Why Irie Pen Pal?

When parents begin their child's registration process, they can choose to opt into the Irie Pen Pal Program. As a military spouse, I know the value of having a connection when I go to a new location or embark on a new experience. I've passed this knowledge on to my own kids and I want to help our campers too.

My 4-year-old has been "writing" letters for almost 2 years now, beginning shortly after our most recent military-related move from one coast to the next. She had a best friend at her prior school and we didn't want her to feel totally uprooted. Over the years, my daughter drew pictures and dictated her communications to me, and then we'd send off the letter, maybe with a neat little something or other. A couple weeks later we'd get a response from her friend and it would continue. The girls LOVED getting mail addressed to them!

Right now we're gearing up to move back to our prior address and we are so glad that our daughter will already have a friend when we get there. This is the kind of belonging I want for the kids that come to Irie Camp Jamaica; from Day 1, they already "know" someone. I think it will pave the way for a whole lot of fun, don't you?

---