This summer will be my daughter’s first time away from home for more than one night. While I know she will have the best time and that she will be in good hands, I also know she must have some anxiety about being away from us – the unknown of not knowing all the girls and experiencing things she may have never been exposed to before. I read in our parent information packet that we are able to send care packages. We can even hand them over at drop off! I love thinking of ways to make my children feel special, and even more than that, I enjoy executing those ideas.
I remember my weeks spent at summer camp, and how special it felt to hear the head counselor call my name during “mail call.” Conversely, the days my name was not called I felt disappointed and left out. I want to make sure she has a letter and or small token of our love each day she is at camp.
I hopped on Amazon and may have gone a bit overboard adding items to my cart that I thought would make her week there a little more special. My criteria for care package gifts were these two things: 1) something she could use or do while at camp 2) something she could share with her fellow campers 3) something that would brighten her day and put a smile on her face.
Here is my list, in no particular order (affiliate links included for which I may receive compensation):
- A deck of cards. For downtime when girls are just hanging out in their tent or cabin.
- Clue, the card game. She had so much fun playing Clue with her camp friend last time they were together, that this just made sense.
- Uno (pocket size) so cute and fun!
- Camping Mad Libs. My girl loves Mad Libs so I couldn’t resist grabbing these for her. Added bonus? These tear out and fold into postcards that can be mailed home!
- A beach ball. Something fun to hit around with friends at the pool.
- Splash balls. She can play with these during pool time at camp. There are enough in this pack to share with friends.
- Mini legal pad. So she can write to us, or write or draw anything else she might like.
- Cute Stationery and Envelopes. Pre-addressed and stamped so sending us letters is easy, and hopefully more desirable. Our child is going to horse camp and the horses on the cards are gorgeous! How fun it would be to get mail from your child at this age?
- This cat night light, is battery-powered and changes colors. How cute is this?? It can be pitch-black dark in those tents and cabins at night!
- Camping LED Lantern. Easier to power on and more practical than the little cat; multiple brightness settings.
- Glow bracelets. I was going to get glow necklaces, but they were too long to fit in the bubble mailers I bought, even the larger ones.
- Her favorite gum. The parent guide stated clearly we could not send food, but made no mention of gum.
- A misting fan. Some of the days can be brutally hot.
I hope this list of care package ideas has been helpful and has inspired you. Check out my list of Summer Camp Essentials to help your child have the best possible camping experience.
Essentially Better Living 