A Camp Move
A story about transition
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(C) 2009 Roberts. No parts of this book may be reproduced, copied, or saved by any means other than its original intent without expressed written permission of the author. All illustrations are copyrighted & registered by Roberts and may not be used, copied, saved, or altered by any means.
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This book is great for students who may have trouble transitioning from a camp environnment because of a family move or relocation. This book would be great for kids who do or do not have disabilities. The reading level is at about a 2nd-3rd grade level and language is made simple for all readers.
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"Mom! It's almost summer," James said. "Remember that camp I went to last year? What was it called? Oh! Camp Soaring Eagle! That was SO fun! When are you going to sign me up?"
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James' mom looked concerned. She calmly said, "No, honey. We are going to move to California. We leave before camp begins. Remember?"
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James was upset. He forgot about the family moving. He does not want to move. He wants to stay in Virginia. What about all of his friends? He felt awful.
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The next day before school, Melissa walked up to James and started talking to him about homework. Then she said, "Oh! Are you going to Camp Soaring Eagle this year? School gets out in a couple days and then camp starts! It's going to be so fun. I heard they are going to try to have horses there this year and I just LOVE the art cart!"
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Melissa kept talking about camp and asked James if he was going to go. He was angry and did not answer her. Instead, he just walked away.
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Melissa was confused. James loved camp last year. She yelled, "Where are you going?"
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James was angry all day. He really wanted to go to camp this year. When he got home, he was still upset. "Mom, I really do not want to to move! All my friends are going to camp this summer and I want to go TOO! Can't we move after camp?!"
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Mom knew that James was upset. She tried to calmly explain to him why he could not go to camp. She said, "Honey, your dad is being transferred far away this time. We are going to California. We can not tell the Marine Corps when we want to move. We just have to go when they tell us to. We will go to California and be sure to find you another camp you can go to." James tried to smile but he couldn't. He did not want to go to California. He wouldn't know anyone a different camp.
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James went to school the next day and tried to ignore Melissa. She saw him quickly, though, and asked if he did his homework. He quickly said, "No." Melissa wondered why he did not do his assignment. He was such a good student. When she asked him he shouted, "I am moving in a week! Who cares!"
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Melissa did not look surprised. She would also be moving in October. She quickly realized, though, that James would not be able to go to camp. She could see that he was angry, and she had an idea.
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When James got to his classroom, his teacher, Ms. Bliss, came over to talk to him. She heard James yelling at Melissa on the playground and wanted to talk to him about it. She quietly talked to him about what happened and about how he was feeling. James told Ms. Bliss that he did not want to move and that he was sad about having to miss camp his year.
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Ms. Bliss explained that James is allowed to be upset. She said, "It is ok to feel mad and sad and angry..but Melissa is your friend. How do you think Melissa felt when you yelled at her?" James knew that he did not make a good choice, but he did not know what to say to her. James' teacher helped him to practice some things he could say. He was sorry and he had to tell Melissa.
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James needed to think of a way to apologize to Melissa. He went home after school to think and then heard a knock on the door.
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Melissa was at the door! James did not know, but she had gone right home from school that day and asked her mom to help her on the computer. She needed to use the internet and needed some help. She came to James' house and was holding a gift! Inside the wrapped box was a packet of paperwork. When James looked carefully at the paperwork, he realized what a good friend Melissa was to him.
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Inside the box was a listing of all camps in California. Melissa was careful and searched for camps for kids thier age, and included all the things that James liked to do. James was so appreciative that Melissa would spend her time to help him. He said, "Thank you, Melissa. I have been wanting to talk to you. I am sorry I have been so moody lately. I know that is is ok to feel upset but I should not have yelled at you." Melissa smiled. "I am excited to look through these papers and find a perfect camp for me in California. But...I will miss you." Melissa smiled again and gave James a hug. She said, "Maybe our moms can teach us how to use email and we can keep in touch that way." James agreed, "That's a great idea!" The friends spent the rest of the week together.
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References/Resources
www.toondoo.com
www.cast.org
Johnston, L., Lawrence, B.A., Carpenter, L.B. (2007). Assistive technology: Access for all students. Pearson: New Jersey.
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