Thanks for following our “CAMP QUARANTINE” Series! If you’re just joining us, you can catch up here (DIY Summer Camp) and be sure to click the follow button so you don’t miss out on 7 more posts of camp-inspired activities & fun!
Today’s post cost me nearly 50 bucks to write . . . because I kept splurging on new books for our kids! I was copying and pasting those Amazon links and I just couldn’t help it. So now our kids will have a new (used) camp-themed book to open every day of our Camp Quarantine (which we’re calling “Camp Creepy-Critters” as our son is currently obsessed with bugs). So, join me in splurging on a few new or gently used camp-themed books to read aloud each night of your DIY Summer Camp.
Make it cozy with a cup of hot cocoa, or read by firelight while roasting marshmallows, or make it spooky in a tent with a flashlight. Combine the magic of reading with the magic of Summer Camp and nature. The result will be something truly unforgettable.
Camp-Themed BOOKS for every age
~POLLYWOGS (under 6)~
Just Me and My Dad

Llama Llama Loves Camping

Froggy Goes to Camp

Curious George Goes Camping

Fred & Ted Go Camping

The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp

Berenstain Bears books hold a special place in my heart. And so many are filled with great summer fun. Other Summer Camp-themed Berenstain Bears books:
- The Bear Scouts
- Blaze the Trail
- No Girls Allowed
- Too Much Vacation
Father Bear Comes Home

~LIGHTNING BUGS (ages 6-9)~
Judy Blume and the Not Bummer Summer

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever

Like Bug Juice on a Burger

Runaway Ralph
(sequel to The Mouse & the Motorcycle)

Cam Jansen and the Summer Camp Mysteries

Trumpet of the Swan

Summer According to Humphrey
This book is currently sold out on Amazon (high demand despite the lack-luster cover!) but is readily available used from many online used books sites like this one: Abe Books Link
The Summer Camp Mystery (Boxcar Children)

~SCOUTS (ages 9-12)~
The Parent Trap

Read the original German story that inspired the Hollywood films.
Applewhites at Wit’s End

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Days

Camp (a graphic novel)

Cheesie Mack is Cool in a Duel

I Want to Go Home

How Tia Lola Saved the Summer

Read the story of a woman who creates a summer camp experience at home for her nieces and nephews! You’d think it would have been written especially for this year!
The Dangerous Book for Boys
This is book is non-fiction, and is not technically a “camp-themed” book. However, this encyclopedia-like curiosity-quencher of a book embodies the spirit of summer camp for the inquisitive boy and tom-boy. I think the gender exclusive title gives it away . . . but just to be clear: this book will most likely not appeal to girly-girls . . . it is most definitely for kids who like to muck about and those who like to explore topics like spiders, epic battles, dinosaur fossils, and how to make a bow and arrow. We read sections of this book aloud to our son, and he just loves it. He gets to taste a lot of different topics and many new interests/obsessions have been kindled by this book. Don’t try and order it on Amazon . . . unless you want to pay $900 (not kidding). But it is readily available used online for less than $10: Thriftbook Link
~RANGERS (ages 12 and up)~
*Camp-themed books for this age-range are limited. I found a few, but . . . they didn’t really seem appropriate to me for teens. No matter! Some of the books listed for the “Scouts” age group may still appeal to your older teen . . . otherwise, any great adventure book or series will work wonderfully for fun summer reading. You can find adventure as well as nature-themed books for every age on my book list here: “Isolation Blues” Bibliotherapy & Book Lists (for kids of all ages)
Follow below and stay tuned for Your Camp Quarantine Clipboard, plus seven more posts with DIY camp-inspired summer fun for the family!
I hope you and your family will join us this summer in building Camp-Inspired Heritage through experiences that are skill-strong, character-deep, and value-rich.
Love, ~Our Holistic Homeschool~
Love love love! You even gave the age groups camp team names!!!!!