Introducing Myrtle and Ray and the First Day of Camp.
We are so excited to share something we’ve been working on behind the scenes: a brand-new children’s picture book written by our own Marissa Allaben and Alison Rothenberg and edited by Brian Stein, called Myrtle and Ray and the First Day of Camp. It’s the first story in the new Myrtle & Ray book series, and it was created with one specific child in mind … yours, on the morning of their very first day.
A First-Day Adventure at Stingray Cay Summer Camp
Myrtle and Ray and the First Day of Camp follows two new campers: Myrtle the Turtle and Ray the Stingray, as they arrive at the colorful, palm-lined gates of Stingray Cay Summer Camp. Myrtle’s heart is fluttering. Ray waves goodbye to the bus and quietly hopes someone nice will come say hello. If you’ve ever watched a child take that long, slow look around on the first morning of camp, you already know exactly how they feel.
The camp’s director, Miss Bluegill, gathers the new “Sea Stars” together and introduces them to the camp’s guiding idea — Catch the W.A.V.E.:
- Welcome curiosity
- Act with kindness
- Value teamwork
- Encourage others
From there, the day unfolds the way camp days really do. Arts and Crafts, where new friendships start to bloom over a shared paintbrush. Lunch under the striped tent, where jitters slip away over shared snacks and stories. Dance, where Myrtle freezes up and has to find her own rhythm. Playground, where Ray stares up at a slide that looks bigger than he expected. And finally Music Time, where the whole group sings together and camp suddenly feels magical.
It’s a gentle, rhyming, beautifully illustrated story about something every kid faces that brave, wobbly feeling of walking into something new. The message at the heart of the book is one we believe in deeply at Rolling River: being brave doesn’t mean being fearless, it means trying anyway.
Where Did the Idea Come From?
For 34 years, Rolling River has been welcoming first-time campers through our gates. And every single summer, we see the same thing: a child holding a parent’s hand a little tighter than usual, eyes scanning the crowd, wondering “Will I make a friend? Will I find my people? Will I be okay?”
Marissa and Alison wrote this book for that child.
They wrote it for the camper who needs a little reassurance the night before camp starts. For the parent who wants a way to talk about big feelings without making them feel bigger. For the sibling getting ready to follow in an older brother’s or sister’s footsteps. And for every counselor, supervisor, and family member who has ever helped a nervous kid take that first brave step onto the bus.
The book is dedicated to “every child who feels a little nervous on their first day”, and it’s our hope that reading it together becomes a small ritual families can return to each spring as camp gets closer.
Meet the Authors
Marissa Allaben is a second-generation Director at Rolling River Day Camp. After building her career at leading ad agencies serving brands like Verizon and American Express, she returned to Rolling River in 2010 to focus on business operations and growth. Today she oversees operations, marketing, programming, recruitment, and staff management for a camp serving 800+ campers each summer. Marissa holds a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.B.A from Baruch College, serves on the ACA Day Camp Conference Board, and is the current President of the LICAPS Directors Group.
Alison Rothenberg is a second-generation Associate Director at Rolling River, and has grown through every level of camp camper, CIT, head counselor, supervisor, and now director. With a strong background in Early Childhood and Special Education, she also works as a SEIT at a local preschool. At camp, Ali oversees staff and camper recruitment, special events, creative arts programming, facility design, camper support, and more. Ali holds a B.A. from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s degree from Hofstra University.
Between the two of them, they’ve welcomed thousands of nervous first-day campers over the years , and that lived experience is on every single page of this book. Illustrations are by Arslan Raza, who brought Stingray Cay and its lovable cast of sea creatures to life with so much warmth and color.
Get Your Copy Now
Myrtle and Ray and the First Day of Camp is the perfect read-aloud for the weeks leading up to camp, a sweet welcome gift for a new camper, or a thoughtful add-on for grandparents and caregivers who want to be part of the camp excitement too.
It’s recommended for ages 3–8, though we’ve found older siblings sneak it onto the nightstand too.
Here’s how to grab a copy:
- At Rolling River: Stop by the camp office at 477 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway to pick one up in person.
- Online: Order through our Amazon Store and have it shipped right to you.
- For groups & schools: Reach out to us directly about bulk orders for classrooms, libraries, or first-day welcome gifts.
- We will have copies available at Spring open play and other Rolling River Events
This is the first book in the Myrtle & Ray series, and we already have more adventures planned for our two favorite Sea Stars. Swim lessons, color war, the big camp show, the last day goodbye… there’s a lot of summer ahead for Myrtle and Ray.
Until then we hope your camper’s first day feels just a little less scary, and a whole lot more magical, with two new friends in their corner.
🐢🌊✨
Catch the W.A.V.E. with us this summer. We can’t wait to see you at Rolling River.
