Hello Muddah, hello Fadduh,
Here I am at Camp Granada.
Camp is very entertaining.
And they say we’ll have some fun if it stops raining.
Allan Sherman
Camp time! Your kids, your god-kids, your best friend’s kids, your nieces and nephews… name tapes are sewn in (do they do that anymore?)…trunks are packed (does anyone still use trunks?)…will they supply sunscreen? What about extra Band-Aids, the ipod, pre-stamped postcards? Remember bunk jealousies and instantly deep friendships, competitive sports, sneaking out at night? Remember the care packages sent from home, those wonderful surprises to divert, comfort and share? Here are some ideas:
eeBoo Diary – For all those dreams and crushes, secret homesickness, camp songs,stuff learned about butterflies, boat adventures…classic diaries 5 ¼” x 6 ½” – 300 lined pages, with or without locks; really pretty covers.$10.95 – $12.95 eeBoo’s Thoughtful Girl – More than a place for ideas and feelings- 144 pages: 100 note pages, 16 perforated stationery sheets that fold into envelopes (subtle message), two sheets of stickers, and a log for addresses of new friends $ 7.95 eeBoo
Mini Binoculars – Made for adults but great for young burgeoning scientists and explorers and likely to make their owner extremely popular, even with the counselor. They fold up to 2.5” x 3.5”. Fit into a 4” x 3: case and cargo pant pockets or knapsacks. Adjustable neck cord. Easily adjustable focus, Rubber eye protectors. $34.99 1st Stop Travel Store
Deluxe Summer Fun Camp Care Package- When you can buy salad in a bag, you know there are going to be companies that put care packages together for you. Here’s one that can entertain the whole bunk: balloon launcher, Frisbee, mini squirt guns, rubber band bracelets, swim goggles, glider airplanes, temporary tattoos, bubbles and wand, rainbow yo-yo, rubber ball, tie-die beach ball, football with tail, glow in the dark bracelets. Especially if it rains, they’re set. $ 59.99 Other combinations available. Gourmet Gift Baskets
Wind-up Musical Kaleidoscope – Old fashioned tin kaleidoscope-some things are just evergreen. Wind it up and a rainbow of color chips twirls in sync with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Just point towards light. Remember your first time with this wonder? 8 ½” L Ages 3+ Hearthsong
Cabin Autograph Pillowcase- Standard 100% cotton pillowcase comes with 2 permanent markers for autographs, thoughts, wishes, and promises shared. A summer keepsake. $15.99 Shopatron
All the counselors hate the waiters
And the lake has alligators.
And the head coach wants no sissies,
So he reads to us from something called Ulysses.
D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths – Before there was “Harry Potter,” the myths captured imaginations. Gods and goddesses of ancient Greece squabbling, battling, loving, longing, and getting comeuppance in fantastical ways. Read under the covers or by counselors. 8 &” x 12”. Paper. Fully illustrated. Ages 8+ Met Museum Children’s Books
Blue Ribbon Lollipop & Brain Lollipop- These are really cool! Send enough for the whole bunk. Blue Ribbon is 3.75” of blueberry flavored winner- Color War, an archery contest, a race, a tennis match—there’s always something to celebrate winning. The 1.75” sour apple Brain is particularly fun for boys where the yech! factor is actually appealing. Zombies anyone?! Each lollipop $2.99 Perpetual Kid
Supersized Light Doodler – Draw with light beams! Circles of tiny light bulbs leave paths of radiant light. Included microphone actually directs patterns in accordance with sound. Don’t ask me how, ask your kid. Favorite configurations can even be saved. Turns itself off after ten minutes. Lights Out won’t be dull anymore. 8 & $ 29.98 Hearthsong
Cabin Fever Tank- A little something to spruce up mid-stay doldrums when she’s bored with everything you’ve packed, trading, borrowing, and longing to parade in something new. Sizes 5/6, 7/8, 10/12 100% cotton ribbed jersey with ruffled hem & contrast stitching $ 16.99 Shopatron
Giant Rainbow Markers- This is a great set for encouraging expression with enough colors so friends can all draw at the same time. Send with a big pad and possibly pre stamped envelopes. Suggest sending pictures home instead of words, keeping a visual diary, creating a memory book. 12 ½” x 24 ½” carrying case. 100% acid free, nontoxic markers. $27.95 Met Museum Art Supplies
Dinosaur Lime Lunchpack- This is sooo funky and original. He or she can take it hiking or on a day trip filled with all the necessities from baseball cap to camera, from ipod to mosquito repellent-well, all kids are different! Leather exterior. Takes a beating. Hand wash. 10” x 8” x 5”. There are bigger packs=knapsacks in spikey, reptilian black or pink. Super for going back to school too. $27.99 Perpetual Kid
Now I don’t want this should scare ya,
But my bunk mate has malaria.
You remember Jeffrey Hardy.
They’re about to organize a searching party.
Personalized Mermaid Towel – Your very own Ariel can be princess of the beach or pool in a terrycloth tail. Practical, pretty, and ready for playacting. 34” x 60” with a tail! Maximum 12 character name embroidered on tail – allow for 2 weeks. Machine wash; cotton. Color choice. $58.00 Chasing Fireflies
Big Bubble Set – 12” wand makes ginormous bubbles to watch, chase, or pop. Who doesn’t love bubbles?! Each set comes with solution, 2 wands and solution tray. $6.99 U.S. Toy
Micro Spy Kit- Aspiring James Bonds will enjoy creating threatening scenerios in which to play hero, tracking counselors, secretly taking out the enemy. Spy Belt includes: magnetic claw, motion alarm, spy wallet, decoder scope, micro shooter 6 & $ 26.95 Fat Brain Toys.
Scribbles: A Really Giant Drawing and Coloring Book- This terrific volume encourages imagining by finishing drawings, following suggestions, doodling, illustrating. Includes puzzles, games, cut-out crafts. Great for creative thinking. 8 ¼” x 11” 368 pages of line drawings/activities. $ 19.99 Met Museum Children’s Books
MeBands- If you’re around a young girl, you probably already know about these. 50 Different personalized expressions on thermal plastic bracelets expressing the mood of the day, personal style; non-verbal communication. Generally worn in multiples, the trendy accessories say things like: OMG, ADDICTED TO TEXTING,” ROCKSTAR, OVER IT, BFF, OBSESSED and more. The most popular one with a group of ten year old tester girls turned out to be “NERD.” Go figure. Look-boys too! $1.99 Inexpensive and unbreakable!
Oppo Rings (Opposites Attract): Hot/Not, Nice/Naughty, Crush/Crushed, Sweet/Sour- 36 different designs. $1.99@ For stacking, trading, and trending. At Walmart, Walgreens & Toys R Us
Dearest Fadduh, darling Muddah,
How’s my precious little Bruddah?
Let me come home if you miss me.
I would even let Aunt Bertha hug and kiss me.
Little Rascal Camp Care Package- It sure is! Mostly traditional silly stuff with special appeal to boys. Includes: Dartboard with safe rubber tips, classic arcade card game for 2 to 4 players, mad libs, mega z cards (creative building toy), classic “pick up sticks” in a wooden crate, giant light-up flying saucer, whoopee cushion, weird and wacky school daze book, severed rope magic trick, and “fart” putty for that dignified touch. $ 37.00 http://camp-care-packages.eswak.com
Aerobie Squidgie Flying Disc- A Frisbee with a “spoiler rim” helps inexperienced players get better, smoother flights. If you could throw it for them, you would. This is the next best thing. Floats in water. (In case…) 8” diameter. Many colors. $5.99 Giddy Gift Box
Diva’s Delight- If she’s 10 going on 25, reads the labels of her clothing, emulates rock and Disney star outfits, dreams of style blogging, this is purrrfect. Bling Blossom book pillow with journal inside, Malarky board/card game, the latest copy of Teen Vogue, 6 color glitter eye shadow compact, Design-a-band bracelet, 2 spa essentials sachets, and a “Love” 5 color lip gloss compact. $ 50.00 http://camp-care-packages.eswak.com
Wait a minute, it stopped hailing.
Guys are swimming, guys are sailing.
Playing baseball, gee that’s better.
Muddah, Fadduh, kindly disregard this letter!
