Posts Tagged 'Birthdays at camp'

Care Packages 101

Do you really “care”? Is the size and volume of your care package directly proportional to the amount of love you have for your child?  Of course not!  But a care package can be a great gift that your child will appreciate.

Ah, care packages, always a camp favorite.  I remember that as a camper, I always looked forward to them.  And it’s amazing what can come in a good care package.  A care package is simply a package full of goodies (not necessarily food) for your camper.  The best ones are the ones you make yourself.  But companies offer convenient, pre-made care packages as well.

I recently came across an old but still relevant article on care packages from the Columbus Parent Magazine.  The article  includes a plethora of tips on care packages.  Among others, the article includes a suggestion for a “letter shower,” a package full of letters from your child’s friends.  That’s a great idea, especially for their birthday when they may be missing their friends.  You can also send pictures.

Also check out this excellent story from the Associated Press:  Summer camp care package: What to send tweens and teens.

Camp rules. Finally, remember that some camps have different rules for different types of “packages.”  Because of potential pest problems, many camps won’t allow food in bunks and thus care packages may not allow food.  Other camps limit the number of care packages so that other kids don’t feel bad when they don’t get care packages.  Our camp only allows one care package per session.  But they’ll allow needed clothes to be sent.  And they also treat most manila envelopes as regular mail, which is unlimited.

Remember: make sure that you have the correct address for packages at your camp.  Our camp uses a PO box for mail but packages have to be delivered directly to the camp.

The Last Word: Care packages are great and always appreciated.  But it’s the everyday, ongoing communication in letters, emails and faxes (where allowed) that helps your child to have a great experience day in and day out.

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Birthdays at Camp

The Letters to Camp blog is all about, well, letters and parent-camper communication.  And from time to time, we’ll discuss related topics.  Today we cover birthdays.

If your child has a birthday at camp, you’ll want to make it as special as possible while keeping to your camp’s rules.

Every camp is different (and most don’t seem to allow any sort of food for birthdays) but Camp Greystone in North Carolina offers some great birthday tips for parents that including letter-writing and cards.  For example, they say that you should:

  • Let your child know special their birthday will be at camp.
  • Have a separate family and friend celebration at home either before or after camp.
  • Send birthday cards, letters, and [if permitted by your camp,] a package.
  • Mark the delivery day on the package or letter so that the camp can deliver it on that day.  [Check with your camp to see if they’ll do this.]

They ask parents not to:

  • Send food.
  • Send balloons… they really clutter up the cabin.
  • Send lots of presents… the best thing to get at camp is a letter; give most of the presents at the hometown party.

…This is all outstanding advice.  As a long time parent of campers whose birthdays fall during camp, I suggest that you also contact your camp to understand how they celebrate birthdays and what you are permitted to do.  Each camp’s birthday observance will vary.  Some camps celebrate the birthday on the day of the birthday while others will have a single celebration for all kids with birthdays during that session.  At our camp, our kids are also allowed to call us on their birthdays.

You can help your child to have a great birthday at camp… Happy Birthday!


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