Real Troopers

Daisy Troop sends smiles and treats to soldiers

by CP and Bridget Huckabay

These young troopers from Normal Park learned about homesickness, service and smiles as they prepared a package for troops serving in Afghanistan.

Letters from home can feel like a lifeline for campers, especially important when children are away for the first time.  The thrill of hearing their name during mail call can add layers of success to the independence and self-reliance that children develop as campers.

Recently a local Daisy troop talked about being away from home and their leader decided to reverse the roles and give the scouts the opportunity to learn about homesickness from the other perspective.  Bridget Huckabay found a Quartermaster unit serving in Afghanistan and she and Daisy Troop 40552 sent a Valentine’s party in a box to 25 soldiers serving 7,000 miles away.

The girls made Valentine’s, baked cookies and packed balloons and decorations for the soldiers while they found the 623rd Company’s location on a map.  Seeing how far away the soldiers were from their family members taught the scouts valuable lessons.  Learning about the toll that service takes on soldiers and their families made the work meaningful for the Daisy troop and the girls were all smiles when they got a picture of their new friends enjoying their party.

These soldiers from the 623rd QM serving in Afghanistan enjoyed their "party in a box" from a Tennessee Daisy Troop.

Sending your camper a package

While summer camp rules vary regarding packages and gifts everyone enjoys letters and postcards and experts recommend keeping messages upbeat, newsy and encouraging.  Not all camps allow packages with candy or baked goods and most camps recommend sending money directly to the camp business office.  Books, cards, miniature board games, frisbees, comic books and other games are all things that your camper can enjoy and share with their cabin-mates.

As you plan for your child’s camp experience consider following the example of Normal Park’s Daisy troop and send a care package to a unit form your area.  One of your local military reserve offices will be able to give you a name and APO shipping address for a soldier in a unit from your area.  Ask for an email address so that you can customize your box but we’ve included a few suggestions.

The USPS offers free flat rate shipping materials and you can call 1-800-610-8734 to ask for a military shipping kit.  Packages over 16 ounces require a Customs form 2976-A that is available at your local post office.

Baked goods and chocolate can be perishable but Marc Owens of the 623rd Company says that peanut butter M&M’s are very popular.  Other popular items include:

Food:

Beef Jerky

Coffee

Sunflower/Pumpkin Seeds

Granola Bars

Protein Powder

Powder Drink Mixes

Entertainment:

Frisbees

Yo-Yo’s

iTunes Gift Cards

Pens, Pencils, Stationery

Batteries

Books

Card/Card Games

Personal Comfort:

Sunblock

Bug Spray

Baby Wipes

Hand Sanitizer

Eye Drops

Lip Balm

Multi-Vitamins