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**Diedre**
We arrived at Masse Moro at two, when registration began. There was already a long line to get to the security, if you could call it that. A counselor would simply check to see if you had any contraband - American books, music and candy. After waiting in line for a considerable amount of time, and all of our bags and suitcases and baskets had been searched, we set them down and chose a Norwegian name, which would be the names that everyone in camp would call us by for our stay. Once the name was chosen, a counselor would burn it onto a circle of wood that still had bark on it with a wood burning tool. The nametags were called "navn skiltes." We had to wear them at all times.
We were then assigned cabins - I was in Svalbard. I picked up my stuff, with assistance - and moved towards the cabin. It was the most secluded of the six cabins; it was surrounded by woods. Behind the cabin, there was a forested area with a path that led to two other cabins. The path had two particular roots that I tripped over nearly every time I passed by. There was a large clearing that the cabin sat in, complete with a fire pit and benches. We never used the fire pit, though. We used a different one. The next closest cabin must have been a good fifty feet off. Inside, there were still several bunks open. I chose a bottom bunk, not wanting to be on the top, and stuffed my things under the bed.
I went to the "Spisestue," the mess hall, to cash in the thirty dollars I had - mainly to spend it on candy and shirts and figures. Using the current exchange rate, I had a total of one hundred eighty kroner in the bank. Past the tables, by the kitchen window, there were drinks and cookies. Eventually, Mom and Dad left for the five hour drive back home. I wandered back to the cabin.
Almost all the girls were there, so we played name games to familiarize ourselves with each other. Every camp does this, except most don't do it in Norwegian. I was the only 'first year' in my cabin - everyone else had been there for at least once before.
For dinner, there were hamburgers. The buns were homemade, and they were absolutely delicious! All the bread served at camp was baked there, and was delicious. For activities, I rosemaled a clock, took knitting, drawing and drama. Everyone in the cabin - nine girls, including me, and the three to four counselors that resided there got along fine. Masse Moro was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed it immensely.
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