Books & Beyond: A Night Under the Stars at Boyd Hill
The laughter of children echoed through Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, where our Books & Beyond crew gathered for a weekend of storytelling, s’mores, and adventure. This time, our journey led us to the Terry Tomalin Campground, where the pages of the stories our young readers explored came to life in the great outdoors.
After weeks of reading tales that celebrate courage, curiosity, and connection with nature, ten bright young adventurers joined us for an overnight camping experience like no other. Cozy cabins became home base for the night as the kids decided who to bunk with.
The evening kicked off with a guided nature walk, where young explorers learned about Florida’s biodiversity, spotted local wildlife and got to see the real-life settings that inspired many of their stories. Just before the sun set, the air buzzed with energy, because next up was archery lessons from Cloud Nine Outdoors! For many of us, it was our first time holding a bow, but with encouragement (and a few cheers from the sidelines), arrows began to fly. Each “thunk” against the target brought applause and proud smiles.
When the stars appeared, we gathered around the campfire as everyone learned the basics of outdoor fire safety and teamwork. The smell of grilled hot dogs filled the air, followed by joy as we roasted gooey s’mores for dessert. Between bites, we shared campfire stories and played “Would You Rather,” a game that had everyone laughing and getting to know each other more.
Through it all, the heart of Books & Beyond shone bright while helping children connect what they read to the world around them. It’s truly gratifying seeing how this partnership is nurturing confidence, community, and a love for nature.
This experience was made possible through the collaboration of MAR (More Action for Regeneration), the Competitive Readers Coalition, and One Community Grocery Co-op, who continue to bring the magic of books, and the world beyond their pages, to life for our local youth. Special thanks to Cloud Nine Outdoors for leading our archery adventure and showing us how to aim high, both on and off the field.
As the kids packed into cabins, tired but glowing with new memories, one of the campers said it best: “I wish we got to stay outside a little longer”.
And that’s exactly what Books & Beyond is all about: helping every child see that they are part of the story of our shared planet.
Join the Next Chapter
Want to help us create more moments like this?
Support the Books & Beyond series by volunteering, donating books about nature, or sharing our mission with your community. Every book, every story, and every adventure helps plant the seeds for a new generation of readers, leaders, and nature lovers.
Learn more or get involved at takemar.org.
