Preparing to send your children to a summer camp can bring up many emotions both for the children and parents. Many children look forward to their upcoming adventure, while some feel nervous with not knowing what to expect. While preparing your children for their summer camp adventure, a fun family activity would be to throw them a mini bon voyage party. This party is a great way to help build their excitement and ease some of the nervousness they may be experiencing.
Bon Voyage Party Decorations – To set the scene for an outdoorsy party, you can incorporate small decorative items resembling things you may find in the outdoors. This could include plastic plants and vines, wooden serving trays, plastic picnic tablecloths, lanterns, flashlights, stuffed wilderness animals, plastic bugs and twigs. Your party could be held in your own backyard, in a nearby park or even inside your own home.
Bon Voyage Party Food – To prepare your little ones for some of the delicious camp cuisine they will soon be enjoying at camp, you can serve items such as hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, corn on the cob and trail mix. To indulge your sweet tooth, treats such as cupcakes, s’mores, gummy fish (labelled “Catch of the Day”) and chocolate pudding with crushed chocolate cookies on top and gummy worms hidden in the middle (labelled “Dirt Cups”) are excellent additions to your buffet table.
Bon Voyage Party Gifts – There are many practical and fun items that you can give your children as they prepare for their summer camp adventure.
These items include:
• A new backpack
• “This belongs to” tags for personal items
• A journal to record their adventures
• A disposable camera to capture some great memories they can share with you when they return
• Personalized note paper along with self-addressed and stamped envelopes so they can send their friends and family mail from camp
• Personalized luggage tags
• A contact list with any phone numbers or special numbers they may need (health card, doctor’s information, etc.)
• Travel mug and insulated snack bag
Bon Voyage Party Activities
Sharing memories – Did you attend summer camps as a child? Do you have photos of your adventures? A fun activity would be to share some of your old memories and photos. It’s a great way to help build excitement for your child’s upcoming trip.
Packing – Most summer camps provide a specific list for items to pack, although your children may have a few items that they insist on taking with them as well (such as a favorite teddy). Helping your children pack and label their items is a great way to spend some one-on-one time together to talk about any fears or excitement they may be feeling as they get ready for camp.
Fishing – Do you have a plastic or inflatable pool? You can use a magnetic fishing rod and fish to practice your fisherman skills while sharing a few giggles.
Hosting a fun Summer Camp Bon Voyage Party is a great way to spend more bonding time together before the camping trip. What will you do with all your spare time while they are away? Well, you could always start planning their coming home party!
Cheryl is a married mother of one. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a strong interest in parties and event planning. She is the owner and writer for Moms & Munchkins (www.momsandmunchkins.ca), which is filled with ideas for family fun, activities for kids, party ideas, party planning tips, holiday fun, moms’ night out ideas and more. For more information about The CreativiDee Workshop, visit www.creativideeworkshop.com
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