Care Packages From Home

When I first heard the Villages’ “no food items” care package policy (adopted in consideration of villagers with allergy concerns), I immediately felt the pressure.   What do you send to a kid at camp when you can’t do the old standby: homemade chocolate chip cookies? 

Since I helped my daughters prepare and pack for camp, I knew that they wouldn’t run out of anything during their two-week sessions.  And, since I’m hopelessly practical, the thought of sending thingamajigs and whosiwatsits just to be sending something doesn’t sit well with me, either. 

So I wondered, what could I possibly send them that they could use, that wouldn’t weigh down their luggage for their return trip home, that would be reasonably priced, and – most of all – that they would like?   As other villager parents have done, I eventually figured it out and sent them items that were much more useful and memorable to them than a box of munchies would have been.

Now, as a parent of two five-year villagers, I thought it might be helpful to new villager parents if I shared my list of care package standards I’ve developed over the years.  Some are girl-centered, but all should serve as idea triggers for other parents to think about what their children would enjoy while at the Villages.

These ideas are by no means exhaustive.  If you have ideas you’d like to share with other parents, click here.  I've started a list at the bottom of this page.

Notepads, Stationery and Pens
A great item that you can buy at the dollar store – and a not-so-subtle way of encouraging a letter from your child – is notepads, stationery, and pens.  I find that if I buy a matching set of paper and envelopes (matching colors or designs), I increase my chances of getting a letter on this gift by nearly 50 percent.  Throw in a cool pen of some unique design, and we have an all-around winner.

Games
Remember jacks?  Or dominoes?  It’s good for kids to “unplug” and play games that don’t require electricity, and these games are ideal for camp: they don’t take up a lot of space and they won’t blow away on a windy day.  I would suggest playing these with kids a few times over the months before they head off to the Villages (family bonding!), then surprising them with a new game/set at camp.  In an age where a lot of games are single player or Internet-based multiple player, these games encourage real-time, in-person interaction between people.   It’s good for them – and whether they want to admit it or not, they’ll enjoy it, too.

Honorable Mention
Country maps (Sweden for Swedish Language Village, Argentina for Spanish, etc.)
Comic books in the Village language, if you can find them
Magnifying glasses or binoculars
Bubbles (the kind you blow in the air)
Disposable cameras
Address books
Sketch pads, pencils, sharpener

Final Note
The most important part of sending a care package is getting it sent.  The first couple of days (while they’re still shy or nervous) can be made much more pleasant by a package or letter from home.  I’ve even mailed packages the same day I dropped my daughters at camp because I know that rural mail service can take up to two days longer than usual.   

Ideas from Other Parents and Villages Alumni
"When I was little and went to Skogfjorden...my parents sent family pictures in a scrapbook of my ancestors, who came from Norway, and a story about them...Now I send my kids little books with pictures of friends and family."  Skogfjorden Girl

"Knowing that there are dances at the Village, I like to send items for my children to share with their cabinmates to set their group apart from the others.  I have sent Mardi Gras beads, glow bracelets and necklaces, sweatbands and leis.  My children enjoy sharing these treats with their new friends." Mary

"An alternate idea: send temporary tattoo stickers." Claudia

These ideas are great!  Keep them coming!  Send your ideas by clicking here.

clv@cord.edu
(800) 222-4750