MOM & ME VACATION CAMP
Here is some info on a Mom & Daughter camp I held. Youll find the actual schedule of events, menu, kit list and duty sign up chart at the bottom of the page. Ive included it all to make running a similar camp easier for you to plan.
Camp Description
I had booked a residential lodge quite a while before the camp and then later heard some real horror stories about Moms at camp, which had me worried. Fortunately it turned out fantastic. I invited Moms of Sparks, Brownies and Guides to come to camp with their daughter. In order for a girl to go to this particular camp their Mom had to go too. I knew that not all girls would be able to go but we had two other camps just for girls earlier in the year and had requests for this type of camp from Moms so I thought Id try it. I rented a lodge (I find it much easier having an indoor facility available, even when tenting), that had 12 private bedrooms, full kitchen facilities, a large living area and an area outside suitable for tenting. I put a limit of 40 people as I didnt want the camp to be too stressful or noisy. People were accepted on a first come basis. Each Mom and her daughter could sign up for a room at a higher cost or bring their own tent ant set it up themselves for less. I invited some Rangers to help me run the program at camp. My daughters are long grown up so I made it that any Guiders in attendance with their daughters got to be just Moms for a change while the invited Rangers, and a close friend and I ran things. Each Mom and daughter signed up to cook a meal & clean afterwards with some others. We had times when Moms & daughters were free to spend time together however they wished. We also had some structured Mom & Daughter activities. As well, Moms were given a break a few times while the Rangers & I ran activities just for the girls. We set up a craft room where girls could only go if a Mom was with them. We had samples on the table of some things they could make and the supplies around the room. Girls picked what they wanted to make and Moms gathered the supplies and helped them make it. So easy for us!! Every girl had help and lots of attention and no one was pulled in a million different directions! On the Saturday night we had a talent show that Moms, daughters or both could sign up for. Some of the entries were really funny. We decided on Saturday night to let the Moms eat separately. We had the girls sit in one area and the Moms served them first. Then while they played the Moms got to eat in peace. It was really funny because one of the Moms said the next day her daughter told her "I liked it better when you served me last night Mom". The Mom said "as if I dont serve her everyday!" At the end of camp we had the Moms present their daughter with a camp award which she picked from a number that I had made up.
The Mom would get up and call her daughter over and tell everyone why she was giving her the award. The girls loved it! Then the Moms presented each other with an award (some of which were pretty funny). After that the girls did the following cheer for their Moms
Mommies, Mommies
We want to thank you
For bringing us to camp
Where there was so much to do.
We really liked the campfire
The games & crafts too
But most of all we really liked
Spending time with YOU!!!
After that they gave their Moms a card and a flower pen they had made secretly for them. Then we sang "Say Why" and we had some Moms in tears. On the way out almost all of them asked if we could do this again next year and WE RECRUITED 3 NEW GUIDERS. Im so happy I took the chance and it turned out as it did.
Mom & Me Vacation Camp Schedule
(this was posted at the camp)
FRIDAY
6:30 7:30 Arrival, set up rooms or tents.
Sign Up for Duties & Activities.
7:30 Announcements/Camp Rules (everyone must be in attendance)
8:00-9:00 Get To Know Each Other Games with Lisa
Snack Patrol gets snack ready (8:45)
9:15 Prepare for Campfire (bug spray/hair tied back etc.)
9:30 Campfire Note: Moms & Daughters must be together at campfire.
OR
Stay indoors and chit chat, play quiet games, read etc. together.
10:30 Girls get ready for bed (brush teeth etc.)
10:45 Girls in rooms or tents
11:00 Lights/flashlights out
Moms that wish gather for chit chat, cards or games etc.
SATURDAY
7:15 BREAKFAST PATROL STARTS BREAKFAST
(early birds feel free to visit the bead table for jewelry making)
8:00 Everyone gathers for morning opening
8:15 Announcements/Grace/ & Breakfast
9:30 MOMS GET A BREAK (Enjoy some time with the other Moms or yourself!)
Rangers & Brown Owl work with Girls on Memory Boxes Craft
10:15 SNACK PATROL PREPARES SNACK
10:30 Wash Up and Snack (for those that wish)
11:30 Free Time for all. Relax, visit playground or go to the downstairs Craft Room which opens now.
Girls going to playground or Craft Room downstairs MUST be with their Mom.
12:15 LUNCH PATROL PREPARES LUNCH
12:30 Lunch
1:00 2:00 MOMS FREE TIME
(outdoors if nice....indoors if not)
2:00 MOM & DAUGHTER FREE TIME (together)
OR Stay for Mom & Daughter time together either in the craft room, outside walking, or whatever the two of you enjoy doing together. Maybe youll even want to nap!
3:30 SNACK PATROL STARTS SNACK
4:00 Snack: (For those who stayed or have arrived back from outing)
4:15 If Hot: Mom & Daughter Water Games
4:45 Free Time to practice skits etc. for talent show/visit playground or craft room or just rest if tired.
SUPPER PATROL STARTS SUPPER.
6:00 Grace & Supper
7:30 Prepare for Talent Show
7:45 Talent Show
8:30 FIRE STARTERS GET FIRE READY (unless rain)
8:45 CAMPFIRE: Prepare for Campfire (for that wish)
or quiet indoor games for those that dont want campfire.
Note: Moms & Daughters must be together at campfire.
If rain (indoor candle campfire).
9:30 SNACK PATROL PREPARES SNACK
9:45 Bedtime Snack & ready for bed..
10:00 In rooms or tents
10:30 Lights/Flashlights out for girls
SUNDAY
7:45 BREAKFAST PATROL STARTS BREAKFAST
8:30 Good morning dance & Grace
8:45 Breakfast
9:30-10:30 MOMS FREE TIME
10:30 Prepare for Outdoors (bug spray/sun lotion/hat etc.)
If Rain (indoor nature talk).
11:15 Wash Up & Drink
11:30 Awards Presentation & Closing Ceremony
12:00 Pack Up, Clean Rooms, Bathrooms/Take down tents etc.,if you havent already. (Remember Girl Guides leave a place cleaner then they find it)
12:30 Camp Officially Closes
Feel free to stay longer and spend more time with your daughter doing activities of your choice (except crafts). Must be out by 3:00 p.m.
GO WELL & SAFELY
ACTUAL MENU
(parents brought junk food.....we brought the rest)
FRIDAY NIGHT SNACK: Fruit Punches
Muffins
Junk Food
Saturday Breakfast: Orange Juice
Milk
Coffee/Tea
Fruit Loops, Corn Pops, Raisin Bran or Cheerios
Scrambled Eggs
Hash Brown Patties
Saturday Morning Snack
(for those that wish) Juice
Coffee/Tea (adults)
Watermelon
Saturday Lunch Fruit Punches
Coffee/Tea
Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup
Crackers
Subs (make your own with
Alternates: Bread, butter, jam, peanut butter, cheez whiz
Saturday Afternoon Snack
(for those that wish) Fruit Punches
Coffee/Tea
Assorted Fruits
Saturday Supper Fruit Punches
Coffee/Tea
Spaghetti
Caesar Salad
Veggies & Dip
Ice Cream Sundaes
Saturday Night Snack Hot Chocolate
Coffee/Tea
Fruit & leftover veggies & dip
Sunday Breakfast Orange Juice
Milk
Coffee/Tea
Pancakes & Syrup
Sausages
Remainder of Cold Cereals
Sunday Lunch
(For those that wish
to stay after camp ALL LEFTOVERS
officially closes or
make something to
take along in the car)
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE FOOD AND THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR TAKING TURNS PREPARING IT!
MOM & ME KIT LIST
Please remember that while on site Guiding policy is no tank tops, or open sandals. As well, when outdoors a wide brimmed camp hat must be worn.
EVERYONE
Baby food, formula or canned good for local food bank
Sleeping Bag or Two Warm Blankets
Pillow
Wide Brimmed Camp Hat (adults too)
Dish Towel (put in kitchen when arrive)
Garbage Bag (for Dirty/Wet Clothes)
Water Bottle (for hike)
Knapsack (for outings)
Scissors for crafts (label with your name)
Flashlight with new batteries
Sit-upon (some type of plastic cushion to sit on by fire- can be made by placing newspaper in a garbage bag and taping into square shape).
Bathing Suit (if planning on day trip to local pool)
Warm Sweater (preferably hooded keeps bugs off neck)
Jacket
Rain Coat or Poncho (Dollar stores carry)
2 Long sleeved shirts
2 T-shirts
2 pairs of shorts
2 pairs of long pants (jeans or track pants ok)
4 pairs of underwear
4 pairs of socks
Pajamas (if tenting bring warm ones too just in case)
Slippers or indoor shoes
Running Shoes & Extra pair or rubber soled shoes
Rain Boots (if you dont have try and borrow you can pick up cheap rain boots from second hand stores too)
Towels & Facecloths
Brush /Comb / hair accessories if you use
Soap/Shampoo/Deodorant
Toothbrush/paste
Non-spray bug repellent:
Sunscreen
Medication and instructions (if taking)
Books
Cards
Games
Camera
Outside Toys
Notebook/pen or pencil/
Mending kit
Lawn Chair (must be left outside)
Evening Snack to Share
For Those Sleeping In Tents
(youll also need)
Tent (please check your tent prior to coming to make sure you have all poles & pegs)
Rope (to tie down tent if extremely windy)
Pail (to put water in for beside tent (a guiding fire regulation)
2 Ground Sheets
Extra Blanket
Air Mattress or Pad
LABEL EVERYTHING WITH YOUR NAME. It really helps us after camp get it back to you.
LEND A HAND
(please sign up for at least one of our kitchen duties)
Prepare & Clean Up Friday Night Snack
1. _________________________
Cook & Prepare Saturday Morning Breakfast
1. _________________________ 2.________________________
Dishes & Clean Up after Saturday Breakfast
1. _________________________ 2.____________________________
Prepare & Clean Up after Saturday Morning Snack
1.__________________
Prepare & Dishes/Clean Up after Saturday Lunch
1. _________________________ 2.________________________
Prepare & Clean Up after Saturday Afternoon Snack
Cook / Prepare Saturday Supper
1. _________________________ 2.________________________3. _______________
Dishes & Clean Up from Saturday Supper
1. _________________________ 2.________________________ 3. ________________________
Prepare & Clean Up Saturday Night Snack
Cook & Prepare Sunday Breakfast
1. _________________________ 2.________________________3. __________________________
Clean Up from Breakfast
1. _________________________ 2.________________________