Sleep-away camps have cracked down on care packages from home during the summer. The camps do not want the campers competitive about the number and contents of care packages. I must admit that this Grandma was one who went overboard with bigger and bigger boxes of goodies each summer.
Does the new policy deter this Grandma? No. It just requires we grandmas to plan ahead. It requires grandchildren to be more selective as to what they would want to carry to camp or be sent in their camp trunk. Care packages now have to go to camp with the grandchild at the beginning of the summer inside camp trunks or backpacks.
When the long distance grandchildren were here for spring break, this Grandma took them to the local Learning Express Toys to select what they would want to take to camp with them. Yes, this Grandma vetoed anything that looked or acted like a gun. The grandchildren were very selective without having to be told–they evaluated size and use and made their selections to take come to pack.
Here are some great ideas, but remember, grandma must bring them or send them in time for them to be packed in the camp trunk:
Hurricane Water Balls. These are reusable and three come in a package.
Foxfire Gliders. The only problem with these is that they are 21″ and probably have to be carried to camp, sticking out of a backpack.
Spot It! These favorite games are small and come in so many varieties now, and are a great camp hit. There is even a new Spot It! Gone Camping.
Simon Electronic Handheld Game. Our grandchildren can now enjoy the family game we played with their parents in a small portable version.
Mist ‘N Sip. This is a combination mister and drink bottle. At Learning Express, they will personalize it for you.
Bling 2o goggles. These are adorable. They come in versions for boys. They come in versions for girls.
Of course, there is always stationary as a camp gift. But, this Grandma lets the parents of the grandchildren do the heavy lifting on this. The mother of our grandson started putting address labels on post cards and envelopes prestamped to encourage writing.
As far as this Grandma writing, I have discovered a way to by pass the “no gifts” rule in the letters I write. Yes, Grandpa makes address labels for me, one for each day of camp, and I put the address labels and return labels on enough envelopes for each day of sleep away summer camp ahead of time. I copy printables off the internet of crossword puzzles, word search and the like, and put one in each envelope with a short note. This year, this Grandma is going one further, copying from the other daughter. I had the grandchildren pick baseball card and football card packages, to put one baseball or football card in some of the envelopes. I have as many envelopes ready to go as I can before summer starts and “tickled” to be mailed five a week for the seven weeks, 35 in advance. Then, I am not
overwhelmed in supplementing current news twice a week to cover the entire camp summer.
Yes, our grandson says he gets the most mail of any camper, as his aunt does what I do, in addition to other mail he gets. He reminds us that we can send emails. We asked if he prefers being the one who gets the most “snail” mail of any camper, and he shyly admitted yes. This year is his youngest sister’s first sleep away summer camp experience. Fortunately, she is only going for three and a half weeks. Now, I have to do 21 more in advance! Next summer, three will be in summer camp so I may have to start at spring break getting ready.
This is getting more and more time consuming! Better get busy bringing summer smiles to grandchildren and more summer
Joy,
Mema
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