Summer At Camp Floridian (eBook)

Nancy B. Miller (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2019 | 1. Auflage
246 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
978-1-5439-6477-6 (ISBN)

Infos

A Summer at Camp Floridian provides insight into life at a coed summer camp as seen through the eyes of Susan Grant, a first year counselor. Susan soon learns she's dealing with five distinct ten-year-olds with different personalities and needs. Donna is homesick while Janie is shy. Ann's passion is sketching. Micky, the experienced camper, vies with Lynn, a spoiled brat, for bunk leadership. How can she handle these youngsters' problems and form them into one compatible unit in eight weeks? How does she foster the character of these youngsters? How does her own character grow during the summer? Does she devote all of her time to her girls or spend part of it establishing a lasting relationship with Jerry Martin, the waterfront director. In the midst of everything, how does she handle another counselor's vicious jealousy over her relationship with Jerry? A Summer at Camp Floridian covers daily activities, Visitors Day, the prom, the banquet, an overnight, the play, and more. For the romantic touch, Susan has dates with Jerry. Danger strikes when a snake bites one camper; and, another later goes missing. For counselors, it's a how-to guide, in fictional form, on solving the most common problems of children at camp. Youngsters will learn what to expect regarding a camp's daily activities and special events. For parents and grandparents, memories of camp will be revived. It's ideal for parents and grandparents who want to give children a book without profanity, sex, violence, or werewolves.

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A Summer at Camp Floridian provides insight into life at a coed summer camp as seen through the eyes of Susan Grant, a first year counselor. Susan soon learns she's dealing with five distinct ten-year-olds with different personalities and needs. Donna is homesick while Janie is shy. Ann's passion is sketching. Micky, the experienced camper, vies with Lynn, a spoiled brat, for bunk leadership. How can she handle these youngsters' problems and form them into one compatible unit in eight weeks? How does she foster the character of these youngsters? How does her own character grow during the summer? Does she devote all her of her time to her girls or spend part of it establishing a lasting relationship with Jerry Martin, the waterfront director? In the midst of everything, how does she handle another counselor's vicious jealousy over her relationship with Jerry?A Summer at Camp Floridian covers daily activities, Visitors Day, the prom, the banquet, an overnight, the play and more. For the romantic touch, Susan has dates with Jerry. Danger strikes when a snake bites one camper; and, another later goes missing. For counselors, it's a how-to guide, in fictional form, on solving the most common problems of children at camp. Youngsters will learn what to expect regarding a camp's daily activities and special events. For parents and grandparents, memories of camp will be revived. It's ideal for parents and grandparents who want to give children a novel without profanity, sex, violence, or werewolves.

Textauszug

Chapter Two

Train Trip to Leesburg

Susan, having rested during the night at home, had her parents drive her to the train Sunday morning. She remained very quiet as she anxiously awaited meeting her campers and silently reviewed information she had received on them earlier in the week.

“You’re pleased with Camp Floridian, aren’t you, Susan?” her father inquired while on their way to the station.

“So far, it’s fine. I like Mrs. Warren, and the staff looks great. I just hope I can handle the responsibility of five campers. I’m a little worried.”

“I don’t think you should be, honey,” her mother assured her. “From what you told us, it appears to be an excellent camp. All you need is some confidence. You’ll do fine. Just remember how eager you were for this job when you went for your interview.”

“I guess you’re right, Mom. I’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

“We would like to receive some mail from you occasionally, so please write when you get a chance,” Mrs. Grant requested.

“Sure, Mother. Well, we’re here. I’ll see you in eight weeks. I’d better hurry and meet my campers.” Susan kissed her parents, waved a quick goodbye as they drove away, and rushed into the station to where a Camp Floridian banner hung on the wall.

Some parents gave reminders to their children. Others wondered what a summer of peace and quiet away from their youngsters would be like. Excited and expectant children said “Hi’s” to other campers and their final goodbyes to parents and friends who saw them off.

At the depot, campers had been sorted into age groups. They eagerly awaited the train to Leesburg, the stop nearest Camp Floridian. From there, they would pile into Camp Floridian’s yellow school buses to take them the last nineteen miles of their long journey.

Aboard the train, Susan gathered those from her cabin together. “Hi, kids, I’m Susan Grant. I’m your counselor this summer. We’re all in Bunk 6.”

“Aw, we know your name. I’m Michele Reiner. Nobody calls me that. Hardly ever anyhow,” announced a girl with pigtails.

“What do they call you?” inquired Susan.

“Micky,” she responded, her green eyes staring at Susan. She was tall, had a pug nose, and freckles.

“I’m Lynn Kingston. I don’t like camp.” A voice came from the corner.

Susan looked over at her. The youngster did not seem ten but about twelve. Long, straight blonde hair descending down the child’s back was her prominent feature. “Well, Lynn, we’ll make sure you have fun anyway,” Susan answered.

“Sure,” sneered Lynn. “You do that.” She gave Susan a look of disgust and returned to reading a teen magazine.

Susan paused for a second and thought, “I sure hope we don’t have trouble with her.”

“I’m Ann,” piped up a youngster, tall and thin with short, cropped black hair with heavy bangs, and very dark brown eyes. A sketchbook lay on the seat next to her. She busied herself with watching scenery.

Susan walked over to a small youngster who appeared about eight-years old. “What’s your name?” she asked, sitting beside the camper.

“Who me?” came a startled voice.

“Yes, you,” Susan said pleasantly.

“Janie.”

The child had medium length, brown hair; small features, and blue eyes. She was very tiny, very serious, and seemed very frightened.

Susan speculated that she hadn’t been away from home before. “Janie, is this your first year at summer camp?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Wait until you see the horses and the lake. You’ll have lots of fun. There’s always so much to do at camp. I’ll bet you’ll have a great time,” Susan said, smiling at her camper. “Why don’t you join the others a few seats in back of you?”

She guided her over to where Micky sat. Perhaps, Micky could make Janie feel at ease. She remembered Micky was the only one of the five who had attended Camp Floridian before.

Also sitting by herself was a short, fairly heavy child. She slumped in her seat watching the others. The youngster had a straight nose, mousy brown hair, and wore glasses. She, like the others, dressed in the uniform of a white Camp Floridian T-shirt and navy blue shorts. She seemed very tense and uncomfortable.

“I’ll bet you’re Donna. Am I right?” Susan smiled.

“Uh huh, I’m Donna. You’re our counselor?”

“I sure am,” said Susan, sitting next to the child.

Donna returned to watching scenery while Susan mentally reviewed, for the second time that day, information in the camper files. She remembered Micky was the experienced camper as she had attended Camp Floridian last year. She had actively participated in all activities except those at the waterfront and resisted all efforts to get her to join in swimming classes. According to her mother, she was terrified of the water due to Micky, at age four, having seen a toddler, who almost wasn’t saved, tumble into a pool. Her mother had written that this year Micky must overcome her fear of water and learn how to swim.

Susan thought Micky could be the one to make the others feel comfortable as well as answer questions about camp. Gazing at the child, she noticed how calm and composed Micky was and how she made an effort to make Janie feel at ease.

Ann stared at scenery and busily sketched in her sketchbook. Susan remembered Ann’s mother was an artist and had specifically stated that Ann must be allowed plenty of time for her artwork. “Well,” observed Susan, “it seems she’s taking her mother’s advice seriously.” She smiled and shook her head.

Janie appeared to reject Micky’s friendliness. She pulled out a pack of comic books and started reading. Micky walked over to Susan.

“I tried to talk to her. I guess she wants to be quiet. Anyhow, she wants to read. Can I join you?”

“Take a seat,” replied Susan.

“Why don’t we start some games?” coaxed Micky. “That’s what we did last year on the train. It made the trip go faster.”

“That’s a great idea. All right, girls, let’s play some games. Any suggestions?”

“Buzz,” said Micky.

“Fine. Janie, would you like to be the leader?” inquired Susan.

“No, I’m not interested. I want to read.”

Susan nodded. “All right. Maybe you’ll join us later.”

She recruited campers from other cabin groups, appointed a leader, and started the game. The girls participated enthusiastically for about an hour. Soon it was lunch time.

“Girls, I’m giving each of you two sandwiches. Today we have bologna and cheese as well as peanut butter and jelly.”

“I want a peanut butter and jelly.” “Me, too.” “Let me have a bologna sandwich.” “Is that all you have?” were assorted replies to Susan’s announcement.

“Everyone, quiet down. You get one of each,” proclaimed Susan.

“Can we trade?” asked Micky.

“Sure.” She handed out sandwiches, cartons of milk, apples, and potato chips. The campers eagerly munched away. Although the trip was tiresome, they were still hungry.

After everyone finished eating, Susan requested, “Please pick up your trash and put it in the box when I bring it around.”

Most of the girls followed her order. However, Lynn carelessly dropped her sandwich wrapper on the floor.

“Lynn, please pick up your paper,” Susan requested.

Lynn looked disgusted at her counselor. “Why should I? You’re not my mother. You can’t order me around.”

“Because...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 18.4.2019
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Sport
• ISBN-10: 1-5439-6477-X / 154396477X
• ISBN-13: 978-1-5439-6477-6 / 9781543964776