Packing for Camp Tips & Rants Teen Tuesday Post by Rebecca Elspas

Teen Tuesday

by Rebecca Elspas, Teen Blogger

It's Camp Time! You know what that means… Packing! (yay?)

The annual dilemma for a camp-goer (and his or her parents)? That dreaded packing. During the school year, when I have brief weekend events to attend, night-before packing is typical. But this year, for the first time, I am going to a sleep-away camp for the entire summer to work as a counselor. It's near San Diego and for five whole weeks!

Me in red dress saying bye to friends before camp, MommyBlogExpert.com 

In only a couple of days I will blogging directly from summer camp!  As a naturally heavy packer, “just in case” is my motto when shoving all the stuff I might need into my little black suitcase until it needs to be sat on to squeeze everything in. (Just like in the movies!) 

After pretty much almost buying the whole of both Target and H&M stores, it was more than obvious I was going to have to rethink getting that big shopping cart full of clothes. Not one of those little shopping carts with the little red flag saying “shopper in training” or something cheesy like that. This shopping cart was a legitimately shiny metal cage big enough for a full grown man, with the added bonus of squeaky wheels.

My dog Dexter watches me pack and even decides to help out...

MommyBlogExpert.com

MommyBlogExpert.com

It really doesn’t bother me to get a little dirty, unlike the stereotypical California Beverly Hills Girl. But hey, I’m a girl, and however cliché this sounds, I gotta look at least halfway decent cause I'm going to sleepaway camp for the first time. Ever! It’s exhilarating!

I really need at least five shirts, no six, and that one won’t match anything…should I buy those sweatpants they're selling? I get a 20% discount as camp staff…wait did I forget to pack my pillow?

This is what my packing rants sound like, and honestly it’s better to just make a list. I got the idea from somewhere online that you should write a packing list of everything you packed, then bring it with you on the trip. Then, as you are closing your bags for the last time, check off each item. You won’t forget anything, from your ponytail holders (is it just me, or do I lose at least three a day?) to that giant jacket you brought, “just in case.”

MommyBlogExpert.com

One of my friends gave me this tip: Don’t wear or buy anything that is similar to things you already have. For example, if you packed a mint green and black striped shirt, don’t bring a turquoise and black striped shirt as well. Spend your limited clothing budget money on something truly unique that you don't already have. That way you'll always have the widest variety of things to wear and look your best. 

By the way, does anyone know any luggage brands that have really colorful suitcases that stand out like crazy? I’m feeling like something neon. 

Shoutout to all those heavy packers like me out there!

Looking forward to the fresh mountain air and being among nature...

MommyBlogExpert.com

Comment & Connect
Have a question for me? Want to share some of your own packing tips, advice or experiences? Please leave a comment -- I look forward to hearing from you. You're invited to stay in touch with me, too, by following me on Twitter @RebElspas and on Pinterest.

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was exchanged in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Jeff Burton NASCAR VIP Experience Giveaway

Giveaway 

As a mom who attended her first-ever NASCAR race in Charlotte, North Carolina, I could not be more excited to be sharing this news with you. After you enter our giveaway to win a shirt autographed by Jeff Burton and other prizes by leaving a comment below, I'm going to send you over to Kwikset's Facebook page to enter to win an awesome VIP Race Experience with the NASCAR driver great himself.

 

Me at Charlotte Raceway, MommyBlogExpert

MBE partnered with Kwikset for this post

Jeff Burton needs no introduction to avid race fans because he's had a high profile in the racing world since 1994. This Saturday night The Mayor, as he is affectionately known by his fans, will be taking on the Coke Zero 400 race at Daytona International Speedway. Burton will be driving the No. 31 Chevrolet racecar built by Richard Childress Racing and emblazoned with Kwikset's logo and primary paint scheme. 

NASCAR races are always exciting but this one at Daytona, with its sheer 31-degree high bank raceway and fireworks displays on and off the track, is going to really celebrate the 4th of July weekend in all its glory.

Enough about this Saturday's race. Now, keep reading to learn how to enter to win the Jeff Burton prize package that Kwikset has provided exclusively for MommyBlogExpert readers.

Jeff Burton Kwikset
Family Pack 
GIVEAWAY

Ends 7/6/13

Image provided by Kwikset

This NASCAR Lover's Prize Package for MBE readers includes

• I Heart the Mayor T-shirt Autographed by Jeff Burton
• $50 Amazon Gift Card
• Five entries for chance to win a $3K VIP Experience w/ Burton 

How To Enter

Just leave a comment(s) below this post and you're entered. Contest ends July 6, 2013 at 11:59:59 ET and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive a prize pack that includes an "I Heart the Mayor" T-shirt signed by Jeff Burton, One (1) $50 Amazon GC and Five (5) entries for chance to win a VIP Experience with Burton. Winner of the MBE prize package will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. 

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 

Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win. Increase your chances of winning by doing them all!

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter 

2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook

3. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Pinterest

4. Follow @Kwikset Door Locks on Twitter

5. Like @Kwikset on Facebook

***Bonus Entries***

You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet to copy and paste:

Win a T-shirt signed by NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, $50 Amazon GC + More @Kwiksetcorp GIVEAWAY  http://tinyurl.com/m396gwo RT to WIN

First, make sure you've entered the giveaway I'm hosting right here on MommyBlogExpert by leaving a comment below.

Image provided by Kwikset

Next, head over to Kwikset's Facebook page to enter the I Heart the Mayor Sweepstakes where NASCAR driver Jeff Burton is teaming up with the brand to give one lucky fan the chance to win a VIP Race Experience for four people with Jeff Burton and Richard Childress Racing during the October night race in Charlotte, N.C. This prize package includes VIP access, airfare, hotel and lots more and has an approximate retail value ARV of $3000.

More Family-Friendly
Mommy Blog Expert Giveaways

ENTER Them All HERE

FTC Disclosure: Kwikset is providing the prizes and shipping for the giveaway I am hosting here on MommyBlogExpert. Kwikset is also supplying the I Heart the Mayor VIP Experience Sweepstakes prizes for the contest they're sponsoring on their own site. MommyBlogExpert received no payment or other compensation for this post and thoughts here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one

Twitter Party Calendar This Week w/ Prizes ~ July 1 - 6 Constantly Updated

Twitter Parties

Updated 7/5/13 - Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook and Google+ parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Monday, July 1

Goldfish Make It Go Puff Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @7onashoestring @crazyadventures @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Target Giftcards. #Makeitgopuff RSVP

Grilling is Happiness Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Sears @SearsDeals. Prizes: $200 in Sears gift cards. #GrillingisHappiness RSVP

Best Boards Ever Twitter Party at 8 pm ET. Win one of the #BestBoardsEver from @A_Heirloom. Participate in party with hashtag.

Weekly Traveling Moms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @travelingmoms @kimorlando @debmomof3 @cindyrichards this week talking about Patriotic Travel. Prize: TBA. #TMom RSVP

Motor Oil Matters Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MotorOilMatters @Momitforward and others. Prize: ONE (1) $50 Visa giftcard. #MotorOilMatters RSVP

Take Me to Your Mother Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @NickMom. Prizes: $200 in giftcard giveaways. Participate in party with hashtag #Takemetoyourmother Details

Tuesday, July 2

Beef Sizzles Twitter Party at Noon ET with @Momhatescooking @AmericanCW. Prizes: $50 Gift Cards. #BeefSizzles RSVP

Torani Smores Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Torani @worldmarket. Prizes: TBA. Participate in party with hashtag #ToraniSmores

HP Summer Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @HousePartyFun @SodaStreamUSA. Prizes: House Party T-shirts, coffee mugs, bottle opens, totes + other branded goodies; $50 iTunes giftcards; SodaStream home soda makers; and $500 Travelocity giftcard. #HPSummer Details

Alamo Games 2 Go Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @therebelchick. Prizes: $25 American Express giftcards. Participate in party by following hashtag #AlamoGames2Go

Dandy Fresh Produce Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Dandy_Fresh @Momitforward and others. Giveaway Post Prizes: FIVE (5) winners each get a Zoku Quick Pop Maker, Quick Pops Cookbook and 5 Dandy Fresh Celery coupons. #gno #summerproduce RSVP

HF Stressless Summer Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Happysuperfoods @DrLynneKenney @Tweeparties. Prizes from Citrus Lane, Baby Boot Camp, Weleda, Munchkin, Bibbitec, Bloom and Happy Family. #HFStresslessSummer RSVP

A. Vogel Bio Snacky Sprouts at 9 pm ET with @aVogel_ca @naturallysavvy @andreadonsky. Prizes: THREE (3) 3-tier Bio Snacky Sprouters with seeds. Canada Only. #bioSnackySprouts RSVP

Wednesday, July 3

Nudges Moments Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @NudgesDogtreats @amomsimpression @turningclockbac @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Visa Giftcards. #NudgesMoments RSVP

Moms and Brands 4th of July Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @MomsandBrands. Prizes: TBA. #MomsandBrands RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @thetechdad @geekbabe. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Cloth Diaper Love Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @clothdiapergeek. Over $350 in cloth diapers and other prizes. #ClothDiaperLove RSVP

Thursday, July 4

Independence Day

Weekly Wise Bread Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @wisebread. Prizes: TBA. #wbchat RSVP

Friday, July 5 

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom with @verizoninsider at 3 pm ET. Prizes: Plantronics Bluetooth headset and a Samsung Galaxy Note II smartphone. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

Gluten Free Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @GFRecipeBox. More than $700 in gluten free Prizes. #Gfreechat RSVP

More Twitter Parties constantly to be added for This Week to this list as soon as they're scheduled. So stay tuned for updates as they happen by following this blog.

NEXT WEEK

Monday, July 8

Priceless Miami @Mastercard Twitter Party at Noon ET with @jmanmillerbug @paulabendfeldt @crazyadventures @cbtweetchat. Prizes: EIGHTEEN (18) pairs of tickets to Beyonce's Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in Miami. #PricelessMiami RSVP

Priceless Miami @Mastercard Twitter Party at 6 pm ET with @jmanmillerbug @paulabendfeldt @crazyadventures @cbtweetchat. Prizes: EIGHTEEN (18) pairs of tickets to Beyonce's July 10th Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in Miami. #PricelessMiami RSVP

Shutterfly Grownups 2 Pinning Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @shutterfly @grownupsmovie @resourcefulmom. Prizes: TEN (10) winners get Grownups beach towels, TEN (10) winners get Grownups beach raft, FIVE (5) winners get a $25 Shutterfly giftcode; TWO (2) winners get a $50 Shutterfly GC and ONE (1) winner gets the Grand Prize which is a $100 Shutterfly GC. #summerfun RSVP

Weekly Traveling Moms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @travelingmoms @kimorlando @debmomof3 @cindyrichards talking about Hawaii vacations. Prize: TBA. #TMom RSVP

Tuesday, July 9

Weekly Tech Tuesday Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @KristinaLibby of Microsoft. Participate with hashtags #Windows #WinChat Details Soon

Grocery Savings Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @frugalfinders @bargainblessing @savings and others. $250 in Prizes. #GrocerySavings RSVP

Barlean's Summer Smoothie Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Barleans @NaturallySavvy @AndreaDonsky. Prizes: SIX (6) winners will receive Barlean's products. Participate in party with hashtag #SummerSmoothies Details

Wednesday, July 10

Wyndham Vacation Rentals Rock The Rental Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @Clever_Network @Wyndham_Rentals. Hundreds of $$$ in gift cards. #WyndhamRentals RSVP

eBay Mobile Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @ebaymobile. Prizes: $25 eBay giftcards every 5 minutes. #eBayMobile RSVP 

Shoplet TP Twitter Party at 5 pm ET with @shoplet. Prizes from Sharpie, Pentel, Ducktape Brand and Elmer's #shopletTP RSVP

JS Pedal for Kids Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Nugglemama @Kidsumers @commoncentsmom and others. Prizes: TEN (10) prizes TBA to be given away - Canada residents only. #JSPedalforKids RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, July 11

CA Ice Cream Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @KristinaVanni @jennism @RealCalifMilk. Prizes: FOUR (4) winners get their choice of Walmart or Target gift card in one of these denominations $25, $50, $75 and $100. #CAIceCream RSVP

Weekly Wise Bread Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @wisebread. Prizes: TBA. Follow hashtag #wbchat - More details soon

Advanced Haircare Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @LorealParisUSA @Zipporahs @LisaSamples and others. Prizes: Multiple L'Oreal Paris Beach Baskets of Products and ONE (1) iPad Mini. #AdvancedHaircare RSVP

SW Elite 7on7 Twitter Party during NWA Youth Football Showcase at 9 pm ET with @cbtweetchat. Football fan prizes. Follow hashtag #SWElite7on7 - More details soon

Grill with Pompeian Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @BusyMommyMedia @PompeianOils. Prizes: FOUR (4) prize packs including full value coupons for Pompeian products; ONE (1) Grand Prize including a gift basket valued at $100 + a $50 American Express giftcard. #GrillWithPompeian RSVP

Friday, July 12

Fight Child Hunger in America Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @ConAgraFoods @ChildHungerEnds. Prizes: TWO (2) guitars autographed by @CodySimpson. #ChildHunger RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

COMING SOON

Tuesday, July 16

I Heart My Nail Art Twitter Party at Noon ET with @sallyhansen @walgreens @jmanmillerbug @Sweettight @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walgreens Gift Cards. #IHeartMyNailArt RSVP

Nestle Girl Scout Crunch Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @robynsworld @therebelchick @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards. #GSCrunch RSVP 

Power Up With Berries Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @cleverhousewife @momwithadotcom @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Save Mart gift cards. #FreshFinds RSVP

Barely There Call of the Wild Twitter Party at 7:30 pm ET with @zipporahs @barelythr. Prizes: FOUR (4) 1 set Barely There's newest animal print invisible look bras &

panties. Grand Prize: All 4 sets of Barely There's newest animal print invisible 

look bras & panties. #CalloftheWild - More Details Soon

SWheat Scoop Litter Chat Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Eventbarkers @SWheatscoop. Prizes for cats every 10 minutes; $200 value Grand Prize at end of party. #LitterChat RSVP

Tuesday, July 23

Bumbledoo's Grand Reopening Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @bumbledoo @wemakemilk @jamberryjess. Prizes and store gift cards. #newdoo RSVP

Thursday, July 25

Choose Fresh Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @freshisit @savingugreenmom. Prizes: TBA. #ChooseFresh RSVP

Wednesday, July 31

Shape Let's Dish Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @Shape_Magazine's Bahar Takhtehchian and @KeriGans. Prizes: TBA #LetsDish RSVP 


About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. However keep in mind that each party is run by a different brand and/or hosts and MommyBlogExpert, unless specified otherwise, is not responsible for any dealings readers have with these events including, but not limited to, prizing of any party on the calendar. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.