Summer Camp Care Packages

Every summer our daughter goes to summer camp. She looks forwardto it every year. I can't believe next summer will be her lastopportunity to go to camp before she goes off to college.

Our daughter started going to summer camp when she was in middleschool and has gone every year since. She finally graduated fromcamper and kitchen help to camp counselor this year. Every year Isend her a care package with candy and other treats and shealways looks forward to receiving it.

Our daughter just returned from spending two weeks on a ministrytrip to Honduras, was home for one day, and then is going off tochurch camp for a week. I knew we wouldn't have much time to talkbetween trips, so I decided to write letters to her to send toher at camp.

I wrote to her about some of my day-to-day activities and aboutwhat she was missing in the news. I wrote about Hurricane Dennisand how worried I was for her so far away from home. I told hershe was always in my prayers and how much I missed her.

Just in the two weeks she was gone she missed her baby brother'shair falling out and her brothers' first colds. I knew she missedher baby brothers very much and missed their baby hugs andkisses. I told her about what they were doing and that theymissed her too.

Because we like to spend a lot of time talking about ourspiritual lives, I shared with her what I had been learning in mydaily devotions and shared what my prayers were for her.

I wrote three letters to my daughter to open on different daysand included pictures of her brothers that she likes to carryaround with her wherever she goes. I packaged up the letters withsome candy and sent her care package off to her today.

If you decide to write to your child at camp, here are a fewtips:

* If your children are young and this is their first time awayfrom home, make sure to send several letters to let them knowyou're thinking about them and that you miss them.

* Have other family members write to your child also. Kids loveto receive mail.

* If you have a child who would be embarrassed by letters fromhome, just send a care package with some of their favorite candyor other small items. One year I sent my daughter a pair ofSponge Bob boxer briefs, and they were the hit of the camp.

* Be creative with your packing. You can use a 2-liter pop bottleas a mailing container. Cut a slit in the side to place items init and then tape over the slit. The kids will get a kick out ofseeing what's in the bottle.

* Depending on how long it takes the mail to get to the camp orhow long your child will be gone, you may have to mail thepackage the day your child leaves, or even before they leave.

* If you know any of the other kids at camp, like your child'sclosest friends, don't be afraid to send them a note or treattoo. I often send thinking-of-you cards to some of my daughter'sfriends, and I know they love receiving mail from people otherthan their parents.

In this day and age, letter writing is becoming a dying art. Ifmy daughter keeps the letters I wrote her someday they will be aspecial keepsake for her, capturing an exciting time in her life.

We don't always take the time to do little things for our kids ortell them how we feel about them. Writing to them at camp is agreat way to keep in touch with them while also sending them awelcome treat.

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For moreinspirational articles and tips for everyday living, visit herweb sites at http://www.creativehomemaking.com andhttp://www.christian-parent.com