How To Create A Summer Camp Survival Kit
There's no place like home! And, after the initial excitement of going away for summer camp has faded, homesickness can sometimes creep in for campers. With the help of FoodSaver, seal and send a piece of home to the kids. Here's a few tips to create the coolest (and most delicious) summer camp survival kit.
Sweet Treats
First things first, take a look at the camp's policy on care packages. Some goodies aren't allowed. If permittable, these chocolate pinwheels are the perfect sweet treat to pop in the box.
Ingredients
- 2 cups softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
Directions
- Combine butter, powdered sugar, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl. Mix until well-blended.
- Slowly add and beat in flour.
- Melt ½ cup of chocolate chips.
- Separate dough in half.
- Add chocolate and cocoa to one bowl until its fully blended.
- Separate each pile of dough into fourths. Then, roll in individual balls. There should be eight total balls – four chocolate and four plain.
- Use a roller to flatten one plain ball. Place it on a rectangular oven sheet. Flatten a chocolate ball and place it on top of the plain one.
- Next, tightly roll the two together to make a log.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and repeat steps six and seven with the remainder of the balls.
- Refrigerate all four logs for an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and cut the logs into small pieces.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool before sealing with a FoodSaver Fresh Preservation System.
There are plenty of treats out there that your kids will love and the camp counselors will allow. For example, trail mix is another option, and it's always a great snack for supplying a little energy during hikes or longs days at the lake. Combine raisins, pretzels, granola, dried fruit and more – then seal it with the FoodSaver Fresh Preservation System, and send it on its way!
Essentials
Along with fresh-baked goodies, use a care package to refill your campers' necessities such as sunscreen, soap, toothbrushes and more. Also, if there are items that your child absolutely loves, but can't get at camp, feel free to toss those in! Items such as books, Frisbees, pens, journals and puzzles are great adds to consider.
Something Special
Add a personal touch your child's care package. Include pictures of the family or pets as well as handwritten letters. You can even use your FoodSaver Fresh Preservation System to vacuum seal your kids' favorite sweatshirt or pillowcase, so it smells just like home when your camper opens up the package.