The Acorn People

I've wanted to read this book for many years and it was everything I expected it to be. This is the true story of Ron Jones' first summer camp experience after graduating from college. Camp Wiggin's was a camp for Boy Scout's. Ron envisions life at camp as hiking and camping and beach going with a bunch of rambunctious, 12-year-old, able bodied, soon-to-become-adoring-fans-of- himself, Boy Scouts.

Instead, Camp Wiggins has opened its doors to a special needs group of children. In the first chapter Ron is disillusioned, disgusted, and he's ready to go home. Soon, however, he starts connecting with the kids and surprises himself. The first day their cabin is assigned to the arts and crafts center and he and the kids make acorn necklaces. They all wear them and decide to call themselves the acorn people, thus the title of this novella. Next, they are assigned to the pool, and he and his partner Dominick just can't imagine what they will do with the kids in the pool. They are so surprised by the results of the pool trip, that they decide to break the camp schedule (and rules) and go swimming first thing the next day...with a cabin of girls!

This is a wonderful story. It helps the reader realize that kids are kids, humans are human no matter what their infirmity is. I loved it! I suggest you read it, too. It's a novella. It's only 79 pages long, but full of food for thought.