"My
Camping Adventure”
Words in red are the personalized words
"My
Camping Adventure”
was created
especially for
Seth Harrison
at the age of 6
With Love
From,
Aunt Peggy
& Uncle Bill
December 25,
2002
Page 3
It was "Old Teddy
Bear," the hermit, who told Dad the story
of the mountain's treasure. Now Dad would pass
the story along to Seth. "It's over that
ridge," Dad told Seth. "We'll have to
camp overnight."
Page 4
"We better check our
supplies, Seth. We wouldn't want to forget anything,"
said Dad. Seth's
friends, Bill, Tom and Joe, were there to help
load the van. Everyone was very curious about the treasure.
Page 7
There was so much camping
gear that Seth, Bill Tom,
and Joe had to get behind Dad 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 made camp, Bill studied
the map with Seth. "Look, Seth, we'll go this way."
Page 11
That night, Seth could hear an owl hooting in the distance. He found it very difficult to sleep. Everyone was so
excited about the treasure! The snoring coming from Dad
didn't help matters either.
Page 12
Finally, morning came, and
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 Dad.
"Here is some
paper," said Tom, while ripping it up and
stuffing it into the trash bag. Seth thought 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 Dad.
"Seth, stay close to Bill, Tom and Joe."
"Don't worry, Dad. You can count on me," said Seth. Dad was glad to
have Seth with them.
Page 16
Up the mountain, the trail
became narrow and winding. Seth was amazed at
the beautiful plant life surrounding them. Finally, everyone stopped for lunch.
"Who has the map?"
asked Dad.
"Not me," said Seth.
"Not me," said Bill.
"Not me," said Joe.
"It's gone!"
exclaimed Seth. "How will we ever find the
treasure?"
"Hmmm... " said Dad. "Perhaps I can remember the way."
Page 19
Dad seemed confident about the way to the treasure. This made Seth feel better about the lost map. "Let's catch
some fish for lunch!" Dad said. Seth, Bill, Tom and Joe
cast their lines into the clear mountain stream. Seth
immediately hooked a big fish... big enough for everyone to eat.
Page 20
While everyone helped
prepare dinner, Dad spoke to Seth, Bill, Tom and Joe.
"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 only the wisest of
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. Seth smelled the
fresh, clean air as they paddled away in their canoe. Seth
reminded everyone to put on a life jacket.
Page 27
Bill leaned over to get a life jacket and fell head first into the cold
mountain stream. "Help!" Bill cried.
Everyone was alarmed. Seth quickly grabbed a
life jacket and threw it out to help Bill swim
ashore.
Page 28
Seth helped Bill out of the stream and onto
the grassy bank. Dad put an arm around Seth. "That was quick thinking, Bill," said Dad.
"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, Dad told everyone to gather around. "How much
farther, Dad?" asked Seth. "We
are here," Dad remarked, to everyone's
surprise.
"But where's the
treasure?" asked Seth.
"Don't you see?"
said Dad. "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, Seth, Bill, Tom and Joe were
puzzled. Then, Seth realized what Dad meant! He
envisioned the old hermit telling Dad that only
the wisest of the bears could find the real treasure of the mountain... and he
was right!
Page 35
Seth would always remember this special camping adventure, and would tell
all of his friends in Arvada, Colorado about his discovery of the real treasures of the mountain.
Page 36
From that day forward, Seth always remembered to respect the beauty and
wonder that nature has to offer...and so should everyone.