Summer Camp Fail
Pack! Pack!
Zip my sack.
Get in car.
Jump in back.
Yay! Yay!
On our way.
Summer camp.
Play all day.
Vroom! Vroom!
Beep-Beep. BOOM!
Fender bender
as we zoom.
Cramp! Cramp!
Screech to camp.
Spilt my drink.
Now I’m damp.
Eew! Eew!
Need to POO!
Hurry please—
(Need a loo.)
Cheer! Cheer!
Made it here.
Cabin four—
By the pier.
Scent! Scent!
Needs to vent.
(Skunk assault!)
Pitch a tent.
Rain! Rain!
What a pain.
We’re all wet.
We complain.
Lightning! Lightning!
This is frightening!
Up all night.
Sun’s not brightening.
Mud! Mud!
Slosh in crud.
Ground is mush
Camp’s a dud.
Wheeze! Wheeze!
Start to sneeze.
Homesick now…
Call Mum. (Please?!)
Bye! Bye!
Laugh or cry?
Summer plans
have gone awry.
Tale! Tale!
Camp’s a “fail.”
Stuck in bed,
looking pale.
Summer! Summer!
Overcomer.
Back to school—
What a bummer!
Zip my sack.
Get in car.
Jump in back.
Yay! Yay!
On our way.
Summer camp.
Play all day.
Vroom! Vroom!
Beep-Beep. BOOM!
Fender bender
as we zoom.
Cramp! Cramp!
Screech to camp.
Spilt my drink.
Now I’m damp.
Eew! Eew!
Need to POO!
Hurry please—
(Need a loo.)
Cheer! Cheer!
Made it here.
Cabin four—
By the pier.
Scent! Scent!
Needs to vent.
(Skunk assault!)
Pitch a tent.
Rain! Rain!
What a pain.
We’re all wet.
We complain.
Lightning! Lightning!
This is frightening!
Up all night.
Sun’s not brightening.
Mud! Mud!
Slosh in crud.
Ground is mush
Camp’s a dud.
Wheeze! Wheeze!
Start to sneeze.
Homesick now…
Call Mum. (Please?!)
Bye! Bye!
Laugh or cry?
Summer plans
have gone awry.
Tale! Tale!
Camp’s a “fail.”
Stuck in bed,
looking pale.
Summer! Summer!
Overcomer.
Back to school—
What a bummer!
This poem is copyright (©) Michelle S Kennedy 2025
About the Writer
Michelle S Kennedy
Michelle is an American children’s picture book writer and poet, wife, mother, and interior decorator. She is a local liaison for SCBWI, a member of 12x12 Picture Book Challenge and Making Room for Rhyme Writer’s Group. She is a 2022, PB Party Finalist and her poetry for children has won several honorable mentions in various contests, including the 2022, ‘50 Precious Words Contest’. She lives in Georgia in the United States with her family, cat and a handful of hermit crabs and is currently querying agents for representation of her work.
