Photo byDuc VanonUnsplash

In the sun-washed, sweet-tea loving state of South Carolina, where the palmetto trees sway lazily in the warm breeze and the rhythm of the ocean waves serves as a lullaby, a merry band of young archers congregate. This isn't your run-of-the-mill sports team, for these are the Squinty-Eyed Squirrel Shooters (SESS), the most laugh-out-loud, rollicking archery team you've ever seen. Leading the charge is their captain, a very tall 10-year-old named Bubba Big-Foot. Bubba, with an outrageous mop of hair that flops in his eyes and feet so large they could probably rent out as surfboards, is notorious for his hilariously off-the-mark arrows. He's no William Tell, but his infectious laughter and never-give-up spirit make him the perfect leader for this quirky crew. The rest of the team is equally eccentric. There's Lily "The Lopsided" Larkspur, who always shoots with one eye closed and one foot in the air. Tommy "Tornado" Twist whirls before every shot, causing equal parts dizziness and amusement. Katie "Kangaroo" Kipper hops about enthusiastically, somehow managing to shoot arrows while mid-leap, with her fiery red pigtails bouncing around. Every Saturday, under the cotton candy skies of South Carolina, the merry band gathers. Amidst fits of giggles, the thump and twang of bows, and the occasional "Ouch, that was my foot, Bubba!" The Squinty-Eyed Squirrel Shooters continue to learn and grow, fueled by friendship, laughter, and an endless supply of cotton candy. In the heart of the Palmetto State, where the ocean breeze tickles the moss-draped oaks, magic happens every weekend with a bow, an arrow, and a healthy dose of laughter.