Most of you -- well, all of you, have heard the phrase, “This one time at band camp…” Well, I thought I would debunk all the misconceptions of my fellow band mates. There are three fallacies -- if not more -- that float around about us band kids that media has created. And these are all so wrong, it hurts!

Band camp is full of relationships and hookups.

First of all, how do people think we have time to have relationships, among other things, outside of learning drill, sectionals, and heat exhaustion? And do you think people would find clothes drenched in sweat attractive enough to pursue us? This is simply unreasonable. Most schools don’t even hold overnight camps like they do on TV, so there is no room for error in this department. The most sexual thing that happens at band camp is when insects latch on to us to suck our blood.

Freshmen always get hazed.

Again, who has time? No one does this. I know my band in high school just didn’t find the need for it. We were raised right. If anything, we get closer and nicer to the freshmen. My band director made every veteran talk to at least three rookies to make them feel at home. Everyone wants to feel included and that’s what we’re all about. No hazing.

We are socially awkward and can’t handle physical sports.

Ah, yes. The geeky band nerd who is socially awkward around other people. This could not be more wrong. Half of my band in high school was involved in other sports outside of band, including football, lacrosse, cheer, swim -- you name it, and they did it. They are pretty good at it, too. As for the socially awkward part, I know some band members who have a hard time speaking to people outside of their friend group, but for the most part, we are very social and we like to make our opinions known.

We’re just a bunch of people who are passionate about music and, for whatever reason, we come back every year for another round of heat exhaustion and sweat.