If your big or little kid is fortunate enough to experience an overnight or away camp this summer season then this article is for you! Bring back the nostalgia of "snail mail" with these great "care packages!" Show some camp love this season, show your kid that YOU'RE. THE. BEST with a simple box o' love.
Let's face it. Overnight camps and sending your kiddo away from the comfort of your household, is often hardest on YOU as a parent. You'll desperately imagine ways to keep in touch with your camp kid and if you're like me you'll settle on something that will make you feel like a triumphant parent. A care package that outdoes all care packages in ALL THE LAND!! Of course this package isn't REALLY for your kid! Don't be silly. It's for YOU. So that you can feel like you're the BEST. PARENT. EVER.
Because, really... that's how we all make it through!
Before you get carried away though, be sure to follow these care package building tips!
1. Check with the camp first. Are packages even allowed? Some don't want all of the extra "stuff" brought into the environment. Nature wants to remain natural and I guess all of your glow sticks are not welcome. Some camps don't like to encourage competition. It's the whole Air Jordan shoe thing. The point is to be together harmoniously at camp Wakka Wakka, not compete to see who had the most awesome care package. ( though of COURSE, yours would win)
Sigh.
How ever will you send your LOVE then? See #A below if not.
2. Food might be a NO NO for many reasons. Your prize winning cookie might be an allergy hazard to others and creepy crawly critter creatures might be lured to eating your famous peanut butter brownie.
No one wants that and you DON'T want to be THAT mom that campers will talk about for the next 23 years.
"Did you hear about the great cockroach camp package of 2013. Yah... that was HER."
Again, do your research.
3. Don't reinvent the wheel. Ask Betty Been Around The Block. She's been sending her kids to this camp for 5 years now. Surely, she has some tried and true ideas and can share with you her tips and tricks! IE: Don't send full water balloons.
4. Send fun. Think GROUP. Think of all the FRIENDS your kid is making and then think about how to make them the ENVY of everyone in the entire bunk!
Here are some ideas:
Here are some ideas:
Practical jokes (that won't get them into too much hot water)
Mad Libs
riddles
graphic novels
comic books
art tablets
journals
puzzler games
brain teasers
glow sticks
Chinese jump rope
cats eye string
BFF stuff to share
autograph stuff
address book
Or replenish what they lose or forgot
rain ponchos
lip balms
hand sanitizer
sunscreen
flashlights
5. Play It Cool.
Don't embarrass the poor kid Momma. No fresh Angry Bird undies. Gah!
You'll be the BEST PARENT EVER if you follow that last rule, most assuredly.
#A If for some reason you are stifled by camp rules and *gasp* NOT ALLOWED to send a BEST PARENT EVER care package. Circumvent the rules and go old school. Lick an envelope and stick on a stamp.
Send a big fat paper heart colored with your own crayons. Give it a big old hug when no one is looking and then stick it in an envelope and send it to your kiddo.
Actually don't. But DO send a letter, a funny family picture or even a homemade puzzle of some sort just so that you can feel better! Show your kid you love them and take the time to tell them, in writing, why they're wonderful. It'll probably actually mean more than any of that stuff listed up there. :)
#B If you're at a loss for creativity, just like anything, someone else can do it for you! Check out these sites that send the package for you and often times have a better handle on the rules and specifics. These are the pros and they're happy to take your moolah and do it for you!
just4camp.com
Anyway you CARE to send a PACKAGE will surely be appreciated! If you have any additional ideas or tips please feel free to share them below!
Anyway you CARE to send a PACKAGE will surely be appreciated! If you have any additional ideas or tips please feel free to share them below!
