Pennsylvania State Police - Groves Memo #4277

Pennsylvania State Police Department

Narrative For Officer Brian P. Groves

August 12th, 1985

Ref: 25-70627-OF

                                                                                 

Groves #4277

  On the evening of Aug 10, 1985, officers responded to an emergency call at 53 Silver Bear Rd, Camp Silver Bear. Upon arrival, we initially found no staff or campers on the grounds. After further investigation, we discovered the majority of the campers in a confused state at the camp amphitheater. On the stage, Officer Conlon was first to discover the decapitated head of staff member Hedgrew.
  As the investigation continued along the lake side, we discovered Kasabian and the five male campers: Hollis, Barnes, Quinn, Fellberg and Dillard. Kasabian was partially nude and in shock. Appoximately 100 ft from their location was a burnt-out semi-cave construction, still smoking from the fire that had just died out. There were several burned corpses strewn about the area.
  According to the five boys, a Charles Lewis--a native of Hopestown--kidnapped them over the span of the previous two weeks in an attempt to rescue them from what he described as "an evil presence". He kept them where he lived, in a self-constructed cabin three miles east of Vandez Bridge. On the morning of the 10th, Lewis and the boys embarked on their plan to rescue the remaining campers and staff at Camp Silver Bear. The six individuals hiked out down East Manning Road and into Brownsville--a fifteen mile distance--where they used a payphone to contact the State Police. Lewis contacted an associate in Brownsville that provided food, drink and a few items to the group. According to the boys, the items were bibles, vials of holy water and a revolver(.38 Smith and Wesson Special). The group then returned to the camp on stolen bicycles.
  When the individuals arrived at the lake-side scene, Lewis had the boys arm themselves with vials of holy water as they approached the cave construction. They responded quickly to screams from Kasabian. As they entered, they found three naked males surrounding Kasabian, who was tied to a rock slab. At this point, Kasabian was unconscious and one of the males was on top of her. Lewis entered firing the revolver and shot the three naked individuals. According to all five of the boys, the three men seemed unfazed by being shot and that is when Lewis recited a passage from the bible and the boys all doused the naked men with holy water. According to the boys, the men combusted into flames. The one man on top of Kasabian grabbed hold of Lewis as Barnes and Quinn pulled Kasabian free and out of the area. Lewis then screamed at Dillard, "Do it, now", and Dillard, Hollis and Fellberg emptied the rest of the vials onto the burning man. At that point, a fire blazed throughout the construction and the remaining boys fled the scene and onto the lake-side area where they were later found.

Pennsylvania State Police Interview Transcript - Nancy Kasabian - Sunday, August 11th, 1985

Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol Department Transcript

INTERVIEW

Q - Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol Officer Brian Groves
A - Nancy Michelle Kasabian

Sunday, August 11th, 1985
                                                                      

Groves: I am Officer Brian Groves of the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol and, uh, I will be interviewing...Nancy Michelle Kasabian, um, the time is now 10:50am. Alright...now, it's alright, I just need you to say and spell your name for me. Can you do that?

Kasabian: (inaudible) Nancy Kasabian. N-A-N-C-Y, K-A-S-A-B-I-A-N.

Groves: Thank you, Nancy. What was your position at Camp Silver Bear?

Kasabian: I was a counselor--an assistant head.

Groves: And who was your immediate supervisor?

Kasabian: (inaudible)...Dave.

Groves: David Haggerty.

Kasabian: Yes.

Groves: Alright, I know this is hard, but I need...

Kasabian: (inaudible)

Groves: ...I need you to tell me exactly what happened on the evening of August 10th, 1985.

Kasabian: Please...

Groves: Nancy, I just need it one more time, okay? Can you do this?

Kasabian: (inaudible)

Groves: Nancy...

Kasabian: Okay...(inaudible) I need a cigarette.

Groves: Of course. Here.

Kasabian: Thanks.

Groves: Some water?

Kasabian: Yeah. (inaudible)

Groves: Can we get some water, please? Just a second, Nancy.

Kasabian: (inaudible)

Groves: Thanks, here you are, Nancy.

Kasabian: Thank you.

Groves: Feel better?

Kasabian: Yes.

Groves: Nancy...what happened when you walked to the performance?

Kasabian: It was...the end of the summer play, so...uh, I couldn't find them and went ahead.

Groves: You couldn't find who?

Kasabian: The staff. None of the counselors. The ones that hadn't, um...hadn't been sent home. I walked up the trail to the amphitheater and...I looked down at the seats and all of the kids were there. They were...(inaudible)...they were all just...staring at me. God, it was so cold up there. They didn't say a word and I couldn't move. I wanted to run away, but I couldn't. Then Walt came out on stage.

Groves: Walter McAlister. He was the head of maintenance at Camp Silver Bear.

Kasabian: Right, yeah...yeah, he came out with...(inaudible)

Groves: Nancy...

Kasabian: He had a mop and bucket. Like he was about to mop the stage. God, he smiled and was nice. It made...(inaudible)...it made me feel good for a second, like it was the beginning of summer again...he waved at me.

Groves: And what did he say?

Kasabian: He said, "Hi, Nancy...it's time to clean up." Then...he pulled out the mop, but...(inaudible)...it was all bloody. And he smiled at me again. Then he reached into the bucket...and he pulled out...(inaudible)...a head. Oh God, it was Zagnuts...

Groves: Zagnuts. That was Mitchell Hedgrew?

Kasabian: Yeah, (inaudible)...everybody called him Zagnuts...oh God...

Groves: It's okay, Nancy.

Kasabian: I wanted to throw up. That's when somebody grabbed me. It was Phil and he--

Groves: Phillip Mantel.

Kasabian: Yeah, he...he grabbed me and drug me down the steps to the stage. God, I couldn't get away. (inaudible) I screamed for the kids to help! But...they just stared...their eyes...they...(inaudible)like their eyes were dead. (inaudible) Phil pulled me on stage and threw me down. God, Walt still had Zagnuts' head in his hand. (inaudible)...Walt asked me if I had ever met his son, then that's when this guy came out. He was...he was dressed in a robe and had a hood on. I--I couldn't see his face at first...then he took off the hood...and...(inaudible)...my God, it was Matt.

Groves: Matthew Harrison. The bus driver.

Kasabian: Yeah, he...(inaudible)...then Walt laughed and threw that head at my feet...(inaudible)...Oh, God, the blood...I screamed...then that was the last thing I remember before--

Groves: You passed out.

Kasabian: I must've. 'Cause the next thing I know I'm under the bridge tied to that fucking thing!

Groves: The rock altar under Vandez Bridge, is that correct?

Kasabian: Yes...(inaudible)...I looked around and I'm naked...Oh my God, they...(inaudible)...then I see them...they were all dead. Brenda, Joey, Tyrone...Dave...(inaudible) Dave!--

Groves: Nancy...

Kasabian: Sonny was just strung up like a...Oh God, there was blood everywhere...and Sam...poor Sam. She was...all chewed up...(inaudible)...what did they do to her?

Groves: Samantha Pugh.

Kasabian: It's like they cut her fucking heart out!

Groves: Nancy...

Kasabian: Phil just stood there, staring at me. (inaudible) Walt, Matt...they just stared and wouldn't say a word. I begged them not to hurt me. They...(inaudible)...they just stared. Then he walked in, Dansby.

Groves: Sheriff Miller Dansby.

Kasabian: He came in and told me they wouldn't hurt me...(inaudible)...he said he wouldn't let them. He told me I was very lucky...because I was going to...(inaudible)...

Groves: Please, Nancy...

Kasabian: (inaudible)...I was going to carry the child of darkness and light...(inaudible)...then he took off his shirt...(inaudible)...he had a tattoo of a demon across his whole front...my God...(inaudible)...I looked at Phil and begged him. Then Dansby said I shouldn't look at Phil because he couldn't help because he was just a soldier...That's when Matt walked over to Phil...(inaudible)...and pulled out a knife...he put the knife to Phil's throat...(inaudible)...Dansby nodded and...(inaudible)...Matt cut his throat...Phil didn't even try to fight back...he just stood there and let Matt cut into his throat...God...Phil just stood there and bled...until he fell down.

Groves: Then what happened?

Kasabian: Dansby said Phil was never one of them. That he was just a dog. I screamed...and I tried to get loose...then the three of them took off their clothes. (inaudible) They were going to rape me...(inaudible)...Dansby crawled on top of me and...(inaudible)...God, he was drooling...but...I don't know what happened, I just--I blacked out. When I came to...I was at the lake with those boys.

Groves: The campers who had been missing, correct? Isaac Hollis, Hobie Quinn, Theodore Dillard, James Barnes and Steven Fellberg.

Kasabian: Yeah...I couldn't...say anything, I didn't know if I was dead...(inaudible)...are they...

Groves: They are safe and they're okay.

Kasabian: They...they saved me, didn't they?

Groves: Yes, Nancy. It appears they did.

Kasabian: (inaudible)

Groves: Thank you for your help, Nancy.

Nancy's Last Request

8/10/85

  The staff is missing. I don't know where anybody is. The play starts soon. But it won't because there's no Tyrone. The children...I have to protect them. I just don't know from what. I have heard voices, I keep hearing them. Screams. Am I going crazy? Please, tell my parents I love them. Oh God, please...

Teddy and Jimmy's Discovery

8/9/85

  I KNEW something bogus was happening here! Okay, last night we found out some crazy shit. The plan was for Hobie to draw Phil out of his cabin and down to the lake. He used his flashlight like he was some stranger walking around the camp. Phil went for it and as soon as he followed Hobie, me and Jimmy snuck in. Jimmy was lookout while I went through everything. The only things I found were old clippings about the murders in '79 and an old map of the area. Jimmy said Hobie's light turned off like we planned when he hit the lake. That was our signal to scram, so we did. We got back to our cabin with the map and clippings and checked them out. Real weird stuff. The map was definitely old and it showed the area before the camp was built. There were weird markings all over it and Jimmy swears up and down that it looks like a burial site. If that's true, Silver Bear is right on top of it! The really strange thing is, nobody's seen Hobie OR Phil all day! I don't know what the fuck to do and I'm freaked out. I hope Hobie is okay.

Teddy, Jimmy and Hobie

8/8/85

  I'm fucking right about this place! Something bad is happening here and I think Phil is behind it. As soon as I tell Joey about what we found under the bridge, he gets fired from camp?? No way, NO FUCKING WAY. I bet Joey went down there and Phil caught him and did something. I don't want to say it, but...this is total bogus shit. We found out that Sonny and Amber are gone, too. The counselors are saying the same thing. Phil sent them both home early. And I totally don't believe it cause we've got less than a week left! Tonight, we're gonna do something. Me and Jimmy are gonna sneak into Phil's cabin. We got Hobie Quinn to help us. He's gonna distract Phil somehow and get him outside while me and Jimmy sneak in and try to find out what we can. I'm not sure what we're looking for, but I think we'll find something. Fuck this place.

Zagnuts Needs a Meal

August 7th, 1985

Man, this place is freaking me out! Dellamusa's gone, Sam, Rudy, Ike and Stevie -- it seems like everyone is disappearing! And now Phil dismissed Sonny and Amber yesterday cause he caught them porking in the kitchen and we've still got nearly a week left! How are we gonna eat?! I don't know anyone that can whip up one of Sonny's tasty recipes, especially his beef stroganoff. Worst thing is I've been here almost two months and the only things I have to show for it is a blow job from Brenda that I can't remember and a constant smell of piss on my clothes from cleaning the bathrooms. This summer hasn't turned out like I thought it would. It's been royally fucked. Man, I wish Dave was here. Phil gives me the creeps and I think he's not all there, if you know what I mean.

Jimmy Has the Nerve(Sunday, August 4th, 1985)

Bogus! Tomorrow is the start of the last week of dress rehearsals before we do the play on Saturday. All of a sudden I feel nervous as shit and with that creepy stuff we found under the bridge, I keep feeling worse. There's only one cure I can think of...Beaver Cabin Boobs! Tonight I'm going over there and gettin me a huge dose of hooters! I really need some Tina titty action. That'll definitely make me feel good!

Joey the Hero

August 3rd, 1985

  Strange thing, I just talked to that Teddy kid. Little dude laid some totally mental story on me, but I'm gonna check it out. He says there's some weird shit going down under the bridge, like satanic shit.  He swears up and down there's bones and ripped clothes that look like Walt's uniform. Fuck that's weird. He's got this whole story about it being connected to those murders back in '79 and probably to Sam and Rudy. I told him I'd take a look. Funny thing is when he left, I started thinking about that Crazy Charlie fucker and about what he was screaming that day. He kept saying something about demons in the trees and evil under the bridge. Maybe if I can get a few pieces of that clothing, I could show Phil and we can get the fuck out of here.

Teddy and Jimmy's Discovery

8/3/85

  Holy shit! Me and Jimmy hiked down to that creepy fucking bridge yesterday and we found some weird stuff! There's an entrance underneath the bridge that goes into a small room. The walls are painted completely black and there were bones all over the place. I think just animal bones, but Jimmy was sure one of them was a human femur. There were some ripped up clothes that looked just like that Walt guy's uniform. It even had the same patch that he had, the one that said "Smile if you got some last night". And then this rock slab that looked like some kind of altar or something. I've seen shit like that in the horror movies that play late on channel 9. In the movies, that thing is used for sacrifices! Craziest thing was the weird carvings all over it. Gnarly Devils with gigantic horns and naked people. It made me think about those stories about the murders back in '79. Maybe this was wear they did it? Thing is, I only heard one thing about any kind of devil worship or whatever. My brother told me that guy who killed that family might've been into Satanism or something. I don't know. Anyway, we thought we heard somebody coming so we ran away. Jimmy didn't want to tell anyone. I think he wants to make sure he gets to do the play. Dickhead. I had to tell somebody, so I went to Joey. I think he kind of believed me. He said to keep it quiet and he would check it out. This is fucking crazy.

Crazy Charlie Is Born

June 10th, 1983

  To whom it may concern...
I have written these letters in vain for three years. I know now that no person will read them. These words are purely for my own insanity. For I am surely sliding into madness. My relentless search for the truth has led me to this breaking point. Do you hear the cries? I do. I hear their cries around me every hour on every day. An evil resides in Hopestown. Underneath the smiling faces and warm demeanors. It has a face, but I cannot see it. My vision is blurred by terror. I have spoken of cults, but it's not that simple. It's evil, I have seen EVIL! In the woods, by Vandez Bridge. There are people in town who want to believe me, but they are frightened. They understand that the darkness will come for them if they listen to me. Deputy O'Fallon paid that price. I told him everything: the sacrifices in the woods, the altar under the bridge, the strange hooded people at the camp...my God, he believed me. And he paid the price. Now, he's dead and the evil is after me. I can hear their cries turning into screams! When I sleep, it comes for me. I am terrified, but I'm not going to run. I can't. There is only one true beacon of goodness in Hopestown. Dansby. I can only pray he's too strong for it. Because it will come for him.
  Someone is trying to open the camp. I won't let that happen. I can't. I will warn them and if that does not sway them...I will destroy the camp. Forgive me. God save us all.
           Charles Whitford Lewis

Nancy's Fear

8/2/85

  I am sure something is wrong. I know it deep down. Dave has been gone too long. He would never abandon us or this camp. I don't give a shit what Phil says about "family issues", I know Dave too well. He wouldn't do this. And I'm scared. All of the tires on the vehicles left in camp have been flat for days now. Phil said they can't be repaired and now two campers didn't check in this morning. Stevie Fellberg and that sweet Ike Hollis. They've been missing all day and the weekend is here and I don't know what to do. We can't go into town and Phil won't allow us to form a search party for them. It's like he wants them gone or something. The staff has been great keeping it together, although I think it has more to do with their fear of Phil. He freaks everyone out.
  I wouldn't say this to anyone, but I think Phil is responsible for all of this somehow. Dave, Sam and Rudy, the campers, maybe even Walt. I'm fucking scared.

Brenda On Edge

August 1st, 1985

  This is total dweebo bullshit! I can't believe Sam and Rudy are still gone. I figured they ditched us for the Springsteen concert up in Oakland Falls, but never coming back is bogus to the max! I've had to pick up their slack and that's meant double the fucking workload. I'm on the verge of quitting this camp, myself. With Dave gone on his whatever he's doing, I thought it was going to get relaxed. No way. Phil is a total choad. He's up all night watching over the camp. I saw him outside our cabin last night. Lame-o was probably bopping his baloney. Pervert!

A Brand New Tay

30 July 1985

  Ooh wee! Something has lit up these kids and it’s lighting me up too! Two weeks ago, I was ready to cancel the entire Amadeus production and replace it with some white trash talent show. But now my little sugars are bringing the Fosse and showing me Twyla. Tay Tay's babays are wise beyond their years! And I’m feeling it myself – it's a splash of me trying on my first tiara and strutting it for my sisters and her friends during our basement costume shows. Ooh Wee, I feel alive! It’s strange, but I feel like this happens every now and then. Maybe it was a dream I thought was real, but I remember once I got so filled with magic pixie dust that I could fly! Oh, hush, Tay Tay...better not let that get out or it'll be like high school gym all over again. "Everybody get home, it's Lick-a-Bone Tyrone!" "Run and hide, Ty likes Guys!" And I cannot have them saying those cruel things to me. Oh, Tay Tay...be strong. Be proud. You are a gorgeous young man. You will NOT be held down, strapped to a bed, spanked and abused by labels. If they find out, let them! I'll be their Tay Tay Fairy, if that's the way they want it. My pretty ass would look great in tights! Okay, back to dress rehearsals! It’s like Irene sings, “What a feeling! Being’s believing! I can have it all, now I’m dancing for my life!”

Phil Mantel - Assistant Head Counselor - 28

Monday, July 29th, 1985

  I'm happy to be here. So very happy. I was going to leave. Can you imagine the sorrow that would have caused? Silver Bear is the only place that I’ve ever felt like I belonged. If the others can’t see that, then they need to really start looking around. Maybe they need new eyes. And if they can’t feel it, they need new hearts, fueled by new blood. I can make them see it, the groovy colors of being home. We can make them see that.

Teddy For the Save

7/28/15

This place is getting strange. That weirdo Phil shows back up and now Sam and Rudy are suddenly gone. Then I overheard Tina and Brenda talking about Dave missing. AND Zagnuts said that he thought it was weird that Walt hasn't come into camp in two weeks. I guess Phil's in charge now, but he creeps me the fuck out. I gotta find out what's happening here.

Sarah's Love

July 27th, 1985

Dear Mom,
  I have to tell you something. I think I might love Jimmy Barnes! I know I'm only 12, but that doesn't mean I can't love. Mom, he's so funny and talented. Mr. Tay is really impressed with him, too. He broke down in rehearsal today. It was our first run-through and after Jimmy's death scene(he plays Mozart), Mr. Tay began crying and said he was so happy with the play and that Jimmy had just broken his heart during that scene. Then Mr. Tay started singing Rainbow Connection and dancing with everyone. It was really fun.
  I hope to see Jimmy during the school year. He goes to Alvindale, so he must not live too far away from us! Thank you for sending me here, it's been the best summer ever! I love you.
                           Love,
                              Sarah xxoo

Joey Ain't Biting

July 27th, 1985

Something's going on. I think something bad. Something totally uncool. First, Sam and Rudy go missing, then Dave. Where are they? It's been a week! Nancy called a meeting with all of the staff today. It seems even that dirty fucking janitor guy, Walt, hasn't shown up in two weeks. Guess he got scared. She told us to remember that we've got a camp full of kids and we can't lose focus. Zagnuts asked why we don't go into town and ring up their parents. Phil said that'd scare the piss out of them and they'd sue us all for all kinds of shit. Fucking bogus. Phil laid some shit on us, though. He said Dave probably took off due to the stress, like he couldn't handle it or something. Then he tells us that Sam and Rudy had enough of the camp and went home. He said he was going to split up their checks with the rest of the staff. Which is cool, but...can he do that? Sounds bogus to the max.
But the weekend is here and we can all just take a chill pill. I just wanna pop open a few brewskies and not think for a while.

Nancy's Had Too Much

7/25/85

  Hey babe, I'm not doing good tonight. I know I shouldn't worry, what would my mom say? But Dave went into town this morning to talk to the Sheriff about Sam and Rudy and he never came back. Dave can handle himself. It's such a rocky drive, he probably just had car trouble and is stuck in town overnight. That's all, I'm sure. You know, all of the crazy stuff that's happened lately has really done a number on me. I think I've smoked too much grass. Relax, Nancy. Phil returned so it can't be that hard to get out of that rinky dink town. I just wish he'd hurry back.

Jimmy's Love (Wednesday, July 24th, 1985)

I love this place! Today, I fingered Sarah in the ditch behind the girl's bathroom! Oh man, she was juicy! First, it was BJ city at the bonfire, then she let me see her pussy at rehearsal on Monday(and I even took one lick!), now I'm knuckles deep inside her! Please, God, don't let this summer end!

Dave Crosses the Line

July 24th, 1985

  Wednesday. No sign of them. I can see Rudy splitting on us, but not Sam. She's too responsible. Fuck, I must be going crazy. And with what I witnessed at the bonfire, I probably am...but I'm not taking any chances. I should have gone to Dansby on Monday, but...I thought I was being too rash. Phil showed back up, didn't he? Yeah, well, I'm not wasting any more time. I'm going into town tonight to speak with the Sheriff. There's more to his story about this place than he's letting on. We've got to get the authorities out here.
  I feel so fucking ashamed for not acting on this sooner. I just wanted this camp to work out. Now...I fear something terrible is happening. DH

Ike Comes To Jesus

July 23rd, 1985

Dear Father,
  One of mine has strayed from the flock, perhaps for good. I am deeply concerned. I have not seen sweet Samantha Pugh in two days. The other night, she was swept up in emotion. She confided in me that she was on the verge of confessing her feelings to Mr. Dave, even though it had sinful implications due to the age difference. She feared that if she didn’t convey the matter to his pure nature, then, perhaps, things would progress down a darker path. She desperately needed--well, in her words--“to get horizontal with someone...probably Rudy.” I believe she meant Rudy the lifeguard. I told her to follow her heart, because Jesus is in there. Then she ran off. That was the last time I saw her, just as the lake side festivities turned into a hedonistic gala of wickedness. Heavenly Father...mine eyes witnessed things they cannot unsee. I expected sinful actions from the counselors, but not my fellow campers! Teddy Dillard was tearing the underpants away from all of the girls and rubbing them all over his body. That nice Jewish child, Stevie Fellberg, kept wagging his tongue and licking all over every camper. It was a demonic tongue, Lord. One that belonged to The Devil, himself. I accidentally discovered Jimmy Barnes receiving fellatio from that sweet angel Sarah Stevenson. My heart is broken, Father. I even caught Hobie Quinn eating insects and dirt. I tried to stop them all from committing such atrocities, but...I was not strong enough, Lord.
  The next morning I emerged from my long night of prayer to find the entire camp in shambles. There was debris everywhere -- beer cans, flung toilet paper, candy bar wrappers, banaka spray. Many of the campers had even failed to find their beds and slept where they passed out in the wet grass. Some were naked. And there was no Sam. I immediately went to Mr. Dave to report her missing, and he was as befuddled as me. He said she had come to his cabin just as he was heading for the bonfire and couldn’t even speak; instead she started gasping -- like, hyperventilating. Then she took off for the gathering. Mr. Dave said he would’ve gone after her except his hands were full with all the demented "hell" around him. I do not know what is going on with this camp, Father. But I feel your motives in sending me here are not in peaceful protest.
                                In Jesus’s Name,
                            

Brenda Is Worried

July 22nd, 1985

Last night was the most fucked up night of my life. God, I hate myself. It was totally mental. I mean, like, mental to the max. Like, Ozzy mental. I don't remember much after we raided the boys cabin. Things just pop into my head and I'm totally scared. We decided to do the raid without Sam because she was late. It was bitchin', like, for sure. We grabbed every pair we could find and threw them all in the lake. Let's see how they like that! After the raid, me and Tina and Amber rushed over to the bonfire. Sam never showed up, so we just split. The weird thing is, nobody's seen Sam OR Rudy all day. I bet they snuck out of camp and decided to bail with each other for the rest of summer. Anyway, when we got to the party, Joey let us all toke on his chonger and that's when things got really fucked up. I think there was PCP in that joint because everything went ape shit after we smoked. Things are kind of coming back to me. I saw Tina and Matt sneak off, I think. That fucking asshole. I think I fucked Joey. But that wasn't the worst part. This makes me want to puke. I think I went down on Zagnuts. I'm going to throw up. What if I got AIDs from that fat pig?!

Dave Is On It

July 21st, 1985

  A presence. Something, I don't know what. It's surrounding the camp. I know that is crazy for me to think, but I believe it. Whatever it is wasn't here at the beginning, but it's arrived. We had the bonfire last night and...everything seemed...I don't even want to say it. I watched some of the campers and staff dancing. It started innocently, then became disturbing. Some of the campers were gyrating with each other. I found some of the staff having sex again, but it was different this time. Tina was involved. I found her and Sonny and Matt. I asked them about it today and none of them had any recollection of it. They said they were drunk and blacked out. I've never met anyone that fucked in a threeway and didn't remember it. The worst part is that all of the strange shit began when Phil showed up. Just out of nowhere. He apologized and said he had a family emergency to take care of. What am I going to say? I've known him for too long. I can't tell him to fuck off. We've got nearly another month here and I need all the help I can get. I guess the first thing will be to help me find the rest of my hungover staff. I don't know where Rudy, Sam and Zagnuts are. Probably laying half-naked in the dirt.
  With everything that happened last night, I have to keep everyone under my watch. Especially, Phil. It's good to have him back, but...something's different with him. Something in the eyes. DH

Sam Wants It

July 20th, 1985

Dear Diary,
  The bonfire is tonight and I am feeling a major downer right now. Summer is half over...and I still haven't let Dave know how I feel. I think I have to do it tonight. I was supposed to go with Brenda and the girls to do the underwear raid on the boys, but I really need to do this tonight. I'll ask to help him with the festivities during the bonfire. And I can tell him when the moment is right. What am I going to say? I can't just tell him, it's got to be subtle. Maybe I should ask him what he does in his spare time? I could tell him that I like the same things. God, Sam, you sound like such a dweebo.

Rudy and the Night

7/20/85

Bonfire tonight. Fuckin A. I'm gonna bang Sam then get wasted. She's been teasing me enough. Nobody will be in camp, so we'll do it in the dining hall. Nick's delivering some primo bud and a sixer. Fuckin A. This bud's for me.

Charles Whitford Lewis -- Hopestown Journal Reporter -- 45

July 30th, 1980

  To whom it may concern...
This letter is my last option. It's the only way I can get the truth, in its entirety, out to anyone that may be able to use it better than I. The truth, or what I believe to be the truth. For more than a year now, I have been researching the murders at Silver Bear Lake and I have come to the conclusion that Mickey Jack Fredericks did not commit them. In fact, I believe he was set up by those who did. "Those" that I speak of are unknown to me now, but I think they belong to a cult. Not Satanic, but something else. Something dark, evil. I think Fredericks knew of the cult or whatever it is. He may have even been a part of it in some capacity. I'm just not sure. The only thing I am sure of is there is a blackness in the woods by Vandez Bridge. It is something hidden. Ancient.
  I read my words and I am taken aback. This seems crazy, I admit that. Perhaps, I am crazy. The northeast section of Silver Bear Lake: the camp, the bridge...evil is there. God save us.
         -------Charles Whitford Lewis

Jimmy's Worry (Friday, July 19th, 1985)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Brenda's Come Back

July 17th, 1985

So, we're totally getting even with those guys! Amber and Tina love my idea, it's so rad! None of us are really that mad at them for doing the panty raid. We thought it was fresh. Well, everyone except Sam. Poor Sam, she's going to bore all of the boys away. Anyways, the thing we got mad about is that fat fucking geekwad, Zagnuts! He was just staring at us and I swear drool was running down his chin. Grody to the max! We're all missing some underwear and Tina says she can't find any of her bras. She'll have to go braless for the next month, which wouldn't be a big deal if it weren't for all the little creepoids we have to babysit! So, to get even, we're totally doing a raid on them this weekend to get our stuff back. And to get there underwear! The plan is to nab every pair they have, but we're going to do it when none of them are in their cabin. Maybe Saturday night during the mid-summer bonfire. If we can do it quick, nobody will know we were gone! Every pair! They'll have to go commando for the rest of the summer. I guess that wouldn't be so bad.

Sarah And The Fabulous Cast

July 16th, 1985

Dear Mom,
  We've been rehearsing Amadeus: Live And Alive for a week now and I think Mr. Tay is going to have a heart attack before we perform at the End of Summer Gala. He cries a lot and acts like he is going to pass out. I think it's all because of Jimmy Barnes. He's playing Mozart, which is a lead, and all he does during rehearsals is goof around. Today was the day we were supposed to be off-book for the first few scenes and Jimmy hadn't even looked at his script since last week! I don't think he cares. It really makes me mad because I play Constanze, his wife, and he's always messing around during our scenes. He can't stop talking about disgusting things which I'm not going to tell you. But he's so gross. Ew.
  Anyway, Mr. Tay gets really worked up during rehearsals and says "I can't work like this!", then he'll run away crying. But then he'll come back three minutes later with a smile and apologize to everyone, even Jimmy! That's when Mr. Tay will usually have us put on scarves and act fabulous. Mr. Tay says fabulous is a way of life and we have to believe it before we can be it. That's always the best part of rehearsal, even Jimmy has a great time. Mr. Tay smiles the most during those times.
  I am starting to like it here. I love you.
                                  Love,
                                     Sarah xxoo

Dave and Crazy Charlie

July 15th, 1985

  Monday evening and no sign of Phil. I gave him the weekend and he still hasn't shown up. Am I worried? Does a bear shit in the woods? I'm not sure, but it makes me think. If I didn't let Dansby fill my head with all of that Crazy Charlie Lewis stuff, I might not be on edge. But now that I know the details about those murders back in '79 and Charlie's slip into madness, I'm not sure what to think. I've done my best to keep the story from the staff. I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do.
  I hope Phil didn't have some type of run-in with Crazy Charlie. Jesus, listen to me...acting like a spooked camper. Maybe Nancy's right. I probably didn't know Phil as well as I thought and he just found some townie chick to bunk up with for the rest of the summer. I just paid the guy on Friday, it makes some sense. Hell, I don't know if I blame him that much.
  No more town trips for anyone. DH

Teddy's Wake-Up Surprise

7/15/85

Holy shit! I got some new panties! I woke up this morning before everyone else, and there was a clean pair of undies sitting at the foot of my bunk. I thought they were Amber’s at first -- they were pink laceys just like the ones me and Jimmy grabbed in the woods before that evil douche chased us off. But I checked the tag and her name wasn’t written on it. Instead, it just had the word “Breakfast” written in a sharpee. I didn’t know what the shit that meant. Maybe some girl in the Beaver bunk has three changes of undies throughout the day. But then we were in the mess hall this morning and I heard a blood-curdling scream. Everyone looked over to find Amber flipping her tits ‘cuz she had just found a dead cockroach in her huevos rancheros! Not sure what’s happening, or if one thing’s connected to the other. Everyone knows that lame-o Zagnuts raided the Beaver bunk the other night for panties, but the rumors are that  Dellamusa was in charge of the whole thing. I think Joey probably did take those panties from me the first time, and he put those panties he took from some other girl on my bed while I was asleep...like he was saying, “You can have some panties, just not Amber’s panties.” I get that. But did he write “Breakfast” on there? Does he know I'm the one who got everybody sick on the 4th? What an asshole. Nobody plays games with Teddy!

Nancy Knows The Score

7/14/85

  Hey babe. Things have gone from strange to way out there. And that's an understatement. Ever since Dave visited Sheriff Dansby, he's been getting weirder and weirder. Now, Phil's missing and nobody knows a fucking thing. He went into town Friday night with Sonny and he never came back. Sonny got wasted and said he last saw Phil talking with two townie girls at the bar. Sonny was brought back by some dudes the next morning and that's all he knew. Weird.
  I'm sure Phil is fine. Dave says it's not like Phil to disappear like that because he's so reliable. If you ask me, Phil got a hot date for the week and split. And I don't blame him, I could use a good balling myself. Maybe I'll lay it on thick with Dave tonight. He won't know what hit him!

Zagnuts And His Bogus Night

July 13th, 1985

Man, fuck Dellamusa! Dumb jerkoff let me take all the blame for the panty raid. The worse part was that everything was going well til I panicked when I shouldn’t have and blew the whole thing. Joey posted me near the dark oak tree close to where I could see the Beaver bunk, which was the one that the girl counselors stayed in. They were real strategic. Joey and Matt flanked around the back of the cabin so they could go in through the windows while Rudy went to the front. Rudy knocked on the cabin door to create a diversion and just as the girls opened the door -- BAM! All hell broke loose. Total chaos! I could hear the girls screaming and I swear I heard some laughter, too. They were loving it! I do gotta hand it to that asshole Joey -- it was a solid plan. But I couldn't take it anymore, I had to see. So I snuck up to the cabin real quick, so I could see and it was beautiful. Tina and Amber and Brenda -- they were all naked! Tits bouncing everywhere! Then and I saw this shape coming out of the woods -- it was Phil making his rounds again! I jumped into the cabin so he wouldn't see me and shouted “You guys gotta get outta here!” Of course, I scared the shit out of the girls and they started screaming bloody murder. Then those assholes beat their feet out the front door and -- man, FUCK Dellamusa! -- they threw all that shit they raided right in my arms! So now those jerk rags are gone and I’m standing there with two hands full of Beaver Dams in front of all these pissed off girls. It was that bitch Tina who threw the first punch with her feather pillow and Brenda followed that one up right after. Then they wrestled me to the ground and started giving me wedgies. Brenda screamed, "How does it feel to be violated, porker?" It did not feel good. They ripped off my shirt and started slapping my gut. It was so embarrassing. Then it got pretty fuzzy. I’d rather be shat on by the devil himself than have to go through that kind of punishment ever again. I think some of them were grabbing tiny rocks from outside and stuffing them in the pillow sacks they hit me with! And the worst part? Sam saw the whole thing. She didn’t participate in the beat-down -- at least not from what I saw before the room started going white -- but I noticed her in the corner. Here she was the other day, thinking I’m a real victim -- kissing my forehead, all sympathetic for me and shit in the bathroom -- and now I’m this perv who likes to hoard panties. Don’t know if there’s any recovering from that. Jesus freaks don’t like that stuff.  

Well, I came to in Dave’s office. After Nancy checked me for a concussion, Dave told me I had to do midnight patrol the rest of the summer -- IN ADDITION to cleaning the bathrooms. He said he wouldn't put this in any report since he thought I learned one hell of a lesson. Jesus Christ, I said. Campers aren’t even looking up to me as a counselor anymore. I report to Walt more than I do Dave. The funny thing in all this is that I came to find out Phil wasn’t even on watch! Dave said he hadn’t even been seen at the camp in a day -- like he skipped off for town and took the bus home, or something. I don’t know who that dude I saw come out of the woods was, but all I know is he got me on night watch the rest of the summer, and I owe him a knuckle enima.

Joey And The Boys Pt 2

July 12th, 1985

Tonight is the night! Okay, so the last time was a major failure. I still don't know what the fuck Phil was doing patrolling camp in the middle of the night, way bogus. But it's Friday and I know for a fact he's in town with Sonny. It's their only free night for the summer. I think Dave must've had him out that night because of the crazy motherfucker from last week. He's totally paranoid for no reason. That mother isn't coming back. You know, if at first you don't succeed, keep on prying those panties off! I even have Zagnuts in on this plan. He's lookout while me, Matt and Rudy bust in and snatch those snatch covers. I told him he could have a pair, the dweebo. No pain! Here we go!

Joey And The Boys

July 10th, 1985

It's time for a panty-raid!!!

The Hopestown Journal - Friday, September 28th 1985

Friday, September 28th, 1979

SILVER BEAR MURDERS SUSPECT DEAD
by Charles Lewis

  The primary suspect in last summer's quadruple homicide at Silver Bear Lake was killed today after a shootout with police officers. Authorities surrounded the lake house of the suspect, Michael "Mickey Jack" Fredericks and pursued him on foot after he escaped through a basement window. Sheriff Dansby told reporters that the suspect opened fire on the officers as he steered his boat onto the lake. Officers fired back and within seconds the boat caught fire and burst into flames near the Vandez Bridge.
Fredericks, 43, was a self-proclaimed novelist that had lived in the lake house for a number of years. Sheriff Dansby issued a statement that there was a substantial connection between the victims and Fredericks, but would not go into details at that time. Vandez Bridge is located only six hundred yards from the murder site and Camp Silver Bear, which is across the lake.

Sam Can't Help It

July 9th, 1985

Dear Diary,
  This week has started off a little crazy. I think everyone has finally gotten over the stomach flu from the 4th, but it really put us all on edge. Especially with Zagnuts. The campers have totally been on his case since then, I think they think he had something to do with the sickness. Some of them have been making fun of him every chance they get. And it's getting physical, too! I found Zagnuts in the girl's bathroom this morning, duct-taped to one of the stalls. He said a group of campers got him last night and did it, but he didn't know who because it was so dark. I think he knows who, but doesn't want to say because he thinks that'll earn their respect. Guys are so weird! I made a mistake, though. Once again, the nice girl that I am got me into some bad situation. I was helping him out of the tape and I felt sorry for him because he looked so sad...so I kissed the top of his head. Then he tried to squeeze my boobs! Well, more than try, HE DID! God, that made me so mad. I screamed and walked away really fast.
  Then I got to hang out with Dave for a while before dinner. He seemed bothered by something. I told him he could tell me anything, but he just brushed me off and said that it was something the Sheriff had told him in town. He told me not to worry, but he wants me to help make sure that none of the campers or the staff wander into the woods alone. I bet it has something to do with that crazy guy Amber was talking about. Well, it was nice being with Dave. I feel guilty thinking this, but...I hoped he was going to tell me that he was having troubles with Nancy. I know it's so wrong, he's so much older than me. But not that much older.

Hobie "Roach" Quinn - 13 (July 9th, 1985)

Hey Bro,

These Jesus freaks are driving me nuts. You should count yourself lucky Ma didn’t have enough to send both of us to the outskirts of nowhere to some rathole. Next time she tells you that you’re going to have an “enriching summer”…run. Seriously. These guys are fruitcakes. They’ve never heard of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or Van Halen. And it seems everyone here knows each other. It’s like a damn cult. Only person I know is this Sarah girl. I remember her from last year when I got my nickname. If Ma wasn’t so broke, I’d find a way out. Just the other day, I was at the canoe launch. Basically we just floated down a creek. No paddles, no current, no nothing. And the assholes call this summercamp.

Man..their bug juice. They made a barrel of this crap. It’s red and I’m sure it’s Hawaiian Punch but they added something extra. Like pineapple chunks or something. I think that's what got me and everybody really sick on the 4th. I had to climb out of my bunk cause I had the runs. I didn’t make it. Shit poured out of me like gravy. I hid behind a tree stump. Just letting loose. Oh what a relief. Must’ve been loud, since it woke up another kid, looking out the screen door. I told him to mind his own business.

It’s not all bad. There’s this homo looking guy. Goes by Dale or Dave or something. This dude doesn’t tan, he reddens. Then there's this fatwad named Zagnuts. He cleans the latrines and when I see him, I tell this guy some dirty jokes. Like the one about Pissball Pete:

Over the hill came Pissball Pete,
with 40 pounds of swingin meat,
then over the hill came Ms. Suzie Brown,
said no man can lay her down,
so he laid her down in the tall green grass,
and shoved his cock right up her ass,
then Ms. Suzie Brown blew a big bad fart,
blew his balls ten feet apart,
now over the hill comes Pissball pete,
with 40 pounds of shredded meat.

It slays him. Like the guy never heard of jokes before. His laughing is this huh-huh-huh from his big gut. Well, I hope you’re having a good time at little league. I got to split now, it’s lights out…at 8 at night. Can you believe this?

Later gator,

Roach

Theodore "Teddy" Dillard - 13

7/8/85

I’ll admit I’m a little freaked here. Still getting over the sight of that crazy dickwad chasing off Amber and Joey the other day in the woods. His skin looked all gross like DAWN OF THE DEAD gross. Jimmy took it in as one big laugh -- I guess because he looks up to me because I spiked the eggs and got everyone sick and I know the best places for tit action. Anyway, I was up late last night...a long time after everyone else in my cabin fell asleep. I was just thinking about that creepy fucker being out there somewhere in the woods. My mind started playing tricks on me. Thought I heard someone out there walking around and grunting. I was sure it was just one of the counselors sneaking off for a little midnight beaver snack down by the lake, but then...well, this morning I woke up and found Amber’s panties missing. I had stuffed them away so no one could find them -- in the hole under the headpost in my bunk that pulls out. Not even Jimmy knows about it because I wanted them all to myself the rest of the summer. It was probably Joey -- yeah, I’m pretty sure. We ran pretty fast when the crazy fucker left, so they probably saw us. I’m sure he knew we had Amber’s panties, and he knows where all the good hiding spots are because he’s the one that told us where to hide stuff! He snuck in here and got them during dinner, or after I fell asleep. I know I shouldn’t ask him, just in case he didn’t see us -- but I’m dying to know who took them… At least one of the counselors knows there’s some crazy evil fucker running around near the camp. I just know it’ll stop with Joey because he don’t want Mr. Dave to know he was out there. I’ve gotta keep my eyes open.

Dave's Problem

July 7th, 1985

Past few days have been hard. First it was the camp-wide sickness on the 4th, then rescheduling the dance, now this crazy guy in the woods. Joey and Amber told me some crazy guy caught them in the woods yesterday and scared the hell out of them with some story about what happened here back in '79. A murderer, ghosts roaming around, I don't know what to make of it. I don't like the thought of somebody like this crazo roaming the woods. We have to think about the safety of our campers and our staff. I think I'm going to see Sheriff Dansby tomorrow and see what he knows about the guy. I just hope these kids can keep it together for a few hours while I'm gone. DH

Jimmy's Best Day (Saturday, July 6th, '85)

Whoa! Talk about tubular! This may be the most awesomest day of camp! It all started this morning. Like usual, me and Teddy snuck over to the Beaver cabin where the girl counselors stay. It wasn't cold like normal, so the windows weren't fogged and, boy, could we see everything. Tits everywhere! One of the girls saw a rat or something and then they all started jumping on their beds and screaming. Tits were bouncing all over the place!
Next, we skipped out on breakfast and went to the lake to see if we could find the spot where that family got murdered. We figured everyone would think we were still getting over the runs. And they definitely wouldn't think it was us who spiked the eggs! I still can't believe we got away with that. Teddy is a genius! So, we couldn't find the exact area, but Teddy was sure we were in the right place. Then we found it. Huge footprints. I didn't want to, but Teddy started following them. After a few yards, we found some kind of dead animal. It was all chewed up, gross and nasty. We just got away from there. Then, on our way back, we heard some moaning and groaning, so we decided to check it out and we caught Joey and Amber porking against a tree! We watched for a second and were about to jump out at them when this crazy looking guy came out of nowhere and scared them. He started yelling something and shaking his hands at them. Both of them picked up their clothes and ran. We waited for the crazy guy to walk off, then we left. But not before Teddy saw Amber's panties in the dirt and took them. We've been smelling them all day.
Finally, after dinner, me and Teddy snuck over to the counselors rec cabin and overhead Rudy and Joey planning a panty raid on the girl counselors soon. I am not missing that! This is the best summer of my life!

Matt's Bright Side

7/6/85

Man, the 4th was RIGHTEOUS torture. Spent the whole afternoon and most of the night with everyone else going in and out of the bathrooms. Everybody was shitting and puking their brains out! Everyone in the camp was blaming the cabin I’m stayin in cause they had breakfast KP and they think they did something to the food. I say if that was true, it’d be the most bogus prank ever cause it seems the Bear cabin got it the worst. A lot of the kids had to sleep sitting up cause of fear they were gonna choke on their own vomit. Jesus Christ. Dave did a complete check and investigation of the kitchen and I’m sure the cook Sonny felt real bad, but then Dave told me he couldn’t figure out what caused it cause he said Sonny kept the cleanest kitchen he had ever seen. My guess: Zagnuts didn’t take a shower after cleaning out the bathrooms and he got turd crumbs all over the Independance Muffins everybody was eating. I remember him setting them out during morning KP. He’s an asshole, but I’m not gonna call him out. Truth is, I feel bad for the guy. He’s a real geek at this place. No one really likes him. Last thing he needs is Dave making him eat all his meals in quarantine behind some big plastic bubble in the Mess Hall. From now on, I’ll just be on his ass and make sure he showers after every time he cleans the shitters.

Even though Saturday was hell, the bright side was Dave ordered me to go pick up some more toilet paper and Lysol from town and guess who got to go with me? Goddamn, Brenda was a fuck machine. Our bodies were still weak from all the puking, but I guess being away from camp and the fact that it was a surprise gave us enough stamina to put us into pork-ship hyperdrive. We couldn’t even wait to get into town. On the way, Brenda shoved her way down my jeans and started giving me a tug job, and I couldn’t take it anymore! I parked under a bridge and we jumped in the back. Then we got into Hopestown and I remembered my Stepdad was out of town at a business conference ‘til Thursday! I porked her on the same bed where the fucker cheated on my mom. After that, I guess all the porkin upset my stomach and I got a little aftershock, so I ralphed all over his pillow. Brenda laughed. It was great!

Anyway, I’m back at camp now and things seem to be getting back to normal. The campers are doing much better, and Dave re-scheduled the Independence Dance and fireworks for next Saturday. Only thing that sucks a chub is that now he’s no longer trusting the kids, so he made all counselors split up Mess Hall duties for the rest of the summer -- including me, cause they need the help! And here’s the real kicker. Dave’s still pissed off about Zagnuts showing his ass in town last week, so the fat turd has to pull every KP shift. I’ll be standing by him with a bar of soap til mid-August.

Nancy Likes To Sleep In

6/5/85

Hey babe, miss me? I never thought I'd have a worse fourth than last year's at Mossytree, but I was wrong. Oh, Nancy, you're still so young. Whatever was in that breakfast yesterday wrecked nearly the entire camp! I think me and Dave might have been the only ones to not get sick and that's only because we fooled around and slept in. We missed the breakfast, so it had to be that. We've never had any problems with Sonny's cooking before, but he must have screwed around with the wrong recipe. I had never heard of Independence Omelettes, so I'm guessing it was something new he was trying. All classes were canceled today. Everyone was too sick to do anything! They've got the weekend to get better, so maybe Dave will let a couple of the counselors go into town and get some supplies. After yesterday, the camp is low on toilet paper and aspirin and other things. Grass, too. I'm just sad for Zagnuts. He's on bathroom duty for the rest of summer and it's World War Three in there right now!

The Fourth of July

CAMP SILVER BEAR ACTIVITIES LIST -- JULY 4

“Mistakes are proof that you are trying” -- Mr. Dave

6:30 -- Flag raising/rise n’ shine -- Dellamusa/Tina 
(Special note: take this seriously today, guys. It’s the 4th for God’s sakes Show some respect. Don’t get any more grass stains on Ole Glory)

7:15 -- Breakfast. (KP -- Bear cabin)

8:30 -- Morning activity

Special events (pick one): Capture the flag; Mess Hall decorations for tonight’s 
Independance dance; Graham the Snake Man at outdoor classroom; hike with Mr. Dave up to Whitewater gap (3 mile loop -- bring WATER!)

12:00 -- Lunch. (KP -- Peanut cabin -- Bear cabin assist the tykes)

1:00 -- All-camp Scavenger Hunt. By “All”, I mean ALL!!! All counselors must attend; All campers must be present. This is teamwork, guys. Leave no man or woman behind! Anyone failing to attend the scavenger hunt will report for dinner KP and will also chaperone the dance afterward.

3:00 -- Free time. All of Tyrone’s cast members report to arts n’ crafts cabin for rehearsal.
(Special note: Lifeguards Peachman and Pugh will be setting up for dance and will not be available for duty. ALL SWIMMING IS CANCELLED FOR THE AFTERNOON) 

5:00 -- Dinner. (KP -- Wolf cabin)

6:00 -- Independance dance!!! (chaperones: Mr. Dave, Miss Nancy, Matt Harrison, Zagnuts)

9:00 -- Campfire and fireworks on quad. (Chaperones continue duty, EXCEPT for Zagnuts who will clean Mess Hall)

10:30 -- Campers return to cabins. 

11:30 -- Lights out.

Ike's Protest

June 2nd, 1985

Dear God,

  Well -- once again! -- I asked you for strength and guidance, and you came through in droves! This bible study I started up has been going so strong. Currently, I have about 15 regular members staying after dinner in the Mess Hall every night to read scripture and pray with me. It’s become so well known through the camp that, the last three mornings, Mr. Dave has listed it as an official Camp Silver Bear event on the Activities Kiosk! We even have a name for ourselves: “The Holy Rollers”! And boy is it diverse. I have at least two campers from every age group. Funny, I notice the numbers trickle off the older they get. See God, I have six Peanuts (that’s ages 6-8), but only two Bears (those are the 13-15 year-olds). It definitely seems as if your Word is more likely to fall on deaf ears the older we get, and my goal is to reach out to these older campers who, in all their secular temptations, need you now more than ever. Please give me strength as they are older and bigger than me, and some of the girls in their cut-off shorts seem as though they may tempt me right off the deep end! 
  And also give me strength, Lord, as I’m afraid an unholy agenda has made itself present in the righteous circle of my bible study. Last night, our eyes were closed in prayer when we all whiffed Satan’s foul stench around us. We looked up to see one of the counselors, Zagnuts Hedgrew, squat down next to us. He had come straight from cleaning all the bathrooms in the camp -- due to some punishment Mr. Dave had given him for acting out in town the other night -- and decided to intrude upon us for what he claimed was “a need to be saved”. I’m not buying it one bit. I know all he really wants is to get closer to Samantha Pugh, the lone counselor in my group. Can you believe he actually threatened to get me on kitchen duty the rest of the summer if I didn’t tell him what she likes to pray for?! Oh well. I suppose I should look at it as an opportunity, like Brother Rick is always telling me. He definitely needs to be saved, even if he doesn’t believe it himself. And plus I’m pretty sure he’ll pound me if I tell him the truth -- that Sam’s real interest seems to be Mr. Dave.
  Anyway, I’ve got to go now. I’ve cooked up a little after hours assignment for The Holy Rollers. It seems the bus driver Matt rented a couple videos from a friend of his while he was in town and he’s showing them to impressionable kids in the mess hall tonight. I heard one of them is some animated movie called “Heavy Metal” and there’s graphic sex. How dare use the holy medium of cartoons to corrupt kids minds like that?! Anyway, we’re going to go do a peaceful protest by sitting in the back and having a bible study while the movie’s going on. Let the people choose what’s better for their souls: Satan's finger, or praying to the Almighty Creator. Give me strength, Lord Jesus.
  In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Stevie Fellberg - 13

July 2nd, 1985

  Dave's a dick. Seriously. From the way he wears those jeans that show off his weiner down to the way he just plain acts--he's a dick. Rudy's a dick, too. All he does is stare at chicks all day. Today, some kids tossed me off the dock and I can't swim. What does Rudy do? He's too busy rubbing up against some big-boobed girl while I was swallowing lake water! It DID end up kinda cool, cause Sam jumped in and grabbed me. As we were splashing around, I totally grabbed her boobies. Not sure if she noticed, but she kept saying it better not be a joke and she wasn't going to give me CPR. Anyways, by the time I got out, I gave Rudy an "eat shit" look. He saw it and wasn't too pleased but fuck him. Dick.
  Now, Dave?? He hears about it and orders me to take swimming lessons. He doesn't reprimand that dick Rudy for rubbing his boner against that girl instead of "life guarding", he orders ME to take lessons. In order to "save myself" in the future and to be "more of a jr. man". I'll give him "JR." man-- I'm ALL man. Had my bar mitzvah earlier this year to prove it. Dicks.

"Mr. Tay" Tyrone Theodore Banks III -Camp Silver Bear Arts Instructor - 22

1 July 1985

  Ooh Wee! Sweet Georgia Brown, do I have my work cut out for me! I can see this show so clearly in my mind, but Lord knows the other counselors don’t give two shits about Amadeus: Live and Alive, so it’s going to be up to me and those kids to pull this whole production together. It’s a good thing I’ve got all the songs ready to go, but I still have to decide if I’m going to play Salieri or the father. The kids last year loved me as Dorothy from the Wiz, but I wanna break some barriers this summer. So no white face, Tay Tay! Lord, little Jimmy Barnes was a handful today at auditions. That kid won't stop messing around with those little girls to save his life. But he may just be my perfect Mozart. Maybe I can get Dave to come in and straighten him out, ‘cause ain’t nobody straighter than Dave. And I think he has a newfound appreciation for me since I was able to drive the bus back to camp on Saturday night. I didn't drink and Dave knows he can count on my pretty ass to be there when he needs. Ooh Wee! I ain't blind, sugar! 
  And don't even get me started on the costumes! There’s just so much still to do! Calgon, take me away!

Brenda's Saturday Night

June 30th, 1985

  So, Matt and I had totally amazing sex yesterday! We did it in the camp bus while we were in town. God, he's amazing. The only thing that was a little grody was seeing Joey and Amber doing it, too. But we were all so in the moment that I think it's okay. Like, that's what adults do, you know? It'd be totally different if it were anyone else, but they're both cute so it wasn't such a big deal.
  After that, we smoked a joint and Matt took everyone to the bar he had told me about. Everyone got to drink! It was totally rad! Then we all danced for, like, two hours. Tyrone's dancing is so fresh. The whole dance floor surrounded him and just watched as he breakdanced. The most amazing thing, though, is when the band invited him on stage. It was awesome to the max! Tyrone sang a bunch of funky James Brown songs and the whole bar was dancing. Then Zagnuts got on stage to dance and fell right into the drum set! The band tried to help him up, but he ralphed all over one of the guitars. Gag me with a spoon. That's when we all had to run out before they tried to fuck with us.
  Needless to say, Dave is pissed. He said he might not let any of us go on the next Townie weekend. And he's totally pissed at Zagnuts. The dork has to clean up the bathrooms for the rest of summer! Thank God, I didn't want to have to clean them with these kids using them now. Grody to the max.

Joey's Saturday Night

June 30th, 1985

  What a night! Damn, I've got such a fucking hangover. We went into town yesterday and by the end of the night there was so much porking going on I thought we were on a farm! Yesterday started boring as hell because there's nothing to do in that shitville. No mall and no arcade, nothing. I scored some bud from Rudy's friend Nick and then me and Amber got stoned. Everybody had some, even Zagnuts toked! What a dweebo. I don't know how much he's smoked before, but he couldn't handle it. We went to lunch and I thought he was going to eat everything on the menu. What a fat fuck! Anyway, me and Amber snuck off behind the diner and bopped against this dumpster. Tyrone caught us and said we needed to find a better place because the town's full of crazy-ass crackers. But he wasn't mad. We went back to the bus and fucked some more. Then the craziest thing happened, Brenda and Matt the driver snuck into the bus, too, and started boinking! They didn't see us, at first, because we were way in the back. But we got so turned on watching them that we started doing it again and they saw us. But they didn't stop and neither did we! We all just watched each other. It was awesome!
  By the end of the night, we were all at some redneck bar that Matt took us to. It was so rad because they sold us beer. Gnarly! I got wasted and couldn't find Amber, at first. Then I saw her sneak off with Matt. That's cool. I've got my eyes on Brenda, now that she knows how I fuck. The bar got bodacious and rowdy. A damn good time until Zagnuts threw up on the band! I laughed my ass off and then we all had to split when the rednecks started chasing us out!
  The hangover's bad, but the night was bad-to-the-bone!

The Hopestown Journal - Thursday, June 21st, 1979

Thursday, June 21st, 1979

No Trace of Killers
by Charles Lewis

  Since the grisly Silver Bear Lake Murders nearly three weeks ago, authorities are still baffled by the lack of leads in the investigation. The absence of motives and a damaged crime scene are the main reasons why, today, the Hopestown Sheriff's Office issued a one-thousand dollar reward to any individual that had solid information about the killings.
  John and Dorothy Chambers, along with their two young children, Cindy and Alan, were found slaughtered in a brushy area close to the Vandez Bridge in the northeast section of Silver Bear Lake. Coroner's reports concluded that all four bodies were severely mutilated before death, indicating extreme torture of the family. A memorial for the slain family was held last week at the Brownsville Recreation Center.

The Hopestown Journal - Wednesday, June 6th, 1979

Wednesday, June 6th, 1979

Search for Killers Continues
By Charles Lewis

  Local authorities continue their search for the perpetrator or perpetrators of Sunday's multiple-murder at Lake Silver Bear. No new information has been released on possible suspects, but the identities of the victims have. The four bodies found have been identified as John and Dorothy Chambers of Brownsville, and their two young children, Cindy and Alan. Few details of the murders are known, but sources close to the investigation say two of the bodies were found hanging from a tree, upside down. The other two bodies were discovered on the ground below. Sources have also confirmed that all four bodies were found stripped naked. Earlier this week, Sheriff Miller Dansby issued a town-wide curfew of eight o'clock. Dansby released a statement today that Camp Silver Bear will continue to be shut down as the investigation continues.

Zagnuts Preys

June 28th, 1985

  God, I HATE running! Today’s duties list Dave put out had me reffing the Capture the Flag game. I told him I couldn’t do it, and when he asked me why I said ‘cause I’m 250 pounds and hypoglycemic -- that’s why! He told me my parents never notified him about anything, and I guess he had a point there. Still -- he can’t rely on my self-diagnosis? What a dick! It was the worst damn thirty minutes of my life. Everyone got all mad at me ‘cause I couldn’t keep up with the action on the field, and I finally got so frustrated that I walked away and handed the score sheet to some kid camper that just happened to be spectating so that now he could ref. “Come back here, Zag Ass!” They kept saying. It was humiliating. But I didn’t pay em’ no mind. I had bigger fish to fry.
  I’ve nailed a couple prospects for my little summer project. Well, not nailed them -- but you know what I mean. There’s that Brenda chick who I hear’s a real loose skirt. Walt the Maintenance Guy says he’s seen her early in the morning run out to the shower room in just her bra and panties. No robe or anything! She’ll probably go if given the right prompting. Then there’s this other councilor, Sam. Real sweet smile, great laugh, and a totally pork-able body. She seems to hang around Rudy the lifeguard a lot, but I don’t think they do anything. Plus I heard she made out with one of the campers the other day by the lake; she’s gotta be desperate for some pole! I noticed she’s joined that bible study Ike Hollis -- one of my campers -- has set up in the Mess Hall after dinner, so she fits my Jesus Freak criteria. I enlisted him this morning before the Capture the Flag game to find out a little bit more about her situation -- like what she prays for and shit. He said it wouldn’t be ethical, but I also let him know I could pull some strings and get him on KP for the rest of the summer. He said he’d see what he could do. I hope it's today because it's the weekend and we've got our town trip tomorrow.  Zagnuts is gonna hit sackville! Only thing that sucks is that this Sam chick has the same name as my brother, so that may be a little weird. But I won’t let it stop me.

"Rude" Awakening

6/27/85

Fuck Dellamussa. That punk got to Amber before I even had a chance. I had it all planned out that I was gonna get her toasted and nail her on the camp bus when we go to town on Saturday. Now she's on his wad! I thought Joey D was after Tina, so I helped him score some bud from Nick. Big mistake! Now my only hope for porksville is this chick Sam I’m on lake patrol with. She’s no Amber (and really no Tina!) but she’s cool. I got her with a prank and she slapped the shit outta me, but laughed afterward. Excellent smile. Bet she flosses. I’m going to take her into town and maybe see if Nick will let us get it on in his van or something. Man, I need it bad!

Dave Has An Understanding

June 27th, 1985

  Tomorrow marks the end of the first full week. Damn proud of these guys for all of the work they've put in. Of course, they've got to get ahold of their hormones. They're teenagers, I understand. Nancy keeps telling me to take it easy, but I can't have the campers discovering them in each other's pants. We'd be shut down, or worse, and I've worked too hard and sacrificed a lot to get this beautiful place working again. Good thing is they all have a day in town on Saturday. Gives them a chance to recharge and release. I hope they get it all out of their systems because they won't get another chance for three weeks.
  I complain, but the reality is these guys are doing a fantastic job and I do need to try and take Nancy's advice. I'm glad she's here. And I'm glad she brought that grass. DH

Sarah's Fun Teacher

June 26th, 1985

Dear Mom,
  I know this is the second time I'm writing to you in a week, but I still hate it here. It's hot and dirty and all of the classes are dumb. But I do like the arts and crafts classes. Our teacher is Mr. Tyrone, but he tells us to call him Mr. Tay. He is really really funny. He keeps calling everyone sugar and he always wears big, shiny rings and neon yellow sunglasses. Even inside! Mr. Tay doesn't make us build the usual camp stuff like baskets or birdhouses. In his classes, we're making colored sashes and glittery shoulder pads. Mr. Tay is also the director of the midsummer play and he says we are doing something called Allmendayus, or something like that. He told us s to forget what we know about it because he wrote music for it. Mr. Tay is having auditions next week! You know how much I want to be in a musical! I still hate it here, but it's getting a little better.
                         Love,
                            Sarah xxoo

Sam and Rudy, Lifeguard Duty

June 26th, 1985

Dear Diary,
  Today was just so much fun with the campers. It's been a week since they arrived and time has flown! So far this week, I've been on lifeguard duty with Rudy. He's not as bad as the others make him out to be, just a little rough. He's actually really funny. Today, one of the kids fell off the dock into the lake and I had to rescue him. It was Jimmy Barnes and when I got him out, I thought he wasn't breathing so I gave him mouth-to-mouth. The little brat started frenching me! I saw Rudy laughing and he confessed he set the whole thing up. I was so mad at first, but Rudy kept smiling and then I couldn't help but laugh. The rest of the day flew by after that. Rudy knows some places in town, so I think we'll have some fun when we all go this weekend. Of course, it'd be more fun if Dave were going, but he's staying with some of the head counselors to watch the campers.

Nancy's Pep Talk

6/25/85

Hey babe,
  Dave has GOT to relax. He's been so uptight the past two days ever since he caught Joey and Amber balling. I told him to take it easy with those two, they're just teenagers. Full of raging hormones. Last night, we smoked and then he told me what was really the matter. He's worried about this place. I guess, the past two times that someone has tried to reopen the camp, vandals have set fires and smashed equipment. It seems some of the townies didn't want it to open up again. Maybe nobody wanted to lose money on Silver Bear, so they just gave up on it. I think Dave's afraid it's going to happen again if townies stumble on counselors having sex in the woods. I told him he was too paranoid, there was no need to worry and we just need to make sure everyone has sex in their cabins. Starting with us. He loosened up after I said that.
  Strange thing, though...I did have this weird feeling that we were being watched down by the lake. Here I am getting paranoid. It was probably one of the counselors. Zagnuts.

Matt Harrison - Hopestown Townie, Silver Bear Bus Driver - 19

6/25/85

Pretty awesome deal. I'm so glad I don’t have to stay in town with my step-dad all summer and all I had to do was drive a bus. I laid on the strings with Mr. Dave -- told him what was going on with my “home” situation, and he ended up putting me up in one of the bunks with the kids and a couple counselors. I just gotta give the little animals rides to the river every now and then for their rafting, and also go back to town for supplies when they need ‘em -- which is super rad ‘cause I’m already running low on grow and I’ve played out my new Stryper. You might think being stuck in a hot cabin with a bunch of filthy, shitting pre-teens all summer might suck a fatty, but actually, so far it’s been great! These kids are gnarly! One of them snorted a couple lines of a Bug Juice powder packet on a dare and got so hopped up from the shock that he punched a window. Goddamn, the blood was everywhere. He’s okay, though -- everyone clapped and lifted him up high when he came back from the Nurse with a bandage up to his elbow. This kid's pretty fresh. His name’s Jimmy and I gave him one of my Fangorias as a reward. I’ll probably get horizontal with that Brenda chick. She seems pretty interested, but not interesting--a real Joanie, so I won’t get involved. That’s the only thing that sucks a chub at this place. All these girls are all busy during the day with their classes, and at night Mr. Dave is so in on their business I wouldn’t be surprised if he spends all night watching the camp on closed-circuit TV. Couple of nights ago, he caught that Joey and Amber chick down at the lake, but to be fair Amber was screamin like a stuck pig so you can’t blame the head man for being intrusive. I think it’d be wrong anyway to go for Brenda at this camp -- or any of the girls, for that matter -- bein that Mr. Dave’s helping me out and giving me a place to stay and all. So I’ll probably wait for the counselors’ retreat to town this weekend. I’ll be drivin the bus and I’m sure I can get my buddy Gary who works at the Sunset Video to leave the stockroom keys for me. That’s where I’ll boink her.

Joey And Some Missing Undies

June 24th, 1985

  Man, Dave caught me and Amber bopping last night! So bogus. I've been talking to her the last day or two, just having a few laughs between camp classes and stuff. She let me know she was available, so I didn't waste time. We snuck off during the campfire and went to the lake. We started kissing and her mouth was like an animal. She bit me a hundred times! Then, she starts taking off her clothes. Butt naked! Then she runs into the water. Can you believe it?? She tells me to join her, so I do and take off my clothes. We splash around a little bit then swim over to the dock. This babe is major. The way the moonlight hit her body, I had a major boner. I just got on top of her and started porking. She was really into it, too. Then after a few minutes, we hear Dave screaming at us. We look up and there's Dave and Nancy staring at us, pissed off. He tells us to get our clothes on and to never go back to the lake without the group. I think he was more angry that we were at the dock than for us fucking. Live another day.
  Weird thing, we couldn't find our underwear. Amber's bra and panties and my underwear were missing. Dave swears he didn't take them. I bet Zagnuts was watching us and stole them. Pervert.

Zagnuts Hatches a Plan

June 23rd, 1985

Only two weeks in and I’ve stagnated. Most of the fun and promise of the summer has just seemed to, I don’t know….dry up. The last real fun I had was at the campfire when I scared all the girls with that blood on my face. I definitely developed a reputation after that as a master prankster, but I haven’t really followed up on it since then and things just seem to get deader out here by the minute. I guess it’s the kids. All the fun seemed to go right into the toilet as soon as that first bus got out here from the city. Plus the little shits broke into my candy stash and spanked all over my ONLY “Penthouse”. The pages are all sticky now and it’s useless goddammit! I’m gonna have to give these turds some instruction in how you don’t spank all over future spank sessions. Which brings me to something that’s been on my mind a lot lately. This is my last year at camp. And since I don’t have the grades to go to some university, my best bet is community college and living with my parents next summer. With those odds, the next few weeks will likely be my best chance to get ass in…well, maybe forever… This really scares me because I want a kid someday. And to my way of thinking, this summer may be my last best chance. Don’t ask me about how I’m going to provide for the tyke, or even who the girl is that’s gonna give him to me (probably a Jesus freak ‘cause they stay pregnant). Anyway, all I know is that it may be on the immediate agenda for me to make a baby Zagnuts. If not now, when? Right? I haven’t made up my mind just yet about this, but Joey said I could probably buy some condoms from Just Nick Nick. Then, I can punch some holes in them. I’m sure once the girl knows what’s what and how sweet my intentions, she’ll come around.

Ike's New Friend (June '85)

Dear God,
  I don’t understand what you must’ve been going through the day you made humidity. Did you have a fight with someone? Were you in a bad mood? Every time I walk outside I hold my hand in front of my face and it’s all blurry -- like some kind of abstract painting! I guess it’s ok. If we didn’t have your summer humidity, we wouldn’t appreciate your chill Fall air. It’s already the fourth day of camp and I’m liking it so far. Just not loving it. Well, most of the kids here know each other already because they were going to Camp Mossytree for a few years together. So there’s a lot of inside jokes I’m not in on. I keep wondering if there’s a kid who was with them last summer who is at Camp Cross now, and he’s in the same shoes I’m in. And all the guys in youth group were totally right -- no one here seems to care about you! There’s so much cursing, and I’ve even overheard some of the counselors talking about scoring some drugs from some townie who comes down by the lake to deal. Maybe I’ll keep my eyes and ears peeled for when they go meet the guy. I keep imagining this moment when I rip out a page from Revelations and suggest they roll their drugs in this! I think I’ll write to you some more today, but not in the cabin! I’ve been sitting here on the bed while all my other bunkmates are down at the lake, and it’s hotter in here than it is out there! Plus that creepy janitor guy is in here fixing the door latch. I think his name is Walt. He just asked me who I’m writing to and I said you. He told me if I want to meet Jesus, I should follow that counselor Tina into the shower some day. Whatever that means I’m not sure. I do like that Tina, though. She has a nice smile.
  In Jesus’s name, Amen.

                  Ike