Pony Farm Summer Camp - Skittles in the Turkey

Pony Farm Summer Camp - Skittles in the Turkey

One of the Pony Farm camp rules is that campers have to open packages in front of staff in case family or friends have ignored the rule about sending candy or other food treats. Read on to understand why we have the no-candy rule …

Last summer, Sophie Shulman (CIT) and I were in the lodge greeting campers as they camp up from evening barn chores. One of our Tree House campers, who shall remain nameless, received a package from her parents. It was a stuffed-animal turkey! I was thinking that this was nice of her parents to send and maybe this camper had a fascination with turkeys. Sophie thought differently after touching the turkey. She became convinced there was candy inside.

Sophie got scissors and unstitched the poor turkey from its bottom. Sure enough, it was filled with Skittles. I was so impressed I let the camper keep the turkey and Skittles against my better judgment. Two days later, there were ants in the camper’s room, drawn there by the Skittles!

Not only does candy attract small critters, it can cause disagreements, misunderstandings, and hard feelings among the campers. In the end, we have candy wrappers and unhappy campers everywhere you look.

Now, because I’ve told this story, if there is an influx of packages with stuffed animals this summer, I won’t be so gullible. And if you are feeling badly that you can’t send sweets to your camper, DON’T worry! We have snack, dessert with dinner, campfires with s’mores, ice-cream troughs and more! Your camper won’t suffer from a lack of sweets!