Summertime means going to camp, and in Odyssey, the camp everyone goes to is Camp What-a-Nut. It's Donny McCoy's first year as a camper, and he records every minute of his experience in his journal. He starts with Camp Director Whit's explanation of how the place came to be called "What-a-Nut." It's an acronym for the camp's real name, "Wey-Aka-Tal-Ah-Nee-Tee"-an Indian phrase meaning "land that stinks like swamp."

Donny's week takes off from there. It's filled with both exciting and ridiculous incidents. First, his sister, Gloria, seems to fall in love with Donny's counselor, Ned Lewis. Gloria appears so smitten, she crafts a heart-shaped necklace. Then, to make matters worse, Donny learns that one of his cabinmates is Chas Wentworth, a notorious bully. Chas has a run-in with the camp's Italian cook, Marco Dibiasi. Chas vows revenge. Unfortunately, Chas also zeroes in on Donny, teasing him about being short.

Donny tries every activity available and fails at each one because of his small stature. Whit notices this and takes Donny on a walk in the forest. Suddenly an enormous bear lumbers right toward them! The bear is protecting her cubs. She charges Donny and Whit, who run! Whit trips and falls. The bear rushes closer and closer.

Continued in part 2...