#24 in Goosebumps Series
The Curse of Camp Cold Lake
on Goodreads (6,915)
What’s inside...
Sarah hates Camp Cold Lake. The lake is gross and slimy. And she's having a little trouble with her bunkmates. They hate her. So, Sarah comes up with a plan. She'll pretend to drown - then everyone will feel sorry for her. But things don't go exactly the way Sarah planned. Because down by the cold, dark lake someone is watching her. Stalking her. Someone with pale blue eyes. And a see-through body.
Discussion points
How did Sarah’s feelings change throughout the story and what caused those changes?
What would you do if you were in Sarah's position at camp?
Why do you think the ghost wanted Sarah to be her friend?
How do the interactions between the characters impact their experiences at camp?
What lessons can we learn about fear and courage from the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own camp experiences or fears with your child to form a connection and make them feel comfortable sharing.
Encourage your child to think about what they would do differently than the characters in the book, fostering critical thinking.
Discuss the emotions and motivations of the characters, asking your child how they relate or differ from their own feelings.
Highlight the themes of friendship and facing fears, and relate them to your child’s real-life experiences.
Ask your child to imagine a different ending to the story, which can help develop their creativity and storytelling skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and collaboration
Explanation: In 'The Curse of Camp Cold Lake', the protagonist Sarah learns to work together with others to solve problems and overcome fears, demonstrating how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in team activities and projects, learning to value each other's input and support one another in school or play.
Example Lesson: Facing fears
Explanation: Sarah faces her fears head-on as she deals with the supernatural elements at Camp Cold Lake. Her bravery in confronting what scares her teaches resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to tackle their own fears, whether it’s speaking in front of the class, trying out for a sports team, or dealing with difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Consequences of deceit
Explanation: Sarah pretends to drown in an attempt to gain popularity, which leads to unintended and serious consequences. This highlights the pitfalls of dishonesty.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of honesty and being true to oneself. It serves as a reminder that deceit can complicate situations and cause harm to oneself and others.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters learn to understand and empathize with the ghost’s lonely and troubled past, which helps them to resolve the haunting peacefully.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of empathy in resolving conflicts and understanding people’s actions and emotions in deeper ways.