DeMello Elementary students attended school clothed in pajamas and armed with blankets and lanterns for a campout in the cafeteria on February 16.

Reading Specialist Lisa Maucione read Chris Van Dusen's "A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee" aloud to the first and second graders before giving students time to read their own books by flashlight.

"It's just a different way to keep kids wanting to read," said Assistant Principal Catherine Pavao.

Students laughed as Maucione introduced Mr. Magee and his dog, and told of their encounter with a bear on the camping trip.

"It was funny when the bear thought the cat was a marshmallow," said second grader Joey Leone.

"I agree," classmate Thomas Pallatroni said.

For some students, the experience was a first introduction to camping.

"One day I will go camping," said Ashlyn Rodriguez. "I have two big tents. One doesn't have a door, and the other is too big to fit in the house, but it does have a door. It's really complicated to put together."

The campout not only encouraged reading, but a different sort of learning. Students listed cooking and looking for animals as things they would enjoy on an outdoor venture, along with eating marshmallows.

DeMello has hosted other school-wide reading activities, such as the "Book tasting" and "Books, blankets, and breakfast."