Nancy smiled What kind of stuff Bean shook her head like she had so much to do that she couldn’t even begin to tell about it Nancy patted her shoulder sympathetically Finish your cereal You have to go with Mom to drop me off at camp Stop feeling sorry for me snapped Bean But Nancy had already left the room her ponytail swishing on her way to have secret big-kid fun that Bean wasn’t allowed to have Bean pushed out her chair and stood up I’m not a baby you know she yelled Five million girls in pink Girl Power 4-Ever shirts were squirming around outside the Youth Center waiting for camp to begin They hugged each other and squealed They showed each other their cell phones They sang 10
They danced They giggled They were all bouncy and happy and busy Bean stood beside her mother Unbouncy unhappy unbusy She watched as Nancy rushed to her friend Didi Once they had 11
hugged and squealed they gave each other piggyback rides Then they traded scrunchies and squealed some more Then someone blew a whistle and all fi ve million girls swarmed into the Youth Center Bye Mom called Nancy swinging her backpack over her shoulder Bye Beanie Beanie Phooey Bean turned and began to trudge home beside her mother At least she didn’t have to trudge far The Youth Center was a big shed on the edge of Monkey Park just a block and a half from Bean’s house What’s that camp about anyway Bean asked Not that she cared Her mom stopped and rattled around in her purse I’ve got a brochure in here somewhere she said Oh Here it is She pulled out a pink sheet of paper with daisies on it 12
Mind Body Strength Training Plus Our Role Models Great Women of Bean read GIRL power 4 EVER A Week of Inspiration and Fun for Girls Ages 11-14 Crafts Nature Study Drama First Aid Dance Social Skills History Hands On Learning Safe and Supportive in a Atmosphere Snacks Provided
