First prize 10 and under

Ivy Lugbill, age 8 Indianapolis, IN

The Bat Expedition

I was so excited! My dad and I were going camping! After we packed all our stuff, my dad said, “Hop in!” I grabbed the paper towel roll binoculars I had been making and jumped into the car.

It was a really . . . really . . . really long trip. I think I fell asleep, because the next thing I knew, my dad was saying, “Wake up! Wake up! We’re there!”

We got out of the car, got our stuff, and put up the hammock. I held one end, while my dad tied it. We did the same with the other end.

After we got settled, we went exploring. We found a snake, a lizard (that bit my finger, ouch!), and a rock shaped like a frog. We were about to turn around, but we heard an echoing squeak coming from the bushes. I climbed through them. My dad followed.

What we found there was the biggest discovery of all. We found a cave! I looked at my dad. He nodded. I took a deep breath. I switched on my flashlight.

“Squeak!” said