World War II began on September 1, 1939, and ended on September 2, 1945. The National Government announced in 1940 that it would construct a significant military establishment in Galveston County. Camp Wallace officially opened on February 1, 1941. The initial mission was as a U.S. Army Coastal Artillery Replacement Training Center (C.A.R.T.C.), giving selectees 13 weeks of basic training and then sending them out into the field to study a specialized type of army work. The purpose soon changed to an Anti-Aircraft Replacement Center at the end of 1941. It was re-structured for defense against enemy aircraft instead of defense of our coastline when bombardment by offshore naval vessels was no longer deemed a priority. In 1943 it housed its' first German Prisoners of War (P.O.W.'s). In 1944, the Army base was turned over to Naval supervision to use as a Naval Training & Distribution Center. When WWII was over, the base was then used as a Naval Separation Center from 1945 to 1946 to release veterans back into civilian life.

Riley feels like the smallest kid at sports camp. In fact, he is. He just turned eleven in April, but most kids here are twelve, and a few are even thirteen—and gigantic. It’s hard enough for a shrimp like Riley to fit in. He just doesn’t want to be the weak link as his bunk competes for the Camp Olympia Trophy. Riley knows he’s no good at strength and accuracy games like basketball and softball. But when it comes to speed and endurance events, like running and swimming, he’s better than he looks. He’s pretty sure he can place in the top ten—and bring in major trophy points—in the final mile-long swim race across Lake Surprise. But he doesn’t count on being followed by the shadow of Big Joe, the giant vicious snapping turtle of camp lore. Wasn’t that supposed to be a legend?