<p>DS will be moving into a dorm in a city where he doesn’t know anyone two days before his birthday. His summer job begins on his birthday. I suspect he won’t tell any of his new acquaintances and I know he would be humiliated if I contacted anyone. We plan on sending a present, but still feels very lonesome to me. Does anyone have some suggestions? Thanks</p>
<p>Often, the dorm RAs are given information about the students and can organize B-day parties. That actually would be a great opportunity for the students to get together and get to meet one another. You might consider contacting the RA to ask if that could be organized.</p>
<p>On my son’s campus, every birthday is posted on each floor of each dorm. I know that my son’s dorm-mates made him a cake though I also sent one. I agree with marite–contact the RA and I’m going to bet that they will do something to celebrate.</p>
<p>Why don’t you get him a web cam and get one for yourself. Being able to see you and talk to you over the web cam would be the next best thing to being there with him.</p>
<p>How about sending him something like this?
[Birthday</a> Party Cake Stack - Welcome at The Popcorn Factory](<a href=“http://www.thepopcornfactory.com/product.asp?section_id=0&pcode=31101&sv=401&search_type=s_collection&fc_track1=&cur_index=&channel=]Birthday”>http://www.thepopcornfactory.com/product.asp?section_id=0&pcode=31101&sv=401&search_type=s_collection&fc_track1=&cur_index=&channel=)</p>
<p>Sending him something to share with dormmates would be a good way to ensure people talk to him/are around him on his birthday.</p>
<p>And actually, it wouldn’t have to be a birthday cake or birthday themed. Almost anything that ensures interaction – whether goodies to share or toys for boys (will post links when I find 'em) – would do.</p>
<p>Sending something to share w/dormmates is really a great idea!</p>
<p>I can’t find a link to the particular product I was thinking of, darn it. I’m going to have to bookmark it the next time I find it! Anyway, things that inspire interaction: </p>
<ul>
<li><p>card games (poker cards and poker chips, and maybe munchies to have during the game, for example)</p></li>
<li><p>all kinds of flying toys, such as Frisbees, Aerobies, and the things I was looking for, which are flying discs about 2.5 feet across (I get them at Target; about $9 each). </p></li>
<li><p>hackysacks</p></li>
<li><p>water balloon launchers with lots of balloons</p></li>
<li><p>a box of yo-yos. How long has it been since your kid played with a yo-yo? Probably a long time, yet… it’s something that almost anyone will play with if you hand it to someone, even adults. Even adults over 40, and I have pictures to prove it! 
This isn’t as interactive as the other suggestions, however, so I go on to suggest…</p></li>
<li><p>paper yo-yos. These are sometimes called “Chinese yo-yos,” though there is another toy called a Chinese yo-yo that is something very different. These, the paper yo-yos, are a raging blast; I made the mistake one Christmas brunch of giving all the kids (small kids) these yoyos. That wasn’t the mistake. The mistake was not giving them to the adults, too! I get them at Pier 1 for a buck or so each. Oriental Trading Company sells them, but they are not very good ones. I don’t have a good online source for these. These are less interactive than flying discs, but more interactive than yo-yos, because the (strong) inclination is to do battle!</p></li>
<li><p>foam rockets and, if necessary, launchers, enough to share with others</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Hope this helps, and a very happy birthday to your S!</p>
<p>If he’s in the dorm for a summer job…maybe it’s just a place to live…no formal dorm activities?</p>
<p>If that’s the case, in spite of his embarassment, maybe send a fun food basket to where he’s working. (Popcorn Factory has some nice ones, as noted earlier…or you could even call a local gourmet store where he’s working.) </p>
<p>Co-workers will likely ask about it…and he can share! You wouldn’t have directly contacted anyone…</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions! I just searched around the dorm website, 2boysima you are correct, perhaps since the dorm is used for interns, looks like there are no organized activities other than move in day. I love the Popcorn Factory Birthday Party Cake Stack, will definitely do that. The dorm has some lounge areas with large screen TV’s. Knowing my son, he’ll hang out there after work and veg out with dormmates so sharing food will work well. I’ll call over to the dorm and see if someone can hold the package so DS gets it on his birthday.<br>
Owlice-I completely forgot about Oriental Trading Post. I think he would like some silly things from there.
Acinva-you gave me an idea. My son has known many of the neighbors in my building his whole life. We may call him, put phone on speaker and have everyone sing Happy Birthday to him.<br>
Again, thanks for all your ideas-I feel better!</p>