Every church camp has a dog like this. A very special part of the camping experience.

He greets each camper every year
and tries to get you to scratch his ear.
He follows along where everyone goes
and gets so close he steps on your toes.
The old camp dog.

There’s one like him at every camp
who swims in the lake and comes back damp
or sometimes covered with old slimy matter
and shakes so you’re all covered with splatter.
The old camp dog.

He may be called Shep or Buddy or Dude
and as you eat he watches for food
that drops to the ground right at your feet
giving him something extra to eat.
The old camp dog.

He has more friends than most of us do.
When one group’s leaving another is due.
He must live in heaven – at least he’s convinced
and there’s no way he plans on budging an inch.
The old camp dog.