7 Favorite Gifts for Campers’ Care Packages 2015

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As the camper ripped open her package, her shouts of delight were audible across camp.  She pulled out a book, “Yay, it’s my favorite series!!” she shouted, a smile lighting up her face.

Watching campers open packages at camp, I consistently see and hear the most gleeful exclamations when a book is pulled out.  This may be because only the most ardent readers receive books in care packages or possibly because books are the ideal gift to send to a camper.  Books are useful, engaging, and don’t create cabin clutter.

Here are 7 items girls have received at camp this summer and rated enthusiastically highly:

1. Books: The Land of Stories series is getting high accolades from campers
2. Comic books! 
3. Friendship yarn: this is brightly colored, cotton thread that typically can be found in packages of 10 or 12 or more skein
4. A new headband— an item that is much needed for anyone with long hair and often lost
5. Uno card game— a tried and true favorite if your camper doesn’t already have a deck
6. Stickers
7. Fuzzy socks to wear to bed

And one item is sufficient.  Campers are often most excited just to see their names on the package list.

Best items you want to share for sending a camper?  Comment and let us know.

8 Easy Hanukkah Gifts or Stocking Stuffers for Your Camper

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Hanukkah starts tomorrow night; Christmas is just two weeks away; and you could still use a few small ideas for your summer camper, right?

Any of these eight small gifts are perfect for stuffing into stockings or wrapping up one each night of lights.

1. Water bottle— hot summer days may seems ages away right now, but water bottles are well-used at summer camps to keep active campers hydrated.  


2. Stickers— often these are freebies from your favorite haunts.  Campers personalize water bottles and trunks with stickers and can never have too many.


3. Note cards— while this one may be somewhat self-serving, if you would like to receive letters from camp, you can still find (or make!) fun cards or a letter writing kit to pack in your child’s trunk.


4. Photo in a plexiglass frame— enjoy the photo now and pack it up come summer to place on a cubby by your camper’s bunk.


5. Head lamp— a head lamp is a necessity at camp for reading after taps or seeing the sink while simultaneously putting toothpaste on a toothbrush.  


6. Toothbrush case— speaking of brushing teeth, find a few colorful toothbrush cases and a soap case to keep bristles pine-needle free.


7. Shower caddy— as you’re out shopping keep your eyes open for a small plastic “bucket” that can hold shampoo and soap and sit on a shower floor in the woods.


8. Playing cards— campers can never have too many decks of cards!

Fun Summer Camp Packages

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One of the great benefits of summer camp is living clutter-free. Yet there is great happiness at mail time seeing your name is on the package list.  So when you put together a care package for your camper this summer, keep in mind that receiving a package often is more exciting than any specific contents could possibly be.  One creatively-decorated package with a few camp-friendly items is great treat for your summer camper.


Here are some ideas to include in an easy, fun package:

• A book.  Perhaps the next book in a favorite series or a joke book for sharing with cabin mates.
• A sticker to add to her trunk if she has one. 
• Notecards.  Find fun ones made for campers and add some small stickers so he can decorate the cards himself.
• A craft.  Choose wisely.  Crafts that work best have few parts and no paint.  
• Speaking of crafts... if your camper enjoys making friendship bracelets then a few more spools of thread in bright colors are always welcome.
• A deck of cards.  Cards are a great cabin pastime and a new, full deck may be just what the cabin needs after playing 100 rounds of Peon and bending a few too many cards.
• Water bottle.  It's been a wonderfully warm summer in many states, so if your camper doesn't already have a water bottle on hand, he would likely appreciate one.

And some tips when mailing your package:

• Check out regional rate boxes from the US Post Office for mailing your packages.  If your camper attends a camp within a state or two from home, then these rates are a great value.
• The box or envelope is part of the package so decorate the shipping container too!  Get out your indelible markers and a box of stickers and be a child again as you decorate.
• Have fun packaging up what's in the box.  Put sticky notes on each item with knock-knock jokes or wrap the items up in colorful pages from recycled magazines.
• Verify any do's and don'ts from your camp.  Most camps do not allow food to be sent to campers for a multitude of sound reasons, not the least of which is helping your child have a healthy summer.  So check if there are any items that cannot be sent.

The whole experience makes receiving a package fun at summer camp.  Also check out Writing Your Summer Camper .

New Approach to Care Packages

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The campers cluster around the mailboxes, eagerly scanning the newly posted package list. “Yeah I got one!” “Lily you got a package!” “YES!” can be heard as the campers spot their name or a friend’s name on the list. Often simply receiving a package is more important than the contents.

However, having sent numerous care packages over the years, and having covered the basics, I was looking for a new approach to putting together a package. My daughter’s camp discourages sending food and the Mad Libs have come home empty in past summers. My daughter hasn’t even had time to read the books she went to camp with. So what to send?

Rather than heading out to the store, I decided to look around the house to see what I could send.  I opened the junk drawer in my kitchen and peered in. I considered each object in turn:

• Cool pad of paper—check, that could easily be included
• Fun colored pens—pens are always running out, I put them in
• Rocks—okay there are plenty of rocks at camp, leave those in the junk drawer
• Bouncy ball—sure, small, lightweight, fun
• Rubber bands—hmm, not sure that would be so exciting
• An unused skein of gimp—so many uses, sure, I dropped it in the bag
• And way in the back—an old riddle book—paused and read that for a bit. This one had probably been forgotten about and would be enjoyed as if it were new.

I have only just sent the package, so I don’t know yet how well it was received. Guess I’ll just have to wait by my mailbox for a return letter. If you give it a try let us know what you find and how well it was received.

Easy Care Packages

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The thrill of seeing your name on the package list or the anticipation of pulling open the package can be the highlight of mail time at camp. Often it doesn’t matter what is in the securely taped box, just who it is addressed to. Some camps have a strict no packages policy and those that allow packages have rules on what can and cannot be included. Many camps restrict food of any kind from pretzels to gum. So it’s important to check with the camp before putting together a care package for your camper.

If the camp does allow packages, remember that it’s the excitement of receiving the package usually more than the contents that has the biggest impact on a camper. Often I have heard my daughters say, “Auntie sent me a package!”, but rarely have I heard them specifically mention any contents by name.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started many of which can be found at convenience or drug stores:

• Silly Bands—THE hot item for summer camps 2010
• Activity books (word puzzles, brain teasers)
• Stickers
• Comic books
• Magazines
• Thread for friendship bracelets
• A cute water bottle (wash it out first as it’s doubtful your camper will)
• A deck of cards
• New stationary or note cards
• Photos you printed out from your visit
• A small stuffed animal
• A sploosh ball, frisbee or other small toy

The easiest way to mail a package is with the postal service’s Priority Mail flat rate box or envelope if all of your items are flat. After you purchased your gifts, pick up a box (or large flat envelope) at the post office to send them. Check www.usps.gov for sizes and rates.

If you have the time, it’s fun to receive a package with the contents in colorful wrap—use tissue or glossy magazine pages to wrap up small items individually. Affix post-it notes with fun messages, riddles or knock knock jokes to each item. Number the items in the order they should be opened to make the entire process an activity. Regardless of how the package is sent, it will be a treat to be received.

What ideas do you have for camp care packages?