Care Packages for Kids at Sleep Away CAMP

When your kids are away for the summer at sleep away camp what do you do?  Well, besides missing them terribly and finally getting to watch whatever you want on tv??  You send them care packages!  I have come up with a list of great ideas of what to send to in care packages to kids at sleep away camp!

During my teens and early 20’s I spent 9 amazing summers at sleep away camp. Oh I loved when we would take out the stinky old army green duffle bags from the attic and begin our endeavor of packing everything for sleep away camp into those two duffles.  It never worked!  There were ALWAYS many many, more bags, boxes and things that I couldn’t possibly live without for 8 weeks at camp!

Aside from the typical shirt, shorts, sneakers and underwear; when you send your child off to camp there are a bunch of camp needs that you might not know about.  Since sending snacks and candy is off limits at most camps I thought I would share a list of fun things to pack into care packages for kids at Sleep Away Camp!

 

Care Packages for Kids at Sleep Away Camp

1- A FAN!  In my days we would bring clip on fans for the side of our beds.  I remember on hot days spending all of rest hour just laying in my bed with my face pointed at the fan

2- Hair Chalk Pens by ALEX BRANDS – Back in my day at camp the girls would color their hair with Kool-Aid in a hot pot.  YES, Kool-Aid and although it sort of worked I wouldn’t suggest it.  I won’t get into the hot pot in the sink episode when one of my campers almost electrocuted herself!!  SO….Hair Chalk Pens are a MUCH safer way kids to express themselves with fun hair colors and without the risk of getting hurt.  

 

3-Travel Art Set ALEX BRANDS-  This is a new favorite in my house!!!!  Campers need downtime, quiet time and time to write letters home to their friends and family!  Sending your little camper and Art Set gives them easy access to supplies at all times.  Rainy days spent in the bunch can turn into hours of endless art projects and writing letters home.  Tip: anything that encourages sending letters home is great because kids tend to have a lot of fun and forget to write home!

4- Sunglasses- Everyone could always us and extra pair of sunglasses!!  I remember losing mine all the time at camp (and now too) so why not surprise your kids with new pair shades

5-Ultimate Friendship Bracelet Party by ALEX BRANDS– Sleep Away Camp is all about fostering friendships and teaching kids some responsibilities.  Gifting friends friendship bracelets is all part of the camp experience.  I would spend hours and hours creating lanyard jewelry for my friends at camp.  The Ultimate Friendship Bracelet Party included 20 colors of floss, beads, looms and easy instructions.

6- Ultimate Tattoo Glitter Part from Alex Toys– Kids love expressing themselves and glitter tattoos are a fun and easy to share with their friends!

7- Pool Toys by Swimways– How about sending your kids some fun pool toys.  Most campers swim 1-2 times a day in the pool and bringing in some toys might make for a little more summer fun.  This float springs open and closes for simple storage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8- Polaroid Camera-  Kids love taking photos and selfless with friends.  Help them capture these memories forever with a Polaroid Camera.

 

9- My Sweet Scrapbook by ALEX BRANDS-   I love the idea of kids creating their own memory keepers!  If you send them a Polaroid Camera then a scrapbook set will let them put memories down on paper to keep forever!!  It’s a great craft idea for when they need some quiet and down time or to keep time occupied on a rainy day.  Also, why not start the first page filled with some photos from home to send some extra love

 

10- A Flashlight- Flashlights are a must at camp and just like sunglasses, they seem to get lost a lot!  Sending a flashlight is always a good idea! This battery-powered, “personal size” lantern runs up to 15 hours on three AAA batteries, and stays cool to the touch

 
11- Crazy 8s, War, Fish and Old Maid– Perfect for indoor fun, downtime and a fun way to pass the time playing card games with friends!

Also….don’t forget to send letters!!  Although I was never great at writing to my mom I did LOVE when she would write to me!!

Check out my Pinterest Board for more ideas!

Follow Sarah’s board Care Packages for Sleep Away Camp on Pinterest.

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Disclosure:  I was provided with product to review for this post.  All the opinions and ideas are my own!!

 

ABOUT ALEX BRANDS

As a family of brands, ALEX BRANDS^TM includes some of the most iconic names in the toy industry, including ALEX TOYS®, POOF®, SLINKY®, SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER®, IDEAL®, ZOOB® and BACKYARD SAFARI™, ZILLIONZ™ and CitiBlocs™. From classic, timeless toys and games to open-ended activities that emphasize children’s developmental needs. ALEX BRANDS^TM lends itself to a lifestyle of creative and active play.