A widowed mother named Julia Sanderson learns she has a terminal illness and has no close relatives to care for her three children, John Jr., Carl, and Alicia. Charles promises Mrs. Sanderson the children will find a new home. Meanwhile, the relationship between Mr. Edwards and Grace Snider begins to really blossom.

When Ms. Beadle assigns a leaf-gathering project to her students, Mary and Laura are excited to find unique leaves on an upcoming camping trip with the family. Harriet convinces her husband to let their family go with the Ingalls. Although the two families have a difficult time adjusting to this extended period of time together, they gradually come to have a deeper respect for one another.