So I was at a store last week...I think it was Walmart....and saw that they had inflatable kid pools. It was, of course, squished really flat, and quite affordable. I want to say it was around $12, but may have been a little more.

ANYway, what I'm wondering is, has anyone sent something like this? Is it something they'd use just for fun - one person at a time, or would it go to waste? (I suppose it also depends on the soldier and his/her sense of humor) 

I have read where they requested those.  I dont remember exactly when, but they were having some sort relay/race game. And someone had actually sent them a couple of them.  And yes I am sure it would depend on their humor.

I have had the same thought.  Also for the Iraqi kids, whose hearts and minds most our soldiers are eager to win.

My biggest concern would be the water, given it's a desert and all.  I have not figured out the water situation over there.  They drink mostly bottled water, it seems, because the local water is not good and/or is scarce.  They don't seem to have any problems coming up with enough water for squirt guns, but then a bottle's worth will do.  I'm pretty sure I read of at least one base that had an actual swimming pool. If so, it was probably in a populated area.

What I haven't figured out is the water situation in remote areas, where they don't have much of anything. This would imply they don't get large/frequent shipments of anything.  Maybe they can rely on a local source for water, or maybe the reason they don't have much of anything else is because all the space in whatever supply trucks might come their way are filled with bottles of water.

I have actually seen soldiers request them, so who knows !!! I chuckle thinking about these big guys in these little pools, but concidering the heat factor anything might feel good...

The idea that I have gotten from the majority of them that have mentioned them is that they usually use them just to cool their hot, tired feet.  Only a few of them ever actually get into them.  It's the closest thing to a hot tub most of them will get.  When you consider the scarcity of the water and the number of people, you can see why they would just be a large foot tub. 

I got a laugh out of one contact mentioning that she had tried to figure out how to keep the sand out of the one they had gotten until she finally gave up and decided they would just have to imagine they were at the beach and put up with the sand in it.

Gran

We sent one with squirt guns, water balloons, water balloon launchers and a couple beach balls. ;)

He said they had so much fun, after all many of these Troops are 18-19.

Heh, maybe I'll send squirt guns and water balloon launchers first, then if anyone mentions they want a pool, I'll get that. With sunblock!

 Are the cheapie squirt guns ok? Do they work?
 

Cheap squirt guns work but pay attention to finger opening ... some are pretty small.

I just got a bag of 5-6 for $1 at Walmart...

Never thought about the little finger opening though...

Hi Valeta,

I have seen requests for inflatable kiddie pools.  Why don't you do a search?

  I would start with pool first and see what you get!

 

Vicki 

I sent a small pool that I got at the DollarTree in a box full of girly stuff for a group of female soldiers.  I included some foot soak and lotion and they loved it!!  I have heard that there might be some areas where they cannot have them though.  And I did just recently hear of a soldier who said theirs melted in the hot sun

SGT Tangueray Spears is asking for a kiddie pool.