From PRX, this is the Moth Radio Hour.

I'm your host, Samuel James.

This time we have stories of people walking the walk, some on their own, some with some help,

and others who, let's just say, need a little extra nudge.

We have stories of uniquely awkward situations, unrequited love, the search for beauty,

and what it's like to have a crush on a classmate when your mom is the teacher. We start with the story

from one of the Moth's Grand Slam events in Boston, where we partner with PRX and local public radio

station WBUR. Here's Kristen Lee, live at the Moth. I'm 13 years old and just said goodbye to my parents after they've dropped me off at the University

of Iowa dorms for Summer Sleepaway Genetics Camp.

I am so excited.

I'm going to stay up late talking to my roommate, hang it with friends whenever I want to,

plus we're going to learn about mitosis and meiosis and Mendel and mutations and how can this possibly not go well. When I get back up to my room, my roommate Megan has just moved in, and the first thing she says to me is, I knew you were going to be friends from the moment I saw the clothes hang in your closet. That's a little odd, but at least she likes me. And that first day, a small crew of girls' forums

around Megan and me, and I'm so excited I've already

made my friends.

The first week of camp is a paradise of biology.

We make 3D models of the double helix structure of DNA,

lining up those A's and T's and C's and Gs. We transcribe DNA sequences into RNA and translate that into amino acids and protein

structures, and I feel like we've been given the secret code of life, which we have.

I geek out over Punnet Square problem sets and mapping pedigrees, shading those circles

and squares to show how a disease is transmitted

through a family, classic summer camp activities. It's the best. I have to admit, though, I'm

getting some weird vibes from my new friends. Every morning as we walk through the university

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