Camp America Survival Kit : Help and Suggestions needed :D

Giggles_Fairy

Hi everyone,

One of my best friends is off to America to work on a summer camp in Philidelphia for the summer (three months) and as a going away gift I want to do her a survival kit! However my brain doesnt seem to be working very well at the minute so I wondered if anyone else had any ideas of what I could include. She drawn quite lucky in that they actually arent in tents but rather in the student accomodation at the university.

Background to the person: Shes quite scatty, very chatty, alittle bit of a scatterbrain sometimes, highly sentimental and loyal, going to a performing arts camp, oh and shes hopeless in the sun (got sunstroke on a semi warm day in the uk hahaa) does anyone know what philidelphia weather is like?

As always budget is tight, so low cost items are great

So far Ive thought of:
Getting a shoe box and decorating with pics out of travel brochure as the box
Antibacterial hand gel : Dont want her catching germs and being ill the whole time and ruining the experience (already got this)
Sachets of ketchup and brown sauce: Homecomfort! (Figure I could get these from a cafe when I next go in)
Small picture frame with our picture in : So she doesnt forget what I look like hahaha (already have this, purchased long time ago to give as a gift and never did, its eyeore and says 'The best thing about wishes is that they can come true' at top and Someone Special at the bottom)
A sealed letter from each of her close friends to open at her lesuire when shes feeling a little homesick (did this for another friend who went to australia for three months)
Potnoodle : As shes an awful cook (managed to cook chicken noodles, without noodles)
Little notepad : to keep track of all her new friends names, address, phone nos etc (I know most people use their phone but she looses hers monthly)
Pre-printed stickers with names/addresses on of people she might want to send a postcard to : Easy for her then, and also means I get a postcard haha (did this for the australia friend as well)
Total Block : As she burns like a lobster as mentioned previously (this is under presumption it will be hot?)

Anything else anyone can think of? Ive got a while yet but want to start getting bits and bobs as I go along so its not a last minute dash!

GF x

diable

A bottle of Vodka, she'll need it ;p

sarahpowell

How about:
* A journal so she can document her experience.
* Some pro plus!
* A whistle to keep the kids under control
* Ear plugs for those mometns when its gets to much

Sorry just a couple of things I can think of at the moment.

Sarah

DaisyMoo

What about a modern take on the mixed tape?!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-MINI-Clip-MP3-Player-Support-4GB-Micro-SD-TF-Card-/120558641289?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Players&hash=item1c11dae089

This is listed for £3.86 with free p&p
you could put together some music that you guys party to and it can remind her of your fun nights out together when she is away?
or..
You could record messages / songs / jokes etc from family and friends and upload it to the mp3 player so she can always hear a familiar voice if she gets homesick.

Emmypenny

A wide brimmed hat should help prevent sun stroke!

My friend did Camp America and was surprised to see "rubber thongs" listed on the recommended packing list. Turned out it was flop flops and not kinky underwear that they were referring to!

Giggles_Fairy

Thanks everyone there some brilliant ideas!

Sarah: ooooh pro plus, that completely slipped my mind! She will definately be needing those! I love your other ideas too.

Diable: three months attempting to teach hyperactive american children to sing, dance and act? Yup I think she will deifnately need some vodka your right hahaha Good job shes over 21!

Daisy Moo: Oooh im liking mix tape idea. Think I will start brainstorming song ideas.

EmmyPenny: You see my friend would not only be surprised but is silly enough to actually go buy the rubber thong hahaha Infact I think I best go through her recommended packing list with her, make sure she understands the american slang! Shes not one for thinking logically either.

If you get anymore brainwaves let me know

Emmypenny

A couple of extra things that come to mind after your conversation with Diable - Maybe some sort of wallet for her passport. Even if she's well over 21 it's likely that she'll be ID-ed if she does go out drinking in bars so having a passport wallet with a chain to clip to her bag might be a good idea.

Also how is she going to get the parcel? You'll probably need to check if you're allowed to take or post quantities of alcohol (as it's flammable) and whether there is a limit to how much. Perhaps a couple of minitures would be best!

Giggles_Fairy

Oh emmyPenny they are fab ideas again! Good idea about some kind of contraption to make sure she doesnt loose her passport. They are so hot on ID like you said and shes 23 so only just over the 21 legal age so she will get asked.

Im going to give her the survival kit at her going away night out. Not sure yet whether to tell her to open it there or when she gets there (but will tell her to pack it in her case if I decide on this). Although minitures sounds a little more MSE hahaha

I was hoping to get something America themed for her too, as thats where she is going. Even better if its was Philidelphia. Cant think of anything at the minute except maybe a must do guide of the local area for her time off?

Oh just thought maybe a guide to american slang? And thats something I could just print off on my computer to make her giggle

minimoneysaver

I did Au Pair in America 15 years ago and a friend of mine bought me this book
Culture Shock America £7.40 from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/United-States-America-Culture-Shock/dp/0761455035/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273266836&sr=8-2
The information was so helpful for me. Letters are fantastic and only take a couple of days to cross the pond. Keep them coming! Your friend will really appreciate them. How about pictures of your local area? It's nice when you are having a moment to think about home. Silly things, like your high street, fav pub, park, shops etc. Can be fun to share with new American friends. Maybe put them in a small album for her?

crazy_girl

i lived in the states for a short while and they love anything english or british so perhaps you could put some stuff like that in to create a talking point with the americans. e.g. they dont do conkers and really loved being taught how to do it! (''why are you putting horse chestnuts on a shoe lace?!'')

motherhen2234

Pro Plus and a whistle may help with dealing with kids! Pack her some chocolate and British sweets as you can't get them in America or any other specific treat she likes. Think the mix tape is a great idea as it can really personal to you both. Might be worth checking out your nearest pound shop or similar as there starting to get lots of england themed stuff due to the world cup. You might get something silly/cheesy/cute in there.