Friday, June 15, 2012

Swim Noodles!

The greatest thing ever! A value at only a buck! I loved them when I took water aerobics. Anything that keeps me buoyant is a good thing. Last year we used them at camp: I cut them in 3 inch sections and put a shoelace through the hole in the middle and strapped one to each of the kids shoes. These were their "Space Boots". This year I bought a stash to be used when the kids choose their own "Super Hero" power. It can be customized with duct tape to be a sword or laser. I recently saw an idea in Family Fun magazine that used them for all sorts of fun things including high jump posts. (Just in time for Olympics Camp if you are doing that this year). I have a feeling that next year we will create a marble track out of noodles split lengthwise. Invention Convention here we come! I have a feeling these versatile and cheap noodles will be a part of Grandma Camp for years to come! I bet a Halloween costume could be created..........

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Preparations Have Started!

Sorry to leave you hangin' about the theme this year. We went on a wonderful trip to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia for a couple of weeks. We were fortunate to be able to watch our son graduate with his Masters at Villanova! Great excuse to so some sight seeing!
As reported earlier, I had the older grands, who are my assistants, come to plan this years Camp. The theme is....drum roll....SUPER HEROES! Since that is all the rage of the summer blockbuster movies, it ought to be fun.
The kids will be choosing their power and their costume. We went to the dollar store to get some supplies to have on hand for camp (still no set date) and we will all be on the lookout for some low or no-cost items to add. the capes will be made from plastic table cloths, the wrist bands from wrapping paper tubes, and the shield will be from lightweight cardboard. There will be some training done in the lab (garage). and some physical skills that will be done in the yard. all this will be documented in a "Crime Fighting Super Hero Training Manuel". Each time a trainee passes off a level of training they will receive a sticker in their manual. We will be making super hero action figures out of homemade play dough and toothpicks. We will use long skinny glow sticks strung on string to make a laser maze that must be passed under to reach someone in distress. I do need to come up with some scenarios, any ideas?
We are super excited and even the villain (GRANDPA!) is looking forward to Camp!