A Little Sweet, A lot of Love
Oct 08 '00
Both my son and daughter have for several years attended week-long camps sponsored by different organizations. Only one camp restricted the receipt of food items due to the proximity of bears (one might think the bears would find our little munchkins tastier than a Hershey's bar - go figure).
In all cases, I found that for a one or two week camp, one package was enough. We usually mailed the package on the first day of camp in order for it to arrive on the last week day...just about the time the homesickness kicks in hard. I usually bake up a batch of chocolate chip walnut cookies and pack them in popcorn with a note that all should be shared with counselors and cabin mates. I never received and complaints.
Of course, it is sugar. Although my children never were the kind who "got wound up" on sugar (I've seen many anecdotal reports of children who "get wired" on sugar, I've read little medical research that supports that theory). But all children are different (...my kids don't have much in the way of allergies, either, so perhaps that's related), and you know your kids better than anyone else. If your child acts inappropriately when he or she eat sugar, by all means, send apples or a deck of cards. It really matters most that they receive "something" from home.... a bit of proof that we are still there.
More important than cookies, apples or even cards, are the letters! Two (light-hearted!) letters early in the week and one note in with the package are usually enough to let the kiddos know that there really is a world outside the camp that will be there when they head back home.
One caveat - no letters claiming "I miss you terribly" or "things are so lonely here without you". They don't need a guilt trip, and the counselor's don't need the homesickness/depression tears. Better to keep it light and humorous - "Fuzzy Cat did the darndest thing today, he caught a snake, but didn't kill it and dropped it right at mom's feet while she was watering the flowers...you should have seen her jump!" And keep it short, a page is enough to let them know you are thinking of them - they really don't have a lot of free time, anyway.
Camp can be overwhelming for the very young, but from about age nine upward, camp should be a fun and exciting experience. Let your "package from home" supplement that experience with a little sweet and a lot of love.
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Epinions.com ID:
robndea
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Member: C. Deane Campbell
Location: Chehalis, WA
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Forty-something mother of two, computer support technician, nature preserve inhabitant (that would be sarcasm).
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