Press Release: Camp Sunny Patch

Stay Busy this Summer with Melissa & Doug’s “Virtual” Camp

Camp Sunny Patch begins Monday June 4, Online

May 30, 2012 – Wilton, CT – To kids, the start of summer means freedom and fun! But to parents, planning summer days can be daunting. How can we give kids the adventure they crave within safe boundaries? How can we challenge them to learn all season long? How can we find time to plan a summer’s-worth of answers to “What will we do today?”

Melissa & Doug, makers of classic toys and proud ambassadors of creative play, are thrilled to announce Camp Sunny Patch—a week-by-week activity guide to a summer full of active, imaginative play. Hosted at blog.MelissaAndDoug.com, Camp Sunny Patch casts a team of star Blog Ambassadors as “camp counselors.” The counselors host themed “camp sessions” in categories such as water play, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts and other camp favorites, through free printable play guides.

How it works: Families can print and post monthly calendars, available exclusively on the Melissa & Doug blog and to email subscribers, for a taste of what each month will hold. Then each week you download a session guide to delve into greater detail of the activity ideas, games, crafts and much more. The blog even features printable camp badges! In addition, optional camp-themed surprises will be available throughout the summer on Facebook and Twitter.

Melissa & Doug recognizes that parents are looking for affordable activities for their children. Creating Camp Sunny Patch was a way to create tremendous value for parents by offering low-cost, creative activities for kids for the entire summer. Creative Play should be available for everyone. The weekly activities from Camp Sunny Patch are a great way to get started.

FROM OUR CAMP COUNSELORS:

Summer Camp isn’t a reality for every child . . . but now it can be! Melissa & Doug has put together weekly themes, crafts, games and more in Camp Sunny Patch so every child can go to camp in their own backyard!
-Camp Sunny Patch “Counselor” Allie McDonald  (Blog: NoTimeforFlashcards)

Keeping your kids active and engaged this summer doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Melissa & Doug’s blog ambassadors will show you how with Camp Sunny Patch, our first virtual summer camp.
-Camp Sunny Patch “Counselor” Stacy Teet  (Blog: KidsStuffWorld)

You can think of Camp Sunny Patch as your virtual go-to guide for creative summertime fun with the kids! We’ll provide the basic framework with imaginative play ideas, easy crafts and plenty of outdoor activities–then encourage parents to connect with their kids while exploring a different theme each week. Get ready to make some amazing memories together!
-Camp Sunny Patch “Counselor” Valerie Deneen  (Blog: InnerChildFun)

The kids may get a long summer break, but we parents sometimes still have a hectic schedule. Camp Sunny Patch will take the searching, coordinating and hassle out of finding creative summer projects. Instead it will allow parents to spend that extra time connecting with their kids.
-Camp Sunny Patch “Counselor” Zina Harrington  (Blog: LassoTheMoon)

Many parents hesitate when it comes to making time with their children fun–or educational!–only because they’re not sure what to do or where to begin. But every parent can really ‘kick up the summer fun factor’ if he or she has a few starting points, ideas, or a game plan.  What I love about the Melissa & Doug Camp Sunny Patch is that it does just that.  It gives parents a ton of cool ideas to use with their children each day of the long, hot summer–ideas that they can take as far as they’d like in order to make this summer one that everyone will remember.  Bring on the fun!
-Camp Sunny Patch “Counselor” Amy Mascott  (Blog: TeachMama and WeTeachGroup)