Becoming Cleo at Camp

By Sue Hirsch

Cleo is off to summer day camp and you're invited to join in the fun. Read along as Cleo makes a whole host of new friends, learns a ton about arts and crafts, and excels in horseback riding and archery. Of course she gains a ton of confidence in herself through these activities encouraging readers to emb

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sterncastle Publishing
• Release date: Feb 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781960120038

Book preview

Chapter 1 Cover

Chapter 1: Going to Camp

Cleo was very excited. She was so excited that she had woken up very early, dressed very quickly, and tiptoed downstairs very quietly. She was there waiting when James came into the kitchen to make their breakfast. She grinned at him and swung her feet excitedly as they dangled off the chair at the kitchen table.

Usually, James was awake before she was. Cleo was pleased with herself that she’d gotten there first this time. This summer had been full of firsts already, and it had only just begun.

She had already gotten to go to a Renaissance Faire with James. She had touched a star fish and a baby ray at the aquarium with her parents. Then she had been allowed to sleep over at a friend’s house for the first time. But those are all stories for another time.

James smiled back at her and went to the refrigerator for the eggs. He cracked some into the pan. Then added more when Daddy walked in. They all smiled at each other. Daddy started a pot of coffee.

They were being quiet because they had all decided last night that Mommy would get to sleep in today. Mommy was an Emergency Room Nurse at the big hospital down the street. She had worked a double shift this past weekend.

Nine-year-old Cleo could barely sit still on her chair. She was excited because today was the first day of summer camp. She had loved the Renaissance Faire, and it had made her brave enough to ask to go to day camp with James who happened to be a Junior Counselor at the camp.

James brought their toast, juice, and eggs to the table. Daddy brought his own plate and coffee. He sat down and ruffled Cleo’s dark hair with the hand that wasn’t holding his coffee. They ate quietly, and then headed for Daddy’s car. Daddy was going to drop them off at camp on his way to work. Mommy was going to pick them up later.

Daddy put their dishes in a sink full of hot soapy water, then opened the garage door and unlocked the car. They all got in and buckled their seat belts. Cleo loved the smell of the car. It was still quite new. The leather seats were soft and smelled warm and earthy.

Cleo leaned back happily and closed her eyes for a moment. She was surprised when a brown paper bag plopped into her lap. James had made her a lunch to eat at camp. She saw his lips quirk with a smile that he was only pretending to hide. He held his hand up for a high