Using Time Wisely

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Packing for Summer Camp

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Packing for Summer Camp

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Though my little ones are too young for summer camp, many are getting ready for a week of fun away from home. In preparing to travel to a land with fresh air, running water, and plenty of activities, Good Housing offers 15 Thing to Pack for Camp.

Though I would bypass the first aid kit, if a camp nurse is on-call, I agree with this list of necessities for a comfortable camp week. In using time wisely, I would add the following to the list:

Free Samples

In requesting freebies and samples, camp is a wonderful opportunity to use those toothpaste, shampoo, soap, body wash, deodorant, makeup, hand sanitizer, and sunscreens samples.

Plastic Bags

Having been a camp counselor, I remember weeks where it rained every day. Keeping clothing dry was impossible. To prepare for wet clothes and towels coming home, pack a large plastic garbage bag or a number of plastic grocery bags. This way, the plastic bag prevents mildew from growing inside your child’s suitcase.

Notes of Love

From the time I was a junior camper through high school camp, my mom hid little notes throughout my luggage to remind me that she loved me. I still remember the little note I got wet because she hid it in my soap container that I opened in the shower. I was really disappointed that I could not read it, but I will never forget those tokens of love.

When I got homesick, those little notes reminded me of home and encouraged my heart. One day, when my own children head to camp, I plan to pass down these little notes of encouragement as my tokens of love for them.

Packing for summer camp is exciting. By adding free samples, plastic bags, and notes of love along with the other essential items, your camper will arrive ready for fun. Happy packing!

Question: What would you add to or drop from the list?

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 1 of 5

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Summer picnic and barbecue - planning your menu

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

As I sit in a comfortable air-conditioned room writing this post, my outside garden is feeling the full weight of the summer heat.

It’s hot this week, and my kids are ready to meet friends for another visit to the water park to cool off.

In keeping our home comfortable and enjoying visits with friends, summer picnics and backyard barbeques win my choice for summer entertainment.

A summer picnic and barbecue with friends does not need all the bells and whistles. You do not need a Martha Stewart centerpiece nor spend hours preparing for some outdoor fun.

To share my simple strategy for a summer picnic and backyard barbecue, I will cover the following topics in this 5-part planning series:

Summer Picnic and Barbecue Planning Guide

Part 1: Planning the Menu

Part 2: Distributing the Responsibilities

Part 3: Creating an Inviting Space

Part 4: Keeping Refrigerated Dishes Cold

Part 5: Enlisting Cleanup Helpers

Part 1: Planning the Menu

When planning a summer picnic or barbecue, I start with these 3 broad food topics to choose the menu:

1. Meat (choose 1-3 types)

      • Hamburgers
      • Hot Dogs
      • Bratwurst
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Shrimp

2. Sides (add 2-5 options)

      • Salads: green, pasta, potato, etc.
      • Corn on the cob
      • Veggie cups or tray
      • Fruit tray
      • Deviled eggs
      • Mac and cheese
      • Chips

3. Dessert (top off with 1-2 choices)

      • Watermelon
      • Strawberry shortcake
      • Homemade ice cream
      • Apple pie
      • Brownies

With the menu decided, I then create a list with all the items needed at the picnic. This list would include condiments, sauces, dips, buns, paper products, and beverages.

Knowing the big picture helps me answer questions and distribute the responsibilities evenly, coming in Part 2 of this 5-part series.

As you endure the summer heat, consider hanging out with friends at a summer picnic or backyard barbecue hosted at your home or at a local park. To begin this adventure, start planning your menu and look for a free evening on your calendar to host your summer bash. I’ll walk you through the process. It’s painless, I promise. 😉  Happy planning!

Question: What foods do you enjoy serving for a summer picnic or backyard barbecue?

What Do You Think?: Children Writing Thank You Notes

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Free Printable Thank you notes

Photograph Credit: Life Your Way

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I will share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule.

Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Children Writing Thank You Notes?

Tracy’s 2¢: Yes, children can and should write thank you notes. Growing up in a home where my mom taught my brother and I gratitude for tokens of kindness, I learned to write thank you. After Christmas and birthdays, mom would sit down with me and help me compose my own notes.

My children are at different stages, but they all help write their thank you notes:

Toddler: I write the thank you note, and she “signs” it. Her signature is in the form of lines and scribbles, but she sits down and signs them all at the same time. She then delivers or puts the notes in envelopes to mail.

Preschooler: Again, I write the thank you note, and she writes her name. Depending on the length of her friend’s name, she may write her name on the envelope or top of the note. She also hand delivers the notes or helps address the notes for mailing.

Elementary student: Though simple, he writes his own notes making sure to include something personal. His notes are not long, but he writes them. I help him compose his notes, and we usually have 2 to 3 sessions since he tires easily.

As my children grow, they continue to develop their writing skills. A great way for them to practice is by showing their gratitude via writing thank you notes.

The free printable thank you note templates offered by Mandi at Life Your Way are perfect for children. Even beginning with a simple picture drawn to show their gratitude will encourage children to write thank you notes.

Question: Do your children write thank you notes? What do you think?

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 2 of 5

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Distributing the responsibilities

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Getting that high utility bill encourages me to plan more grilling, leaving the heat outside. Though really hot during the day, we get a little reprieve in the evening hours with some shade at dinner time. If you can handle the heat, then start the grill and invite some friends over for a summer picnic and barbecue.

After a break for our What Do You Think? Week, I return to our planning guide. In Part 1 of 5, we planned our menu and created a list of all items needed for our gathering. Today, we continue our planning guide by distributing the responsibilities.

Part 2: Distributing the Responsibilities

The idiom “many hands make light work” applies to events. After getting the details written down, I enlist the help of my guests. Usually our guests offer to bring a dish to contribute to the meal. With my menu planned, I can offer suggestions when asked, “What can I bring?”

Possible suggestions include:

      • Beverages
      • Breads (hamburger and hot dog buns)
      • Dessert
      • Side
      • Paper products
      • Condiments

By referring back to my master list, I can distribute responsibilities for items still needed on my list. In working together and distributing the responsibilities, we plan our summer picnic and barbeque together and share the work.

As you endure these hot summer days, entertaining friends is not only possible, but doable with a grill and a little planning. In using time wisely, we have chosen our menu and distributed the responsibilities for our summer picnic and barbecue.

Next week, we will create an inviting space to welcome our guests. Continue using time wisely while organizing your next gathering. Happy planning!

Question: How often do your guests ask, “What can I bring?”

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 3 of 5

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Summer picnic and barbecue planning guide

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Buck Lava)

With back-to-school responsibilities underway, I almost forgot that Labor Day weekend is less than a month away. Without my monthly blogging plan, I would have overlooked this opportunity.

Our family enjoys attending an annual cookout and camp out with friends. But if those plans change, I will refer to this series for hosting a summer picnic and barbecue.

In part 1, we looked at the food options and started planning our menu. Then in part 2, we continued planning by distributing the responsibilities since our friends willingly offer to help. Today, I will share simple ways for creating an inviting space.

Part 3: Creating an Inviting Space

With the goal of having a great time, I keep our decorations simple and small for a couple of reasons:

1. Decorating is not one of my strengths. I enjoy matching items, but my style is simple and practical.

2. Frugal-minded, I prefer to invest in items that will last. Getting lots of matching disposable paper products with banners and other cute items translates to tossing those items later or storing more items in my home. As I have spent much time decluttering my home, I evaluate every item coming back into the clean, empty spaces.

Keeping to the basics creates an inviting space. My basics are food area, seating, and open space for play.

1. Food Area

Usually I choose either a table outside or my kitchen counter. If using my outside table, I choose a simple table cloth and secure it well. If using my kitchen counter, I clear the counter of extra items to keep the food centralized.

2. Seating

Offering plenty of seating options gives our guests choices to move about chatting with friends. Movable chairs are my favorite as friends can relocate throughout the party. If I am short on chairs, then I borrow or setup smaller tables and chairs for the children.

3. Open Space

Since our parties always include our children, I plan extra space for them to run and play. Setting up our picnic and barbecue close to the house, I leave a large space in the backyard for the children to play. If your space is limited consider using half of the space vertically or horizontally for play.

If time and funds permit, I also enjoy a simple centerpiece, candle, flowers, or confetti for an added touch. With a little creativity, I can create an inviting space full of color and festive flare with an assortment of food, solid colored napkins, and simple white plates, plastic ware, and cups.

As you consider your next summer picnic and barbecue, creating an inviting space does not need lots of extra items. But if you have the decorating gene, then enjoy this process. I know others who thrive with a blank slate to paint a masterpiece. However, I am content focusing on food, seating, and open space with a little extra color to brighten our afternoon or evening event.

Next week, this series will continue with part 4 – keeping refrigerated dishes cold and organizing your food layout. Until next time, happy planning while using time wisely!

Question: What are your upcoming plans for Labor Day weekend?