Camp Wild

Christina Pike is a member of the Evaluation Division, Department of
Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Angry at his parents for forcing him to go to summer camp, 15-year-old
Wilf begins planning his escape the moment he arrives on the bus. Wilf
believes that his parents have shipped him off to Camp Wild just to get
rid of him. He figures that he can get even by running away. What Wilf
doesn’t anticipate is that two fellow campers, Charlie and Herb, want
to go with him. The trio take off by canoe, but before long things get a
little hairy. First they run out of food, then they find themselves
fighting for their lives when the river and falls prove to be a little
too rough.

Wilf’s reactions to feeling rejected by his parents and his desire
for independence are predictable for a teen. What is surprising,
however, is his parents’ reaction. Wilf’s behaviour leads them to
re-evaluate their parenting, and they begin to believe that they have
been pushing him too hard. Even more surprising is Wilf’s realization
that he needed the push.

This adventure story about finding one’s place in the world will keep
readers turning the pages. Highly recommended.