Secret Adventures facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Secret Adventures
VHS Cover of the episode "Shrug"
Genre	Children, Family, Educational
Created by	George Taweel Rob Loos
Written by	George Taweel Rob Loos
Directed by	Jim Drake
Starring	Tamara Daniels Michele Scarabelli Gary Bayer Sarah Martineck Michael MacLeod
Composer(s)	James Covell
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of episodes	7
Production
Executive producer(s)	Dan Johnson
Producer(s)	George Taweel Rob Loos
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	Broadman & Holman Publishers Taweel-Loos and Company
Release
Original release	1993 (1993) – 1995 (1995)

Secret Adventures is a fun American TV series made for kids and families. It was created by George Taweel and Rob Loos. The show came out between 1993 and 1995 on VHS tapes. There are seven half-hour episodes in total.

The series is about a teenager named Drea Thomas. She has a super active imagination! Drea often babysits two younger kids, Rebecca and Matt. Together, they learn important life lessons. In each episode, they go on a "secret adventure." During these adventures, they magically turn into animated characters. This helps them understand the lesson of the day.

What is Secret Adventures About?

The show takes place in a fictional town called Hampton Falls, New Jersey. It's like a stand-in for Princeton, New Jersey. The local students go to Hampton Falls Junior High School. Mrs. Joan Long is the school Principal.

Drea Thomas is in seventh grade with her friends Kim and George. She also deals with rivals like Arlene and Marcy. Drea babysits Mrs. Long's two kids, Rebecca and Matt, who are in elementary school.

Drea's Grandpa often helps explain the main lesson of each episode. Drea also talks to her "E.D." (electronic diary) to share her thoughts. The "secret adventure" part is a short cartoon. Drea, Rebecca, and Matt become animated characters, often talking animals. They face situations that help them understand the episode's lesson. It's like their imaginations come to life!

For example, in the episode "Spin," Drea runs for class president. She thinks about lying to win. Meanwhile, Matt accidentally ruins his dad's music and tries to hide it. In their secret adventure, they become fish. They learn how lies can cause problems. This helps both Drea and Matt decide to tell the truth.

At the end of each episode, Drea and Grandpa talk about the lesson. Sometimes, Grandpa connects the lesson to Christian ideas.

Drea's imagination is so strong that everyday objects seem to come alive. Her Toaster, for example, can talk to her! Only Drea, Rebecca, and Matt can see these animated objects.

Meet the Characters

The Thomas Family

• Tamara Daniels as Andrea 'Drea' Thomas: The main character. She's a 13-year-old junior high student. She babysits Rebecca and Matt.
• Michele Scarabelli as Laurie 'Mom' Thomas: Drea's mother. She works as a marketing manager.
• Gary Bayer as Jim 'Dad' Thomas: Drea's father. He is a music professor.
• George Murdock as Ben 'Grandpa' Thomas: Drea's grandfather. He often helps Drea understand life lessons. He loves gardening!

The Long Family

• Clare Kirkconnell as Mrs. Joan Long: The Principal of Hampton Falls Junior High. She is Rebecca and Matt's mom.
• Sarah Martineck as Rebecca Long: A young girl Drea babysits. She sometimes teases her brother, Matt.
• Michael MacLeod as Matt Long: A young boy Drea babysits. He is in first grade.
• Doug Barr as John Long: Rebecca and Matt's dad. He is shown in a flashback in one episode.

Hampton Falls Junior High

• Heidi Lucas as Kimberly Andow: Drea's best friend.
• Ian Christopher Scott as George Easton: A boy Drea likes. He sometimes competes with Drea.
• Marnette Patterson as Arlene Blake: The most popular girl in school. She is often Drea's rival.
• Frankie Ingrassia as Marcy Manmington: Arlene's friend and helper.

Animated Characters

• Jerry Houser as the voice of Mister Toaster: Drea's talking toaster. He often makes funny comments.
• Alan Johnson as the voice of The Shakespearean Fox: An animated fox in the episode "Shrug." He talks using famous quotes.

Guest Characters

• Michael W. Smith as Billy Holden: A famous rock star. He was Jim Thomas's piano student.
• A. C. Green as himself: A professional basketball player. He encourages Drea in "Slam."
• Cheryl Miller as Polly Robinson: The new girls' basketball coach in "Slam."
• John Tesh as himself: A TV reporter who interviews Drea in "Spin."
• Christopher Castile as himself: The Thomas family meets him in Hollywood in "Split."

Episode Guide

Here's a look at the exciting adventures in each episode:

• "Spin: Truth, Tubas and George Washington"

Drea runs for class president and learns about telling the truth. Matt and Rebecca accidentally ruin music and try to hide it. In their adventure, they become fish and see how lies have consequences.

• "Snap: How to Act Like a Responsible Almost-Adult"

Drea has to babysit Rebecca, Matt, and their dog, Floyd. Floyd causes trouble, and then escapes! The kids search for him. In their adventure, they become dogs and learn about being responsible.

• "Smash: How to Survive Junior High by Really Trying"

The school needs money for activities. Drea and her friends try to raise $10,000. In their adventure, they become jungle animals and learn the importance of teamwork.

• "Shrug: The Self-Doubting Thomas"

Drea feels down when things don't go her way. Her mom also doubts herself. In their adventure, they become skunks and learn that everyone has a special purpose.

• "Snag: I'm Dreaming of a Right Christmas"

The Thomas family decides to give fewer, more special gifts for Christmas. Drea even buys a gift for her rival, Arlene. In their adventure, they become mice and learn that giving is more important than getting.

• "Slam: Full Court Perseverance"

Drea tries out for the basketball team but feels like giving up. Her parents help her practice. In their adventure, they become penguins in the Arctic. They learn to never give up, no matter the challenge.

• "Split: Loss and Found"

Drea's dad gets a job offer in California. The family thinks about moving. In their adventure, they become caterpillars that turn into butterflies. This shows them that change can be good, even if it means saying goodbye. In the end, Drea's dad decides they will stay in New Jersey.

Behind the Scenes

Secret Adventures was filmed in California. Some school scenes were shot at John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles. Other scenes were filmed in Princeton, New Jersey. The animated parts of the show were made by a company called StarToons.

Later, in 1997, the videos were re-released by The Family Channel and distributed by Columbia TriStar Home Video. As of 2020, you can watch the series on Pure Flix.