Welcome to Wellie Wisher’s outdoor adventure in camping! In this two-part class, which meets once a week for two-weeks, we will take a fun look at how the friends prepare for their camping trip and how the friends turn a disaster into a memorable camping adventure. We will explore how they learn that “good friends,” are the most important thing needed for a great time and talk about what makes a good friend. This book club will discuss and explore how each person is unique, the value of caring about others, celebrating creativity and the love of the outdoors.

Each STUDENT WILL NEED TO HAVE A COPY OF THE BOOK IN CLASS; “Willa’s Wilderness Campout,” so that we may use the book for reference as we discuss the story line. Your child may also bring their Wellie Wisher doll to class if they have one. At the end of each class we will have a “camp snack together” and students can show and tell about their doll.

The students need to PRE-READ CHAPTERS 1 & 2 BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS. Upon registration a copy of PRE/AFTER READING  questions will be sent to each student. The parent will use these question to help the student look for and think about what is taking place in the story. Also, this helps the student identify character traits such as; kind, caring, forgiving, helpful etc. This will help the student for in class discussion about empathy and compassion.

Class 1 (Students will have already read Chap. 1 & 2 before this class) We will identify what makes someone a good friend. Together as a class we will brainstorm and create a written list.  We will identify the words: empathy(understanding how others  feel) and compassion (wanting to help others). Students can give personal examples of how they have been a caring friend and what they did to help their friend. We will learn more about each friend: Willa, Kendall, Emerson, Camille and Ashlyn and what they each like about camping. We will discuss many exciting ideas from the chapter and talk about our own camping trips we have taken or want to take. At the end of class we will have a campfire snack with our dolls together so don't forget to provide your child with a fun camp-style snack!

Class 2 (Student will have already read Chap. 3-5 before this class) We will identify the misadventures that happened to each friend in these chapters and how the camping trip gets started. We will take a close look at how each friend feels when things don’t work out and how the friends work through the problems. We will discuss what it means to “put yourself in someone else’s Wellies.” In this class we will discuss how each person has different likes and gifts. We will practice using comparisons and discuss problem solving. We will look at the friend’s awareness of each other’s feelings and how they resolved their problem. At the end of class we will have a fun camp-out snack so don't forget to provide your child with a fun camp snack to have at the end of class!