<p>This seems to be a natural progression from "What to Bring on I-Day"....
so here are some things for mom and dad to pack for those first summer "boodle boxes," lest they think you will starve or disappear into the bowels of Bancroft forever!!!! </p>
<p>Boodle Box #1: Mail on I-Day:
Soft cloths for shining shoes
Toiletries (shampoo/conditioner all-in-one for summer), toothpaste, mouthwash, toothpaste, SOAP, razor blades, q-tips (all in regular sized supply as opposed to the travel-sized items carried in on I-Day)
Acne-prevention facial soap or lotion (sweat reeks havoc on the best complexions!)
Pain reliever (motrin)*
Cough drops/throat lozengers
Blister pads / NuSkin
Medicated powder (foot, other areas)
Snacks (keep to healthy ones)
Extra cotton briefs /athletic bras
White crew socks
UNFRAMED photos
Small flag (if not already sent in with Plebe when they report)
Unframed pictures (a select few)
Multivitamins*
Rolls of quarters (the plebes can sometimes hit the vending machines at the sailing building IF they have the quarters to use!!!!)</p>
<ul>
<li>note: these items may NOT be permitted; be prepared to have them confiscated</li>
</ul>
<p>Boodle Box #2- mail on day 2, when you are feeling sorry for yourself
Can opener
Large sports bottle
Spoon/fork/knifes (plastic disposable)
Zip lock bags
britta bottle and filters
scrubbing bubbles</p>
<p>*Mail as often as you can..... weekly works!!!! *</p>
<p>Home baked items!
Just remember the rules:
send lots
send enough to share
best if baked at home
best if in huge amounts
best if sent frequently
best if not in the form of “health food”</p>
<p>*General notes for Boodle boxes *</p>
<p>-pack first few care packages in shoe-box sized rubbermaid (or similiar) container....preferably transparent. Send only 2 or 3 of these.... the shoe-box size fits well into the free flat-rate boxes from USPC, as long as you use a bit of tape to close! The boxes can then be reused for food stuffs that get replinished and help to keep the patter of little mice away!</p>
<p>-if sending canned fruit or other items, stick to flip-top openers</p>
<p>-send only healthy snacks over plebe summer (the rest is subject to be confiscated)..... the cadre usually lets "home baked" items slip through, just remember to bake and send enough of them for the WHOLE COMPANY as they will be sharing!!! </p>
<p>-keep in mind when baking those cookies, chocolate+annapolis heat+white works= MESS!!!! </p>
<p>-do not send anything over the summer that requires refrigeration or cooking- they have no access to such luxuries.</p>
<p>-packets of flavoring (or powdered gatoraide, lemmonaide, ice tea or similiar item) that can be mixed in the sports bottle (previously sent) with the filtered water (from the brita system) right in their room.</p>
<p>-peanut butter, beef jerky, trail mix, sweet cereal, pre-mixed "can stay on shelf forever" pudding or jello/fruit cups, or any item you think your mid would like. Be creative. Our plebe was craving gum.... we wrapped some very carefully in a pair of socks. Some will argure "foul"..... while others will respond with "you rate what you skate." If you do send gum, just make sure your plebe can "Swallow fast" if need be, and use only in their room!!!!</p>
<p>Send ONLY WHEN and IF REQUESTED:
fan (some rooms get hot despite a/c)
alarm clock
CHEAP water-resistant wrist watch
electric razor</p>
<p>Final Notes on Boodle Boxes:</p>
<p>Keep in mind, you may "Send weekly," but they may not "get weekly." Be patient- they will "get" eventually.</p>
<p>Send monthly: a fresh toothbrush..... these kids spread germs like crazy!</p>
<p>To stay "organized" without driving yourself crazy.....
(those weeks roll by fast!)
if you can, buy "in bulk".... but mail a "variety."</p>
<p>We had 2 piles in our spare room over plebe summer...
one pile consisted of all the food items we purchased in bulk.... packing boxes each week was easy as we selected a "few of this, a couple of that" and packed the boxes full!</p>
<p>the second pile was for "other stuff"....cleaning supplies (for them and their rooms), items that would have to be replinished, "wipes" of every kind.... windex wipes, pledge wipes, hand wipes, etc..... made short work of cleaning! We even sent a swiffer cleaner for the floor that made a big hit in the room.</p>
<p>** DO: **
-remember to slip in a picture or 2 in every box
-CONTINUE TO SEND MAIL!!!!! </p>
<p>they need the "written word" from home more than anything.... tons of moms and dads sent daily, if not weekly, cards, letters, inspirational sayings, you name it!!!! Spent many a day in the card store finding funny ditties to send along.... and when your MID comes home at the end of their plebe year (there is an end!) and they have ALL of your letters and cards saved and tied together .... you will smile and know your effort was SO VERY WORTH WHILE!!!!</p>
<p>SOON IT STARTS!</p>