me want to be part of his vision.” He reached down and patted Joshua’s shoulder.
“And I’m glad to be here.” He started to sit down, then stood back up and pointed to Colin.
“Oh! And I also wanted to be here to tease and torment Colin. I consider that my primary task this week.”
The campers laughed as Colin groaned, rolling his eyes before reaching across Joshua to poke Nate’s ribs.
“OK. Now that Nate’s had a go at me, I want to say this.
” He drew in a deep breath, the firelight shimmering against his thoughtful expression.
“When I was your age, I could’ve used a camp like this.
My main reason for being here is to make sure you have what I didn’t.
” Joshua leaned against his shoulder and Colin turned his head to press a soft kiss to his hair.
Then, shifting the mood, he pointed at Nico.
“What about you, Nico? I know you’re not here just to damn near tip the rowboat over. ”
Laughter rippled through the circle, and Nico flushed.
“Well,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, “mainly, ’cause my mom made me.
” Another round of laughter, though this time, Nico grinned along with it.
He hesitated, then added, “And, I guess … because I don’t have many gay friends at school. I wanted to make some here.”
A few campers nodded in agreement.
“That’s a pretty common experience for a lot of us,” Joshua said, his voice softer now, more reflective.
“There’s a loneliness that sometimes comes with being gay that doesn’t get talked about much.
It’s sometimes hard to develop friendships with folks who really understand you when you’re not sure who will—or won’t—accept you for who you are. ”
He hesitated, glancing around the firelit circle before speaking again. “Anyone else had that experience? Struggling to find friends who understand and support you?”
For a moment, there was only the sound of the fire and the distant chirp of crickets. Then, a camper named Evan shifted on his log, drawing his knees up to his chest. “Yeah,” he said quietly, staring into the campfire. “That’s … pretty much my whole life.”
A few heads turned toward him, listening.
Encouraged by the silence, he let out a breath and continued.
“I go to a really small school. Like, really small. I don’t think there’s a single out gay kid there…
except for me. Or, if there are, they’re hiding it just like I was.
” He drew in a breath. “Most of the time, it just felt easier to stay quiet, to pretend I wasn’t different.
” He paused and glanced around him. “I had friends...” He hesitated again. “…but none of them really knew me”
Joshua nodded. “That’s a tough way to go through school,” he murmured. “Hell, it’s a tough way to go through life .”
Evan gave a small shrug. “It just gets kinda exhausting, always making sure I don’t say the wrong thing, don’t act the wrong way. I came here because I’m tired of pretending. I just want to be me .”
A quiet murmur of agreement passed through the group. Someone reached over and gave Evan a quick, gentle punch to the arm, a silent I get it.
Evan looked around, then gave Joshua a small smile. “I used to think being different meant being alone. Now I think it means being brave.” The fire popped softly.
“And you’re one of the bravest,” Joshua told him.
Colin, who had been listening closely, spoke up. “I think a lot of people here know exactly what you mean.” He raised his hand without hesitation. “I know I do. Anyone else?”
For a moment, there was only the crackle of the fire. Then Trent lifted his hand. Beside him, Nate did the same. Slowly, almost cautiously at first, hands began to rise around the fire—one here, another there—until nearly half the campers had lifted their hands in quiet solidarity.
Evan glanced around, his eyes widening slightly, then ducked his head with a small smile.
Joshua let the moment sink in, then spoke: “And that is what Camp Pride is all about.” He glanced around the circle, letting the warmth of the moment fill them.
Then, with a sudden grin, he clapped his hands together.
“All right! How about we shake things up with a quick game of Two Truths and a Lie? And who will be first?” He drew out the last few words as he lifted a hand, finger moving in a slow, exaggerated circle around the group.
“Leeets staaart wiiiiiith…….” The campers leaned in, grinning, waiting to see who his target would be.
Joshua let the suspense build before finally landing on his husband. “ … THIS GUY! ”
Laughter and cheers erupted as all eyes turned to Colin, who shot Joshua an exaggerated scowl. “You’ll pay for this!”
Joshua grinned and punched his shoulder. “Ooo … scary! Now, let’s hear it—two truths and a lie, and make it good.”
Colin smirked at Joshua, then turned to the group and clapped his hands together. “OK. Here we go.” He paused for dramatic effect, then held up a finger for each statement.
“One: I once wrestled a full-grown goat to the ground because it stole a kid’s backpack. Two: I can do a perfect handstand and hold it for thirty seconds. Three: Joshua beat me at baseball once, fair and square.”
A beat of silence—then laughter rippled through the group as Trent groaned. “Oh please! A goat ?”
The debate began. Some campers insisted that the goat story had to be true because it was too ridiculous to be fake, while others were skeptical about the handstand.