It was a bright Saturday morning when Bibi woke up with excitement buzzing in her heart. Today wasn’t just any ordinary day—it was the day she had been waiting for all week! Uncle Phong had promised to take her camping, and they were going shopping together to get everything they needed for their adventure.
Bibi jumped out of bed, brushed her teeth in a hurry, and ran to the kitchen where Uncle Phong was already sipping his morning tea.
“Good morning, Uncle!” Bibi chirped, almost out of breath. “Are you ready to go shopping for our camping trip?”
Uncle Phong smiled and ruffled her hair. “Of course I am! But first, breakfast. Adventurers need energy.”
After finishing their pancakes and bananas, Bibi grabbed her small backpack and off they went to the outdoor gear store.
The store was huge and filled with all sorts of interesting things—tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, and even funny little camping stoves. Bibi’s eyes sparkled as she looked around in wonder.
“Alright, Captain Bibi,” Uncle Phong said in a playful voice, “What’s the first item on our list?”
Bibi pulled a crumpled paper from her backpack. “Tent!” she declared. “A tent big enough for the both of us—and maybe a tiny corner for my stuffed bunny.”
They walked to the tent section and tried out a few different models. Some were too small, some too big, but finally, they found one that was just right. It was green, easy to set up, and had a little window that zipped open.
“Perfect!” said Bibi. “This is our adventure home!”
Next up were sleeping bags. Bibi picked a purple one with stars on it, and Uncle Phong chose a warm, thick one that looked like a bear’s hug. They also picked out some foam pads to sleep on so the ground wouldn’t feel too hard.
As they moved to the cooking gear aisle, Bibi was especially excited. She loved food—especially outdoor food!
“Oooh, let’s get marshmallows!” she squealed. “And sausages and bread and some chocolate!”
Uncle Phong chuckled. “That’s for the campfire dinner. But we also need a little stove for breakfast. What if it rains and we can’t light a fire?”
They picked out a small gas stove, a tiny pot and pan, and some camping utensils. Bibi even found a cup that folded flat like magic.
They added a first aid kit, flashlights, a pack of batteries, and a set of walkie-talkies. Bibi loved those the most. She could already imagine calling Uncle Phong from her tent: “Captain Phong, do you read me?”
Next, they headed to the clothing section. Even though it was warm during the day, Uncle Phong reminded Bibi that it might get chilly at night. So they got cozy jackets, socks, and even a pair of gloves each.
“Do you think we’ll see animals?” Bibi asked as she tried on a bright pink scarf.
“Maybe,” said Uncle Phong. “If we’re quiet and lucky, we might see squirrels or deer. But let’s be safe, too. We’ll pack some bug spray and a whistle.”
They stopped by the bookstore near the exit and picked up a camping guide for kids and a nature journal. Bibi wanted to draw everything she saw—from birds to mushrooms to funny-shaped rocks.
Finally, they reached the checkout counter. The cart was full, and Bibi felt proud. She had helped pick every single thing they needed. The cashier smiled as she scanned each item.
“Going on an adventure?” she asked.
Bibi nodded with a big grin. “We’re going camping! It’s going to be the best trip ever.”
Once they got home, Uncle Phong and Bibi started organizing their gear. They practiced setting up the tent in the backyard. It took a few tries, and the first time, the poles fell over, and the tent collapsed with a “whoosh.” They laughed so hard their tummies hurt.
“Camping rule number one,” Uncle Phong said between giggles, “is to never give up!”
They packed their bags carefully. Bibi made sure Mr. Bunny had his own spot in her sleeping bag, and she triple-checked her marshmallows.
That evening, Uncle Phong made hot cocoa, and they sat on the porch together, watching the stars.
“Are you excited for tomorrow?” he asked.
“I’m super-duper excited,” Bibi whispered. “Thank you for taking me.”
Uncle Phong smiled and put his arm around her. “You’re my favorite camping buddy, you know.”
As Bibi got ready for bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about the adventures that lay ahead—hiking through forests, listening to crickets, eating by the fire, and sleeping under the stars.
But even before the trip began, today had already felt magical. Because shopping with Uncle Phong, laughing over tent poles, and planning their big adventure—it was all part of the fun.
