Sun, Rain and Depression: The life of a teenage Floridian

Chpt. 4 Crazy Stuff Right?

I'm not what you call “normal” by any means. I do a lot of crazy things that might sound dangerous at times but I am still here to tell the tale. Now understand that some of the “activities” that I will describe should not be attempted by anyone who doesn’t know what to do. Please, for your own safety, do not attempt what you are about to read! Well with that out of the way then I believe I can begin to end this tale of my life.

I am an avid writer as you can see. Ever since elementary school, I have been writing stories and essays like there is no tomorrow. What you are reading now is one of my latest works and there is more that I am working on including a story about a journey through a strange world and one about a group of high school students surviving a zombie apocalypse. More is coming so don’t you worry about this being all there is. Lots of ideas float around in my head and I will pick the very best one for the next story but I am going to wait for a while before a new story gets put into action. This is one of my many passions and I may never become a published author but if you know where to look, you will always be able to see my work.

Wow, if I build another trebuchet or catapult, I may just go insane. Yeah, I love to build things and I am thinking about becoming a mechanical engineer when Im older. I’m actually taking engineering classes in high school for that. Being on my school’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE for short) has given me a great opportunity to learn more about the field of engineering and meet actual engineer who truly make a difference in this world. The robotics team has also allowed me to continue my learning in the field of engineering. Designing, building and operating robots are a lot of fun but are quite complicated and sometimes dangerous. Dean Kamen (inventor of the segway) is the founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) which is an organization that has students compete in competitions using robots which were built by the students. I have personally been in the competitions for 3 years now and its a whole lot of fun. It takes a lot of skill, know-how and teamwork to win the crazy challenges but I love doing it and will keep doing it until i no longer can.

I do a lot of volunteer work in and all around Lakeland, sometimes even out of state. I’m going on 6 years now working at CampFire and I am not leaving anytime soon. This place is my second home. If I’m not at my house then you can surely find me at CampFire. There are things to do all year round which means that the fun never ends. I got my start during the summer going into my 6th grade year and it was my mother that introduced me to Holly Lane who is the executive director of the Sunshine Council CampFire center. She told me everything I needed to know about CampFire and how I could start right away. One of the programs that are available over the summer is called “Summer Challenge” and its daily community service events that we would go to in and around Lakeland and sometimes farther. Everyday was a new “challenge” and we would always meet new people wherever we would go. Once the summer came to an end and I was now hooked on staying at CampFire, Holly showed me the activities that go on during the year. The one I started next was called “ACES” (Advanced Camping Experts) which is a leadership development program through an outdoor setting. Its a progressive 3 year program in which you learn valuable leadership skills and learn how to pitch a tent, light a fire, use a compass and cook dinner for yourself and a group. With bi-weekly meetings at the CampFire building and 2 camping in the year, there is a lot of time to learn and perfect your skills throughout the year. I recently finished the program and now I go back and help teach the younger ones in the program. The most fun I have had so far would have to be during Halloween when CampFire builds and runs their own haunted house attraction. Every year, over 150 teen volunteers come together to build, run and take down this amazing haunt that has made over $10,000 each year. I have brought more friends to the haunted house than any other CampFire event and they all loved it.

So these are the major things I do to spend my time. These things truly make me who I am. I just want to say thank you for reading this work. I put alot into it and for all of those who got this far, thanks for sticking in there. Look for my other works if you wish to read more of my writing.

Thank you and enjoy your life to the fullest everyday.

William Connor Fitzsimmons