This past summer, a seismic shift rocked Pine Island Camp. For decades, campers received two cherished pieces of candy during the weekly Saturday Night Show. But in 2024, Director Alex Toole boldly reduced the candy ration to just one piece. “It’s a decision I made after consulting with health experts, budget spreadsheets, and a very persuasive ant colony,” Toole explained.
The reaction was immediate and polarized. Campers, accustomed to double-fisting their sugar fix, expressed their dismay in dramatic terms. “I didn’t survive canoe capsizes and campfire smoke in my eyes just to have one entire serving of simple sugars,” complained one camper, clutching a standard bag of Skittles. Another lamented, “This is the Nanny State in action. I was watching FOX News with my uncle and I didn’t understand what they were talking about. Now, I get it!”
Meanwhile, counselors rejoiced at the reduced sugar-fueled chaos. “The energy levels after two candies were… terrifying,” said counselor Nick Newbold, recalling the time campers tried to stage an impromptu mosh pit after an extra sugary Saturday. “One piece is perfect. They still get their treat, but it doesn’t turn the tent into a circus.” Other counselors reported enjoying quieter post-show evenings, with one saying, “Honestly, this change saved my sanity. I can finally hear myself think after bedtime.”
While Candy-Gate may remain a hot topic of debate, one thing is certain: the Pine Island tradition of a sweet Saturday night is here to stay—just in slightly smaller portions. And if campers are really craving more, there’s always next week’s play. Or as Alex Toole puts it, “Hey, this is Pine Island—learning to adapt builds character!”