Mailboxes at Camp: Little Notes, Lot’s of Love

February 9th, 2026

At camp, every child has their own personal mailbox. It might seem like a small thing, but those little slots hold so much magic. Mailboxes are more than just a place to drop letters — they’re a way for campers to feel seen, remembered, and connected, both to the world outside camp and to the community inside it.

We encourage friends and family to write letters to campers. For shorter sessions, parents/guardians can leave a stack of letters at drop-off, each one dated with the day it should be delivered. This proactive approach gives kids comfort, knowing they’ll receive a note every day. After lunch, they check their mailboxes and have this little (but meaningful!) boost of confidence and love.

Mail at camp isn’t just about staying connected to home though. It’s also a way to spread love within camp. Whenever we plan a big camp-wide party, dinner, wedding, prom, or other special event, campers make handmade invitations and deliver them to everyone’s mailboxes. Thank-you notes — whether to guests, staff, or each other — find their way there too. Sometimes, campers or counselors leave anonymous words of encouragement, shout-outs, or little affirmations for someone who might be having a hard day. This past summer, we had a camper who was quite sad about missing several big soccer games, so I printed off the game reports and put them in her mailbox each day.

Some of the most special mail moments go beyond daily routines and even cross sessions or years. Past counselors sometimes mail letters to current campers, or campers write to past counselors. Campers finishing up one session might decide to leave a letter to the next session. If a camper feels sick or has to go home, they are sure to receive a pile of handwritten and illustrated “get well soon!” cards.

Sometimes, when a camper isn’t receiving mail like others, a counselor might leave a special secret note from the “mail fairy” to make them feel remembered and included. Mailboxes are also a quiet way for campers to share feedback or feelings with counselors if they aren’t comfortable saying it directly. We strive to meet each unique camper where they are, offering support in a form that feels safe and personal.

Receiving mail helps kids feel loved and important. There’s something powerful about a tangible note: someone took the time to sit down, think about you, and give you their full attention. Unlike a text or email, which can be sent while doing a dozen other things, a letter is intentional. Handwritten letters, in particular, make a child feel like they are worth someone’s time and thought. They feel remembered, which can be especially comforting if they’re sensitive about missing out on things while away from home.

Here at camp, mail is a small example of how we weave kindness and inclusion into our days. It’s a way to notice someone who might otherwise go unseen, to celebrate accomplishments, or simply to say, “hey, thinking of you!” Our hope is that these little gestures ripple outward and create a culture of care and connection that campers carry with them beyond camp.

Being seen, included, and remembered doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes, it’s as quiet as a little note, tucked into a slot, that can make all the difference.

— Author: Chloë Rowse