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Posted by Augie Lankford ● Wed, Jun 04, 2014 @ 11:06 AM

Camp Tips: Sending Mail To Your Camper

Pecometh Blog | Sending Mail to Your Camper

One of the highlights of the camp day is when mail is passed out at lunch. Receiving mail is part of the class camp experience. Nowadays, hearing from the "outside world" takes on a whole new significance for kids who are used to being constantly connected. 

We think that trading in cell phones and social media for actual reality and in-person community is one of the benefits of being at camp.

On the other hand, we know that you and your campers want to stay connected, so here are answers to some questions you may have:

Can I email my child?

You can't email your child from your personal email address, but you should have received information about using Bunk1 to view camp photos and send emails. That info is also available on our Forms, Photos & Camper Mail. If you need the invitation code, please check the Bunk1 information email, or reach out to us!

Each morning we receive the email messages from the previous 24 hours. We print them out, fold them, and distribute them with the mail at lunch. 

Just to be safe, send your last email by Thursday night to make sure your camper receives it on Friday morning. 

Also, please note that campers will not be able to email you back.

How should I address letters to my camper?

How often do kids get actual mail these days? Sending cards and letters is a novelty these days, and a great way to make your kid's camp experience that much better. 

You might be wondering how we make sure mail gets to the correct campers. We sort mail by cabin, so it's important to put your child's camp program and cabin in the address.

We can absolutely look up campers by name to track down their cabin, but to be safe follow the example in the photo at the top. 

Bear in mind that the USPS is still experiencing some delays. Mail that arrives before a camper's session will be saved until the appropriate week. Mail that arrives after your camper has left camp will be returned to the sender. 

How much mail should I send?

Some parents send a letter or two during the week, and up to one or two pieces of mail per day is appropriate. 

It is important to keep in mind that some campers don't get much mail during the week, so you may want to hold off of sending your camper stacks of mail each day. If you're really gung-ho about sending lots of mail, you could even send letters or cards to the whole cabin. 

What should I say (and NOT say) in my letters?

Remember that mail from home can remind campers that they are still connected to their family even while away at camp. So tell your camper what you've been up to, remind him to wear sunscreen, and tell her you can't wait to hear all about the fun she's been having. 

On the other hand, it's probably best not to include news that will make your camper wish she or she was at home. Upsetting news (like the death of a grandparent or even a pet) should wait until you can tell your camper in person. 

If your camper is homesick, you may be tempted to ask how he's doing and remind him that he can come home early if he wants. That is a sure-fire way to spark your camper's homesickness, even if he was feeling fine all day!

Instead, focus on all the fun your camper is having at camp. Tell her that you can't wait to hear all about it on Friday, and remind her how proud you are that she's learning to be independent! Focusing on the positive goes a long way to helping campers work through their homesickness.  

What other tips and tricks should I be aware of?

Here are a few suggestions for making the most of camper mail:

To make sure campers get one letter a day, some parents send all the mail earlier in the week, but note on the envelope what day they want their camper to receive it. There are no guarantees, but our staff will do their best to follow those instructions. 

Some parents include fun things like news articles, word searches, and coloring pages in letters to their campers. 

If other family members are writing notes, remind them that younger campers (and some older ones) can't read cursive writing. 

Send a letter from your camper's pet - these are entertaining for campers and staff alike! 

Still have a question? Reach out to us via the Contact Us form. 

Topics: Camp

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