Cookie Jar Communities

Raise your hand if you like cookies. If you know me you know that I have a giant sweet tooth, I love pretty much any baked good or ice cream flavor ever invented.

So when we decided to send some gifts out to a couple camper parents my first thought was, cookie jars! But before we get too deep into how much I love sweets, let’s talk about building community.

The relationships we have with caregivers and campers are the foundation that camp is built on. What are concrete ways that we build, maintain, and strengthen these relationships? 

A couple ideas:

• Sending fun presents throughout the year

• Random calls to ask how their year is going

• Keeping a list of camper birthdays and sending them a card

• Sending handwritten notes 

• Maintaining consistency with who is reaching out to families

• Sharing specific memories you have with campers

• Sending a favorite photo from the summer

• Sending memes or Tiktoks that remind you of a moment or memory with a camper 

• Hosting meetups

• What else?

WHAT WE’RE DOING

Recently we decided to send a little extra love to some camper parents who have gone above and beyond in supporting camp, we call them super parents. Supporting camp does not always mean donating money, these parents are invested members of our community; that can look like helping us recruit new campers, sharing their love of camp on social media, coming to volunteer events, and so much more. 

It’s often easy to get wrapped up in the million other things we have to do throughout the year and things like sending ten parents a gift just because we think they’re awesome can easily get pushed to the side. This is me reminding you that this kind of stuff is important. Even if it may not seem like a priority, it’s going to pay off in the long run. 

Okay now back to the cookie jars! I spent a couple days thinking about what these parents would actually like to receive; It's easy to send a camp shirt or a knick knack but I was sure these parents had plenty of both. I didn’t want to send something that would just collect dust. I’m not the most crafty person either but I love to bake, so I figured cookie jars would be perfect; you get an activity to do with your family and a delicious treat at the end of it. I got my ingredients and started assembly.

Here’s the recipe I used:

In the jar (put them in in this order to make pretty layers):

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

RECIPE TO ATTACH:

Preheat oven to 375° F. Beat 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) softened butter or margarine, 1 large egg and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until blended. Add cookie mix and 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional); mix well, breaking up any clumps. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. 

PACKAGING

I packaged them up and sent them off with a handwritten note. All of this took me maybe four hours total, and now those parents are going to feel more connected to camp and hopefully inspired to continue helping us build our community.

SHOWING WE CARE

There are so many ways we can show people we care. It’s easy to focus on the things that need to happen or only reach out when people donate money, but I think part of building a strong and committed community is making people feel valued and appreciated for simply just being a part of it. I want to continue to find more small and big ways to express gratitude and show everyone in our community that they belong.

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looking for more cookie-jar-like ideas?

We’re constantly talking about this and so much more with our TSCS members. Join a community of camp professionals who are doing the work when it comes to social justice, innovation, and so much more.

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maddy linder

Blog contributor

Camp director
Stomping Ground

Maddy can be reached at maddy@campstompingground.org.