Often in a special environment like a camp, people tend to make up their own language that is only understood by those who are in that environment. Because we at Tom Sawyer Camp have "created" our own language over the years, we have put together a listing of all the unique terms and "lingo" for your enjoyment!

PC: Pre-Camp. Our program for 3-5 year olds. Pre-Camp is located at the south end of the park; pre-campers have their own swimming pool and their own string of horses. Groups are co-ed.

SDC: Summer Day Camp. Our "biggest" part of camp for 6 year olds to 10 year olds. Groups are either boys or girls.

OP: Outpost. Our program for 11-14 year olds. Groups are co-ed.

TSC ^TOO!: Our Arcadia County Park site which began in the summer of 1997. TSC ^TOO! serves 4 - 8 year olds.

FLAG: Morning and afternoon gathering for all of camp. We sing LOTS of songs, tell LOTS of stories and do other crazy activities! "Flag" takes place at the logs at both Pre-Camp, Day Camp/Outpost, and at TSC ^TOO!

THE SPORTS VAN: Our "office" at the park. An old camp van that is painted red, white and blue (how patriotic!) that carries our sports equipment, coolers, first aid supplies and lots of other fun "stuff".

WHITE HOUSE: The "office" in Pre-Camp.

THE DESERT: The area where campers explore, build forts, catch frogs, ride horses, and go on adventures that their counselors imagine! The desert is located directly east of the picnic area in Hahamongna Watershed Park.

FORTS: Secret group meeting places in the desert. Groups explore the desert, find and claim a fort, decorate it and have all kinds of adventures there.

GROUP FLAG:What groups make and hide in their forts. If one group finds the hidden flag of another group, they get a watermelon as a prize after showing their captured treasure to the camp at Flag.

TRIDS: The imaginary small people that live in the desert and park. Campers are always finding things that belong to the trids ... like eggs, candy and other crazy objects! Do you know what TRID spells backwards?

IVAN: Our "guardian" of the desert. He lives in the tower on the dam and flies above camp in a red helicopter (to which we all wave "hi"). He loves it when kids get dirty.

GARBOG: The troll who lives in the garbage cans at TSC ^TOO! He loves it when campers leave him special treats (the trash from their lunches).

TREE FAIRIES: The fairies that live in the trees at TSC ^TOO! Sometimes you can find their colorful feathers on the ground.

ONE-EYED MONSTER TUNNEL: (also known as ECHO PRINCESS in Pre-Camp). A round dark tunnel that groups walk through, looking for treasure and other things.

FROG PALACE: The area under the bridge part of the dam (west side) which is always teeming with frogs due to the water that accumulates there.

AUNT POLLY: Tom Sawyer's Aunt who took care of him as a child. Our Aunt Polly at TSC designs ands sells all types of clothing (shorts, shirts, hats, sweatshirts) and other camp goodies (camp song tapes, teddy bears, watches, etc...)

THE RIVER: The human made river that flows through day camp. The water is from the drinking fountain and water fights!

TRADING POST: When campers share food at lunchtime. Items not wanted are put in the middle of the circle and claimed by those who want them. It is a very welcome tradition to those who may have forgotten or lost their lunch!

OVERNIGHTS: One weekend each session where we spend the night camping in the mountains.

RBR: "Rose Bowl Riders" ... the area where TSC horses are kept. RBR is a club for community horse lovers.

GYMKANA: Our carnival held each session for the campers and the horses.

SWIM CARNIVAL: Our carnival held each session for the campers at the pool.

ENCHANTED FOREST: An area next to RBR where we ride horses, build obstacle courses and explore!

SC: Senior Counselor. A person who has completed at least one year of college or the equivalent and is approximately 19 plus years.

AC: Assistant Counselor. A person who has completed his/her junior or senior year of high school. Assistant counselors work in TSC ^TOO!, Pre-Camp, Outpost, with the two oldest groups in SDC, and on the horse staff.

JC: Junior Counselor. A person who is 15-16 years old. This is a volunteer position. Most JCs have been campers at TSC.

WRANGLER: A "horse" counselor.