Campfire Girls' Lake Camp

In Short

Campfire Girls’ Lake Camp is an American juvenile adventure novel by Irene Elliott Benson that blends outdoor recreation with small-town mystery. When a group of schoolgirls from the Hiawatha Institute set out for a summer outing at Twin Lakes, they uncover a plot involving a missing heir, suspicious neighbors, and an unscrupulous attorney. Combining camp craft with amateur detective work, the girls rally to outwit the adults working against them. The book remains a fascinating slice of early twentieth-century series fiction, showcasing the period’s ideals of girlhood independence, group loyalty, and civic duty.

The Story

The story begins as a group of Camp Fire Girls at the Hiawatha Institute gather for a special meeting. Their Guardian, Miss Ladd, shares details provided by a benefactor, Mrs. Hutchins, regarding a sensitive situation at Twin Lakes. A young boy named Glen is living near Stony Point with the Graham family, who treat him cruelly and may be withholding his true identity and inheritance. A dishonest attorney named Pierce Langford is also lurking about, seemingly helping the Grahams maintain control over the child. The girls take a unanimous vote to travel to Twin Lakes, pitch their camp nearby, and conduct a discreet investigation.

Upon arriving, the girls secure permission from a local real estate agent, Mr. Ferris, to set up tents on the wooded shore just north of Stony Point. They divide their time between traditional camping activities—building bonfires, singing ritual songs, and constructing a enclosed swimming area—and scouting the neighboring Graham property. Tensions escalate when a heavy stone is thrown into their campfire at night, revealing that their presence has rattled their adversaries. Shortly thereafter, the girls encounter young Glen himself, who reveals that he has been beaten and that the adults in his house intend to scare the campers away using a fake "ghost."

The confrontation comes to a head when a spectral figure appears in the woods to intimidate the girls. Helen Nash, exercising her athletic training, uses a rubber-band catapult to strike the "ghost" on the head with a pebble, sending the bruised pretender running into the forest. Having gathered crucial witnesses who can attest to Glen's real name and his mistreatment, Miss Ladd and the girls successfully confront the scheming adults, expose Attorney Langford's interference, and rescue the boy from his guardians.

The volume also includes two supplementary texts: "A Princess of the Woods," a historical narrative retelling Captain John Smith’s encounters with Pocahontas and Powhatan in colonial Virginia, and "Edna’s Sacrifice," a short romantic melodramatic tale of long-delayed love reunited after a period of mourning.

How It Unfolds

A call to action Miss Ladd calls a Council Fire meeting to present a secret request from Mrs. Hutchins. The girls unanimously vote to undertake an undercover mission at Twin Lakes to investigate the suspicious living conditions of a young boy named Glen.

Establishing the camp Arriving at the lake, Katherine and Hazel secure camping permissions from real estate agent Mr. Ferris. The girls pitch their tents on the wooded shoreline near Stony Point and devise a system of local honors for successfully completing scouting assignments.

The attorney's arrival While surveying the area, the girls spot Attorney Pierce Langford driving toward the Graham cottage. Realizing he may suspect their purpose, they strive to maintain an innocent demeanor, though Hazel accidentally draws his attention by looking back.

Hostilities in the dark While the campers gather around a evening bonfire to sing traditional songs, a large missile is hurled out of the darkness into the embers. The girls realize they are being actively monitored and targeted by hidden enemies.

An ally in the woods The girls make contact with young Glen, who confirms his mistreatment and hints that the Grahams plan to use a "ghost" to frighten them away. Miss Ladd gathers the names of local witnesses who can verify the boy's origin and abuse.

Unmasking the threat When a shadowy phantom appears in the timber to terrify the camp, Helen Nash uses a catapult to pelt the figure with a stone. The direct hit stuns the intruder and drives him off, breaking the mystery and paving the way for the girls' final victory.

The People

• Miss Ladd: The sensible, encouraging Guardian of the Camp Fire group. She directs the summer trip, balances outdoor recreation with secret investigation, and ensures the girls stay safe while gathering evidence.
• Katherine: An energetic and practical camper who takes the lead in scouting the Graham property and securing the campsite lease.
• Hazel Edwards: A dedicated Camp Fire Girl whose intense curiosity occasionally slips through her calm exterior, making her worry that she has tipped off their rivals.
• Helen Nash: A cool, deliberate, and athletic girl equipped with dry humor. Her proficiency with a catapult allows her to physically confront the "ghost" threatening the camp.
• Glen Graham (Irving): The young boy at the heart of the mystery. Mistreated by his guardians and kept from his true identity, he turns to the Camp Fire Girls for help.
• Pierce Langford: A squint-eyed attorney from Fairberry whose suspicious presence around Stony Point drives the conflict.

In Its Own Voice

"What kind of honor would you confer on me if I exhibited great skill in spying on someone else?" asked Helen Nash in her usual cool and deliberate manner.

The girls pause their study of camp craft to debate whether conducting an undercover investigation can align with their organization's system of earning merit honors.

Suddenly all were startled by an astonishing occurrence. A heavy object, probably a stone as large as a man's fist, fell in the heap of embers, scattering sparks and burning sticks in all directions.

A tranquil evening of patriotic songs and campfires turns tense when the surrounding darkness produces a physical attack on the campers.

A sharp thud informed her that she had hit something of substantial resistance, and the next bit of evidence broke the spell for the other girls with a realization of what had taken place.

Helen's sharp marksmanship with a catapult brings a sudden, human end to a supernatural scare tactic.

What It's Really About

Behind its breezy lake-house backdrop, Campfire Girls' Lake Camp examines the boundaries of civic duty and youth agency. It asks whether young people—specifically young women organizing under a structured code—have a moral obligation to step in when adult legal systems fail a vulnerable child. The narrative contrasts the self-governing, transparent ethics of the Camp Fire movement against the secretive, greedy maneuvers of small-town lawyers and abusive guardians. By treating their detective work as an extension of community service and honor-building, the book argues that practical resourcefulness, athletic training, and group solidarity are powerful tools for social good, transforming a summer vacation into a practical lesson in justice.

Why Read It Today

This book offers modern readers an entertaining window into early twentieth-century popular culture and youth movements. Readers who enjoy vintage series fiction like Nancy Drew or The Bobbsey Twins will appreciate the story's blend of outdoor life, cozy atmosphere, and mild peril. It captures the initial enthusiasm of the Camp Fire Girls movement, highlighting how early 1900s girls were encouraged to develop physical strength, outdoor competence, and leadership alongside domestic skill.

The reading experience is swift and uncomplicated, written in clear, period-typical prose that flows easily through its dialogue-heavy chapters. While modern audiences may find the plot devices simple and the historical back-matter ("A Princess of the Woods") reflective of colonial perspectives of its time, the central story remains fundamentally charming. The image of organized, capable young women using their camp skills and sheer nerve to outwit a crooked lawyer is as satisfying now as it was when the book first hit shelves in 1918.