The Acorn People

The kids begin learning a water ballet named “The Acorn Pirate,” which Mrs. Nelson directs. They spend the entire second-to-last day decorating the whole pool area to look like a South Pacific seaside location, accompanied by a pirate ship.

The campers use their last day to prepare the ballet itself. Each child is assigned the role of diver, racer, or dancer.

The campers rush to the pool to get into position before their families arrive. The guests receive leis made by female counselors, and everyone is delighted at the lively, fun scene, accustomed to more “strained” interactions or lackluster activities for children with disabilities.

Mrs. Nelson begins narrating a tale wherein Ron plays an evil pirate captain and the campers play a group of islanders, whom Ron challenges to a contest to gain their treasure in the “lagoon” (pool). The first challenge involves divers from the pirates and the islanders diving for silverware scattered at the bottom of the pool.

This “treasure” is then taken from the pool to the “temple,” where a god called “Oh La” will bless it (but only if entertained with a legendary water ballet). The kids are placed in their inner tubes and create a few shapes in the water, struggling slightly since some kids are more able to move in the water than others.