PS: I Hate It Here {Crazy Summer Giveaway}
As I sit here writing this post, my daughter Hannah is at summer camp. We have received two letters from her and thankfully she starts both off with “I love camp!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m NOT homesick!!!!!!” I’m a big fan of the hilarious new book P.S. I Hate It Here: Kids’ Letters from Camp, a collection of letters from kids living the nightmare wonderful camping experience. They borderline crazy and funny and laugh-out-loud pleas to rescue them from camp. We live next door to a big crazy summer camp, so this book really hit home with me!
OK, my crazy readers…. lets have some summer fun and throw a giveaway party!! I loved the book soooo much I did something kinda crazy. (you know me) I contacted the author, Diane Falanga and guess what… she emailed me back! Seriously, I’m just a little giddy to say the least! I told her I was going to have a giveaway and shout out to my mom readers about her new book. She graciously contacted her publisher and I received 2 books in the mail- just for you!!!
{Giveaway}
Just leave me a comment – that’s all you need to do to enter.
2 Winners win:
A brand new copy (from the publisher!!) of P.S. I Hate It Here: Kids’ Letters From Camp. This is a fun book for parents and kids to read & laugh out loud together!! I will randomly pick 2 winners later this week.
Added Bonus:
Also, you can share with me your own summer camp stories- the crazy memories you cherish or something your kids did or said to make you gulp! You can even share an actual ‘Kids’ letter from camp.’ I want to hear and so does author, Diane who will peek at all the comments you leave!
More than 150 letters cover all the imaginable scenarios of sleep away camp, from acing the cabin lice inspection, to rowing in the “ricotta” race, to breaking the bad news about a retainer lost in the wilderness. These letters reveal that kids are wittier and more sophisticated than we might assume, and that the experience of being away from home for the first time creates hilarious and lasting memories.
Meet Author Diane Falanga
P.S. I Hate It Here: Kids’ Letters From Camp is a humorous look at homesick kids during summer camp. These real letters are laugh-out-loud funny – everything from forgotten necessities (a strapless bra, five bucks for a lost tooth, a tennis racket) to desperately pleading their case for going home. Factio caught up with North Shore author Diane Falanga to talk about her inspiration for the book, her favorite moment working on this project and her favorite places in Chicago.
FACTIO MAGAZINE: Tell us about the book!
DIANE FALANGA: When my daughter, Bianca, was 8 – she was determined to go to overnight camp. My husband and I thought she was too young – but she was very convincing and presented a seemingly rational case. So, we shipped her off! Then the letters started to arrive. The first one was a hilarious, hyperbolic rant about how the counselors had made her “scraper, sweeper and maid” b/c she couldn’t stop crying. I found this so funny that I instantly started calling friends to read them Bianca’s letter. Everyone seemed to have a camp letter of their own to top this one. An idea was born.
FM: What did you love most about the project?
DF: Reading through the more than 3,000 camp letters I collected from kids around the country. Sharing some of the gems aloud with my 16-year-old son, Blake, Bianca and my husband, Mark. The letters made for great dinner conversations.
FM: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
DF: In the case of P.S. I Hate it Here! Kids’ Letters From Camp — definitely from my daughter.
FM: What are your favorite places in Chicago?
DF: We live a couple of blocks from Lake Michigan and beautiful Gillson Beach. That’s my hang-out.
FM: What are your favorite places worldwide?
DF: Besides fabulous Chicago … Italy – all the way. My husband’s family lives in a little town along the Amalfi Coast, Massa Lubrense. We spent some time with our kids all through Italy last summer. This summer we’ll be back – hiking the Cinque Terra and in Sicily, too. Hiking and mountain bikinig in Moab, Utah is also pretty spectacular. And Telluride, CO – winter, spring, summer or fall – is a favorite place, too.
FM: What are people surprised to know about you?
DF: That I’m so darn short. Having a loud voice and a big laugh gives the illusion of height.
FM: What was your biggest career moment to date?
DF: Initiating the Heart Homes Initiative of Designs for Dignity. We reclaim gently used furnishings for people who are in need in Chicago.
Hannah’s Kamp Pics:
I'm a camp counselor at a summer camp and I want that book so bad!! Can you pretty please send it to me while I'm at camp? The others counselors will love to read it too! 🙂
My boys are going to a summer camp for the first time this summer!!! I am the only person scared about it. They cannot wait to go. Hopefully I will survive:)
Miss you Kari!!!
Because I had really fantastic counselors when I was a camper. That's why I want to enter. 😉 and SOME were better than others. XO
OK.. I gotta spill the beans. Becca was my 1st camp camper… I was a counselor in cabin #5 and this cutie was one of 10 crazy girls I spent the summer with. She even took a pic of me in my underwear (I still have it- was I really that skinny & toned) LOL We are now real friends and she grew up to be a stunning, married with 2 adorable boys, living her life to love orphans and Africa!!! Just thought you'd want to know…
been to my own summer camp, camp with the teens at church, camp with my kiddos and still doing it! Camp, Camp, Camp ~ it is what summer is about!
love ya!
My daughter has never attended camps, dreads the very thought of it. This book is timely, hopefully she will change her mind after reading it. Thanks for the chance.
Hannah looks like she's having FUN!
I went to Girl Scout Camp in Alaska the summer I was 8. We went swimming in a lake and some of us came out with leeches. Haven't swam in a lake since then. 🙂
I saw that book (in Homelife or Parentlife, maybe?) and thought it looked hilarious!! What a great giveaway!
We are so happy Hannah Loves Kamp What a fun way to start her summer..great experiences she will always remember . Glad to hear the new s and thanks for sharing those great pic s of Kamp
Kari, you are amazing! Can't wait to hear about your upcoming trip to Africa! So wish I could go back soon!
Love ya girl,
Tiffany J.
I was 9 years old when I went away to camp.I remember loving every minute of it. Even the night of the big storm. We were all scared, but there is safety in numbers and we pushed all of our beds together. I slept great surrounded by friends.
My 3 kiddos had their first church camp experience a few weeks ago. Jeremiah (5) and Caleb (4) got to spend the night at Primary Sleepover. Uncle Matthew was the dean, Mommy a faculty member, and lil' sis Rachel is still attached to Mommy's side! Jeremiah & Rachel have been home with us from Ethiopia since February – so all things are new and exciting! When we got to campfire, Jeremiah and Rachel both with wide eyes said "Mommy – EAT!!!" We took a wagon ride and Rachel referred to the red tractor as McQueen Car (at the lightning speed of 5 miles an hour). Jeremiah was all questions… "Mommy what's that??? I got to explain a barn, silo, and fourwheeler. We had such a wonderful time. It was great to see my 3 learning about Jesus at one of my favorite places… Camp Calvary, Mackville, KY.