The Camper and The Counselor
on Goodreads (995)
What’s inside...
THE CAMPER AND THE COUNSELOR follows the journey of a young camper as she navigates her first summer away from home. Filled with excitement and nerves, she arrives at camp where she is met by Counselor Snitch, who is ready to show her the ropes. Through a series of adventures, friendships, and new-found independence, the camper learns the value of support and love from her counselor throughout the summer.
Age
1-4
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the main character felt when they first arrived at camp? What would you feel in their place?
What did the camper learn about friendship during their time at camp? Have you learned similar lessons with your friends?
Why is it important to try new things, even if they seem scary at first, like the characters in the book?
How did the relationship between the camper and the counselor change throughout the story? Can you think of a time when your relationship with someone grew stronger?
What was your favorite part of the adventure in the book and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a cozy reading environment and read the book together, allowing your child to express their thoughts after each chapter.
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more dynamic and engaging.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they think a character is feeling or what they might do next.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to draw a scene or a character from the book, discussing their choices as they draw.
Relate themes or situations from the book to your child’s personal experiences to help deepen their understanding and connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The story demonstrates teamwork as the camper and the counselor work together to organize a successful camp event, overcoming obstacles along the way.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: Throughout the adventure, the counselor teaches the camper about the flora and fauna, instilling a respect and appreciation for the environment.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to care for their environment, promoting activities such as recycling or gardening at home.
Example Lesson: Building Self-confidence
Explanation: The camper starts off shy and uncertain but, with encouragement from the counselor, takes on leadership roles, building confidence.
Real-World Application: This inspires children to take on new challenges without fear, boosting their self-esteem in various aspects of life.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: The story highlights moments where plans do not go as expected, teaching that mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth.
Real-World Application: Children understand that making mistakes is a part of learning and that it's important to try again, applying this mindset to their academic and personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As the camper interacts with diverse peers, they learn to understand and empathize with different perspectives.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children in developing social skills and respect for others' feelings and viewpoints, crucial for their interpersonal relationships.