Cam Jansen and the Summer Camp Mysteries by David A. Adler Page A

“
click
” when she wants to remember something. She has what people call a photographic memory. It’s as if she has a mental camera that takes pictures ofwhatever she sees. Cam says that “
click
” is the sound her camera makes.
    “When you get off the bridge, take the State Highway for fifty-four miles to exit sixty-three,” Cam said with her eyes closed. “Follow Millard Fillmore Road to the camp entrance.”
    Eric blinked his eyes. “
Click! Click
!” he said. “Cam’s camera will get us there!”
    When Cam was younger, people called her Jennifer, her real name. But when they found out about her amazing memory, they called her “The Camera.” Soon “The Camera” became just “Cam.”
    “Look at all the cows and horses,” Mrs. Jansen said as she drove. “Camp Eagle Lake is in the middle of farm country.”
    Cam opened her eyes.
    Cam, Eric, and Mr. Shelton looked out their windows. They saw lots of animals, farms, and billboards. At exit sixty-three there was a sign for Camp Eagle Lake.
    Mrs. Jansen smiled and said, “Cam, you were right.”
    She turned at the exit and followed the signs to the camp.
    There was a line of cars waiting to get in.
    “You know, we can’t stay long,” Mrs. Jansen told Cam and Eric while they waited.
    “The camp director sent us a schedule,” Mr. Shelton added. “Your groups will meet on the baseball field. We’ll go there with you. Then we’ll go with you to your bunks to help you unpack. You’ll get ready for lunch and we’ll go home.”
    One by one the cars stopped at the entrance, the drivers spoke to someone sitting in a booth, and the cars entered the camp. Soon it was Mrs. Jansen’s turn. She lowered her window.
    Mrs. Jansen told the old man in the booth, “Our children Jennifer Jansen and Eric Shelton are campers here.”
    The man wore a HELLO MY NAME IS BARRY sticker on his shirt.
    “They should have name tags like mine,” he said. “Please, have them put on their tags.”

    Cam and Eric put on their tags. Barry checked their names on a list. Then he smiled and said, “Jennifer and Eric, welcome to Camp Eagle Lake. You’re the last campers to arrive.”
    Barry told Mrs. Jansen to park in the visitors’ parking area along the side of the road. “After you’ve parked,” he said, “walk down the road to the large baseball field in the center of camp. The children are gathering there.”
    Mrs. Jansen found a tight spot by a big tree near the very front of the visitors’ lot. Mr. Shelton got out of the car first. He walked ahead to look for the baseball field.
    Mrs. Jansen stood by her car. “Look at all the trees. It’s so green and quiet here,” she said, and took a deep breath. “The air is so fresh.”
    Cam smiled.
    “There are lots of fields and tennis courts,” Mr. Shelton said when he came back. “This road goes right through thecenter of the camp. We just have to walk along it to get to the baseball field. And there’s a locked box for Cam’s and Eric’s spending and snack money. They won’t have to worry about losing it.”

    He led them down the road to a large blue metal box. Taped to the top of it was a sign: PLACE SNACK MONEY HERE. Beneath that, in smaller print, were instructions:
Putmoney in an envelope. Write your child’s name and bunk number on the front. Seal the envelope and deposit it here
.
    Next to the box was a stack of envelopes.
    Cam and Eric followed the instructions. They put their envelopes through the flap in the front of the box. Then they all went back to the car. Mrs. Jansen opened the trunk. Mr. Shelton took out Eric’s suitcase, hockey stick, tennis racket, baseball glove, baseball bat, and a bag of books to read during rest hour. Cam just brought a suitcase, tennis racket, and books. She took her things out of the trunk.
    “Let me help,” Mrs. Jansen said.
    Cam gave her mother the tennis racket.
    “Give me something,” Mr. Shelton said to Eric. “I’ll help you.”
    “No, thank you,” Eric