Not Your Mama's Camp Trunk

Southern women love to monogram and personalize everything. My husband has said that if it will sit still, I will monogram it. I cannot confirm or deny this. One of my favorite projects to work on are camp trunks. Camp is a big deal here in Texas. I don't know who loves it more: the kiddos or the parents. One camp essential is the camp trunk. You have to pack your camper with all the things they will need for one week and for some, four weeks. No fear, the trunk can take it!

I have ordered our trunks from Everything Summer Camp. I am not getting paid to advertise for them. I just love their products and recommend them to all my friends! At many camps, the trunk sits at the foot of the camper's bed and is their way to personalize their little chunk of space. So, personalization is a must! Here are a few of the trunks that I have painted through the years. For some reason, I have not photographed the trunks for boys. They are more "tame" than the girls. My boys like to put stickers on theirs. I have also used sports team pennants, camo, hunting and extreme sports for themes. 

The inside lid of the trunk is a great place to tape a family photo and a sweet note to your camper. I also put a packing list there, so that we hopefully we will return home with most of our things, and I include my number one rule of camp (after having the greatest time ever) "No wet things in your trunk!" Large ziplock bags are a camper mom's best friend. I pack theme night clothing and special outfits in them and label them accordingly.

A well-packed trunk makes me feel as though I can still take care of my babies when they are away from me. I envision them opening their trunks each day and feeling my love through the sweet note and the easy to find, well-labeled clothing. I know that the labels that I ironed on their undies will make their camp experience even better. This is what I tell myself, so that when we pick Sport up and get him home from two weeks of camp heaven and I open his trunk and find pretty much everything still clean and in the bags that I packed them in I won't go crazy. Yes, that has happened. When asked why only two pairs of socks seem to be the only ones worn for two weeks - "I didn't want to ruin them all." was the reply. When asked why only one set of sheets was dirty, "We didn't have time to change them. They feel kind of sandy though." Uugghh! In his defense, underwear was changed, showers were taken and more than one shirt was worn. Not sure about the toothbrush and I don't want to know. Sweet Pea usually does use everything. She would want me to say that. 

Happy camping!

Krissy

Camp Trunk Fun

Two of the mini-pearls spent two weeks at camp. They had a blast! They had to pack two weeks worth of their belongings into a footlocker trunk. That is no small feat! We won't mention the army of duffle bags and backpacks that they also packed. It's the trunk that counts and it makes their little bunk area feel like home. The trunk says, "This is my space!" I took this a little to the extreme, but the minis loved it and so have many of their friends, as I have been busy painting trunks for many others. This is a lot of fun for me and I like to get the campers involved with the design of their trunk. I think it helps get them get excited about going away, instead of anxious. The trunks also look great in their rooms once they are home, and provide storage that looks good, too. This is easy, peasy! Be sure to put at least three good coats of sealer on your masterpiece.

Happy Camping!

Krissy

Roughing It

I mentioned that Fisherman went to camp a week ago. He had an absolute ball. This was not the typical swim, play sports and do crafts kind of camp. This was strictly fly-fishing, fishing (there is a difference), bow, rifle and shotgun shooting, canoeing, kayaking and hunter certification camp. None of that frilly stuff. My boy roughed-it in the Texas Hill Country for a week.

This is the lodge Fisherman called "home" for the week. We were worried that it would be difficult for him to stay.

The inside of the Lodge wasn't much better. No comforts at all. This was the space where Fisherman and the other campers were expected to spend their quiet time each afternoon to get out of the heat. Yes, only the bare necessities.

This is the bunk room where my boy slept. Yes, it was going to be tough.

Fisherman actually used this apparatus more than his fly rod this week. I guess fire arms trump rods and reels. I can't imagine how much ammo the camp went through in a week. Fisherman, by the way, is an awesome shot. (I see scholarship money.)

The campers took a field trip to a taxidermist. Fisherman could not stop talking about all the mounts. I forgot to mention that if you are squeamish about dead animals, you might want to disregard this post.

Fisherman had a wonderful week. He won the "Outstanding New Camper" Award. We are always proud of him, but that was a big one for him! For some reason, he cannot wait to get back to camp next summer. I can't understand why.

xoxo,

Krissy

Flashback Friday - 80's Air Band

This picture really defies explanation, but I really did think I looked "cool" as I had my photo taken! This was MY summer camp experience! Oh,the good old 80's! This was for the camp "Talent Show" (huh?) my cabin and I did an "air band" to Ratt's "Round and Round". (Just what mom and dad sent me to camp to do!) The shirt I am wearing was my FAVORITE!!! So much so that I cut-off the sleeves to make it even more wonderful! The back of it had a rat, wearing surf shorts and it said "Surf Rat". How cute is that? I truly love the purple, triangle earrings and red beads. I have no comment on the teased hair and zinc oxide streaks or the white lips. No, no comment at all.

I will say, in my defense, I won the Honor Camper award for my cabin. I don't know if that says a lot about me or very little of my fellow cabin mates. We had fun though! Oh, we had fun!

80's air band - summer 1983

Rock on !

Krissy

Pine Cove Rocks!

Dropping-off Fisherman at Pine Cove Ranch.

Dropping-off Sweet Pea at Pine Cove Towers

Sweet Pea's "cabin"- Hogglestock - it looked liked a little castle!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Pine Cove camps and their ministries. The Fisherman and Sweet Pea went to east Texas to "sleep-away" camp at Pine Cove Towers and Ranch, earlier this summer. Fisherman was reluctant to go. He was afraid he wouldn't get enough fishing time and that he would be tired. (do you hear sad violins playing?) Sweet Pea was excited to go and ready for an extended stay! Both of them ended-up having a wonderful week! Mr. Pearl and I were impressed with their counselors! The spiritual maturity of these young men and women was AMAZING and their love and enthusiasm for the Lord and our children was contagious and awesome to see!




Fisherman and his counselor "Adaquaker Oatmeal"-love those silly names.


Sweet Pea's counselor -"Boom Diddity Boom"



Last week, Fisherman went to Lego robotics camp at TCU and Sweet Pea and Sport Cort had the opportunity to attend Pine Cove Base Camp at our church. WOW! Pine Cove has started Base Camp as a way to bring camp to children who can't make it to sleep away camp. Sport Cort said it was the best week of his entire life! Again, I was so impressed! I think Sweet Pea enjoyed sleep away camp more (who wouldn't BUT this was a close second). I had two exhausted kids on Friday afternoon. Sport Cort asked to take a nap on Saturday, and slept for two and a half hours! I don't think that has ever happened!


Sweet Pea and "Nonny your business"

Sport Cort and "Unobrow"



So, shout out to Pine Cove-it rocks!!!!