The Brownie Scouts plan to go camping at the Girl Scout camp, but only a few dollars remain in the treasury. The girls all plan ways to earn money for the trip, including putting on a circus in Connie's backyard. They earn most of the money they need, but Miss Gordon's wallet is stolen. Miss Gordon promises to make up the stolen money and so the Brownies leave for camp.

At camp, the Veve, Jane, and Eileen, are assigned to make breakfast on the first morning. They find it very difficult and ruin a pan of bacon and oatmeal. Since too many of their supplies were used, Miss Gordon drive to town with Veve and Connie to make several purchases. Veve and Connie see an old circus boxcar, and Veve impulsively suggests that they go inside. Unexpectedly, the door is shut, and the train leaves with the girls trapped inside!

The girls are not discovered until the train reaches its destination several hundred miles away. They must stay with the circus for several days until they can be picked up. During their stay at the circus, the girls help capture the man who stole Miss Gordon's wallet and receive a reward which more than makes up for the stolen Brownie money.