While participating in a Revolutionary War reenactment, Frank and Joe learn that there has been a real casualty and set out to investigate the incident.

"Hopelessly hapless Hal Rifkind, a.k.a. Cartboy, is off to summer camp. And not just any old camp, but history camp. Campers have to learn how to churn butter, plant maize, and carry water from the stream--or they get punished for not doing their chores. What else could possibly go wrong for Cartboy?"--

Sixteen-year-old Chelsea knows what to expect when she returns for a summer of historical reenactment at Colonial Essex Village until she learns that her ex-boyfriend is working there, too, and then meets the very attractive Dan who works at a rival historical village.