Summer Camp Mystery Read Free

that I’m here.”
    The Aldens overheard Ginny talking to Mr. Pines. “Booth, I have two strong helpers here — Henry and Jessie Alden,” she said to the boatman.
    Kim came over to Ginny. “Hi, Ginny. We still have some more trunks and duffels to get on the ferry.”
    Ginny had a different idea. “Kim, loading bags isn’t what I had in mind for you. I sent you over to welcome the new campers and make them feel at home. I’d like the Aldens to meet you. This is Kim Waters. Kim, meet Mr. Alden and his grandchildren Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. Henry and Jessie are Junior Counselors like you. Violet’s one of our overnight campers. And Benny is a day camper.”
    The girl nodded but didn’t say anything even after the Aldens said hello. Instead she turned to Ginny. “I have to finish helping Boo — I mean, Mr. Pines. I know where everything goes,” the girl said. “The new campers are still with their families.”
    “Please attend to the campers,” Ginny reminded Kim.
    Finally Kim took a whistle from her pocket and blew it. “Campers, over here! The ferry’s about to leave. Let’s move it!”
    Ginny sighed. “Gentle with the new campers, Kim. They’re nervous about leaving their families. You know what? Finish loading the luggage after all. The Aldens can help board the campers.”
    “Fine with me. That’s what I wanted to do anyway,” Kim said before heading to the ferry.
    Henry and Jessie rounded up the campers. They led them to the boat, talking to them gently so they would look forward to their ferry trip to camp.
    “Greetings, Seagulls!” Ginny began, smiling at the children gathered near the dock. “Welcome to Camp Seagull. I’m Ginny Gullen. I’m so glad to meet you at last. We have three Junior Counselors here: Henry and Jessie Alden — and that’s Kim Waters over there. Kim is a fifth-year Seagull camper. Now she’s a Junior Counselor, too. She’ll make sure your luggage gets on board safe and sound.”
    Henry and Jessie stood aside as the new and old campers said good-bye to their families.
    Ginny checked off the children’s names. “Mr. Pines is our ferry pilot. He’ll bring us out to the island. When we arrive, we’ll all gather by the flagpole in front of Evergreen Lodge. Parents and grandparents, please meet your day campers at seven-thirty tonight right here. That’s when the ferry brings them back after Flag Ceremony. Now it’s time for good-bye hugs, everyone!”
    Mr. Alden put his hand on Benny’s shoulder. “I’ll be right by the dock when the ferry comes in this evening, Benny.”
    Grandfather turned to Violet. “Enjoy your stay. If you think of your lonesome grandfather when you’re in arts and crafts, I could use another leather change purse or a new coffee mug.”
    Violet hugged Grandfather. “I’ll make you something special.”
    “And keep an eye on Henry and Jessie,” Grandfather told Violet and Benny. “Make sure they have fun. Being Junior Counselors isn’t all work.”
    “You know us, Grandfather,” Henry said. “Work is fun for us.”
    The four Aldens were the last campers to board. “ ’Bye, Grandfather,” they called out.
    Raaaangh! the horn screamed. The ferry pulled away from the dock.
    Everyone turned to wave to the families onshore.
    That’s when Jessie spotted something on the beach that wasn’t supposed to be there. She turned to Henry. “Look!” she whispered. “Our trunks are still on the beach — off to the side. See? Kim told me she’d take care of them.”
    Henry smacked his forehead. “Oh, no!”
    Jessie rolled her eyes. “Let’s not bother Ginny right now,” she whispered. “She’s busy. After all, we’re Junior Counselors. We’re supposed to know better.”
    “When we get to camp, I’ll ask Ginny if Mr. Pines can safely store our trunks tonight when he drops off the day campers,” Jessie said. “Maybe he can bring them out in the morning.”
    This was too much for Kim Waters, who overheard Jessie. “This