Dedication Page
My Camping Adventure
was created especially for
Thomas Allan
Parker
at the age of 4
With Love From,
Grandma and Grandpa
September
5, 2004
Page 3
It was "Old Teddy Bear," the hermit, who told {Grandpa}
the story of the mountain's treasure. Now {Grandpa} would pass the story along to {Tom}. "It's over that ridge,"
{Grandpa} told {Tom}. "We'll have to camp overnight."
Page 4
"We should check our supplies, {Tom}. We wouldn't
want to forget anything," said {Grandpa}. {Tom's} friends, {Alex, Jason, and Sam}, were there to help load the van.
Everyone was very curious about the treasure
Page 7
There was so much camping gear that {Tom, Alex, Jason, and Sam} had to get behind {Grandpa}
and push to make it all fit. Finally, the van was packed. Everyone squeezed in, and off they went. The adventure
had begun!
Page 8
It was a long day of traveling, and the children were tired. The setting sun
stirred the natural sounds of the forest. After everyone had made camp, {Jason} studied the map with {Tom}. "Look,
{Tom}, we'll go this way."
Page 11
That night, {Tom} could hear an owl hooting in the distance. He found it
very difficult to sleep. Everyone was so excited about the treasure! The snoring that was coming from {Grandpa}
didn't help matters either.
Page 12
Finally, morning came. Everyone was up early and ready to go. "We want
to be sure not to leave any trash behind, so let's clean up our campsite," ordered {Grandpa}.
"Here is some paper," said {Sam}, while ripping it up and stuffing it into the trash bag. {Tom thought that the paper
looked a lot like the map. No, it couldn't be.
Page 15
"It's a rough trail, and we'll have to go by horseback," said {Grandpa}.
"{Tom}, stay close to {Alex, Jason and Sam}."
"Don't worry, {Grandpa}. You can count on
me," said {Tom}. {Grandpa} was glad to have {Tom} with them.
Page 16
Up the mountain, the trail became narrow and winding. {Tom} was amazed
by the beautiful plant life surrounding them. Finally, everyone stopped for lunch.
"Who
has the map?" asked {Grandpa}.
"Not me," said {Tom}.
"Not me," said
{Jason}.
"Not me," said {Sam}.
"It's gone!" exclaimed {Tom}.
"How will we ever find the treasure?"
"Hmmm... " said {Grandpa}. "Perhaps I can remember
the way."
Page 19
{Grandpa} seemed confident about the way to the treasure. This made
{Tom} feel better about the lost map. "Let's catch some fish for lunch!" {Grandpa} said. {Tom, Alex, Jason and Sam}
cast their lines into the clear mountain stream. {Tom} immediately hooked a big fish. It was big enough for everyone
to eat.
Page 20
While everyone helped to prepare dinner, {Grandpa} spoke to {Tom, Alex, Jason
and Sam}. "When I was a young cub like you, I met Old Teddy Bear, the hermit, out here in these very woods. I'll
tell you his story tonight after dinner." The food was served, and everyone ate until they could eat no more.
Page 23
"The old hermit told me of the mountain's great treasures many years ago. He
said that only the wisest of all of the bears would discover the treasure's true value. Tomorrow, we will travel down
the mountain stream."
Page 24
The next morning brought dew and beautiful singing birds.
{Tom} smelled the fresh, clean air as they paddled away in their canoe. {Tom} reminded everyone to put on a life jacket.
Page 27
{Alex} leaned over to get a life jacket and fell head first into
the cold mountain stream. "Help!" {Alex} cried. Everyone was alarmed. {Tom} quickly grabbed a life jacket
and threw it out to help {Alex} swim ashore.
Page 28
{Tom} helped {Alex} out of the stream and onto the grassy bank. {Grandpa} put
an arm around {Tom}. "That was quick thinking, {Tom}," said {Grandpa}. "I'm very proud of you. Next time,
we'll all remember to put on our life jackets before we get in the canoe."
Page 31
Later that day, {Grandpa} told everyone to gather around. "How much farther,
{Grandpa}?" asked {Tom}.
"We are here," {Grandpa} remarked, to everyone's surprise.
"But where's the treasure?" asked {Tom}.
"Don't you see?" said {Grandpa}. "It's all around
us, and it's been here all along. It's the natural sounds of the forest. It's in the green trees, the fresh air,
and clean water. These things are the real treasures of the mountain."
Page 32
At first, {Tom, Alex, Jason and Sam} were puzzled. Then, {Tom} realized
what {Grandpa} meant! He envisioned the old hermit telling {Grandpa} that only the wisest of all of the bears could
find the real treasure of the mountain, and he was right!
Page 35
{Tom} would always remember this special camping adventure, and he would tell
all of his friends in {Seattle Washington} about his discovery of the real treasures of the mountain.
Page 36
From that day forward, {Tom} always remembered to
respect the beauty and wonder that nature has to offer, and so should everyoneat
home.
