The Summer Camp Survival Guide

Gr 4—6—Attending camp for the first time can be a little frightening. This book is packed with useful and practical information to help first-timers and their parents feel more at ease. The authors begin with a parents' section that focuses on choosing a safe and appropriate camp. The rest of the book is targeted at children who may be nervous about the experience. Pallatto and DeFazio discuss a wide range of topics including kinds of camps, what to pack, living quarters, camp staff, dealing with homesickness, and safety. There are also creative ideas for skits, games, crafts, and songs. The writing is informal and encouraging. The book is illustrated with green and orange borders, informal fonts, and line drawings that match the upbeat tone of the text. Unfortunately, it is spiral bound, has tear-out postcards and blank pages for notes and autographs, limiting its use in libraries. Cherie Winner's Kids Gone Campin' (Creative Publishers International, 2006) has good information about camping skills in general, but has nothing about games, songs, or crafts. The old standard, Jane Drake and Ann Love's The Kids Campfire Book (Kids Can, 1998), is full of great ideas for campfire games and activities. Unfortunately, neither of these alternatives deals specifically with summer camps.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT