Valentine's Day is right around the corner. When Valentine's Day approaches many people think of romantic dinners and flowers. Not me. When Valentine's Day rolls around, know what I think of? Candy! I love Valentine candy! Give me a strawberry, cherry, lime, (any flavor will do) lollipop! I will chomp on them all day! I love chocolates, especially cream filled chocolates. Nuts are ok, but I really crave the cream filled ones. Sometimes I channel my inner Forrest Gump when I get a box of chocolates. If I pick a cream filled chocolate, life is good!

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What candy symbolizes Doublecreek? Is it lollipops or chocolates? It's neither of them. The candy of choice at Camp Doublecreek is....starbursts! I know starbursts aren't synonymous with Valentine's Day. To campers, It doesn't matter if it's Valentine's Day, Christmas, or the 4th of July.... their choice will always be starbursts! A great thing about starbursts is you know what you are getting. If you crave a mystery, a starburst isn't for you.

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If Doublecreek had a currency, it would be starbursts. When campers go on a scavenger hunt, the final clue reads, "find Joe Ray to claim your prize!" What's the prize? Starbursts! Campers answer trivia questions on the bus, help clean up, win a game, etc. The reward? Starbursts! It's amazing what campers will do for a starburst. Is it that they really do taste good? A great camp tradition? Or just the fact that it's candy!

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How did this system evolve? I really don't remember. It's in place now. No way do we change it. Our campers like it. Anyway, whoever makes starbursts would take a serious hit if we changed. I know a bag of starbursts isn't as romantic as a box of chocolates. For Camp Doublecreek, starbursts have definite advantages. They're not as messy, and they don't melt! How romantic!

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-Joe Ray