Ethan was thinking hard as he walked to the playground.
It was almost the end of summer camp, and he was sad.
He didn't know if he'd see Mr. Dunn after camp was over.
He wanted to give Mr. Dunn something that would show how much everyone liked camp.
He wanted it to be something that would help Mr. Dunn to remember everyone.
"Hey, Ethan," Mr. Dunn said cheerfully.
"Did you bring your empty soda bottle?"
Ethan pulled a bottle out of his backpack.
"What is it for?"
"We're going to use it to make a terrarium."
Mr. Dunn held up a package of seeds.
"Has anyone ever heard of a terrarium?" he asked.
"Ooh, my pet frog, Gurpy, lives in a terrarium!
Wow! Are we growing frogs, Mr. Dunn?
Are we?" Izzie asked excitedly.
Mr. Dunn laughed. "Terrariums can be for animals or plants.
We're going to plant seeds in our bottles.
Not frogs. Sorry, Izzie."
Ethan giggled. Poor Izzie looked disappointed.
"But first we need to get some pebbles and soil."
Mr. Dunn held up large paper cups.
"Let's head to the woods."
Mr. Dunn pointed to the ground underneath a tree.
"Here's a good place to get soil."
Ethan stuck a cup into the soil.
"Is it okay if we scoop up worms?"
"A soda bottle is a pretty small home for a worm," Mr. Dunn said.
"Let's leave the worms out here in the woods."
Ethan nodded. Mr. Dunn always had good answers.
The kids were ready to create their terrariums.
"First we have to cut our bottles," said Mr. Dunn.
"We're going to use the bottom part for planting."
He told the campers to draw a line on the bottle.
"Make it about 12 centimeters from the bottom."
"Mr. Dunn likes to garden," Ethan thought.
Maybe the campers could get Mr. Dunn a shovel.
How much did shovels cost?
Mr. Dunn helped everyone cut their bottles.
Then they were ready for pebbles and soil.
"Place one layer of pebbles on the bottom of your terrarium.
Then fill the terrarium with soil.
Leave about four centimeters of room at the top," said Mr. Dunn.
"Then add seeds.
You can grow grass, clover, or basil."
Ethan followed Mr. Dunn's instructions.
He sprinkled a handful of clover seeds in his terrarium and covered them with soil.
"Now lightly water your seeds with a spray bottle.
Don't soak the soil.
It only needs to be moist," Mr. Dunn said.
"I actually lost my watering can at home.
So I've been watering my indoor plants with this spray bottle!" Mr. Dunn said.
"That's it!" Ethan thought.
A watering can would be the perfect gift from the Kids Central kids!
The campers fitted the top halves of their bottles back on their terrariums.
Ethan thought about his idea for Mr. Dunn's gift.
The last day of camp was going to be sad.
But when they gave Mr. Dunn the watering can, everyone would be happy!
[caption_out@