Hey, Camp Parents!

Staying organized at summer camp is no easy feat. It’s asking a lot of your camper, after all, to live out of a camp trunk for a week or longer without it getting a bit chaotic inside. You don’t want your camper wasting precious time at camp as they search for buried items, though. You want them enjoying their camp stay to the fullest!

What can you do during the packing process to help them maintain organization during their time away? Here are some great tips to help your camper remain orderly:

Familiarize

It will be a lot easier for your camper to find things if they know what their gear looks like! Check out this parent’s tip about going over all the gear with your camper before or while you pack:

“Show your child their things BEFORE you pack it in their trunk! Make sure they know what their laundry bag, sports equipment, and non-personalized items look like so they can recognize it in the bunk.”

- Rebecca W. 

Ziploc and Toiletry Bags

Keeping toiletries and smaller camping supplies together is easily accomplished with sealable kitchen bags or toiletry bags. You can click here to peruse our Toiletry Bags. Here’s a tip from a parent who uses Ziploc bags for clothing:

“I always make my daughters outfits and place the complete outfit in an extra-large Ziploc bag with the date on it. So she knows exactly what to wear every day.” 

- Rachelle

PACKING CUBES, PACKING CUBES, PACKING CUBES

We’ve received plenty of tips from parents singing the praises of Packing Cubes! Click here to get your hands on our premium Packing Cubes. Here are a few of those tips:

“Use packing cubes in your trunk to help keep it organized and gain more space when space is at a premium!!”

- Jennifer H.

“Use clothing cubes so when your child goes rummaging through their trunks the clothes don't go everywhere the first day.”

- Shannon W.

“Great when packing for camp, great for staying organized at camp. Cubes make it easy to get dressed every morning, get ready for various activities like swimming and Shabbat dinners, put away laundry after it is returned.”

- Carol H.

The One and Only BUNK ORGANIZER

An underrated tool for your camper’s bunk area, the Bunk Organizer offers 16 pockets and hangs vertically on the foot or side of a bunk, providing a convenient organizational solution for all kinds of items your camper will want to keep handy throughout their camp stay. The Bunk Organizer provides a great place to go with nighttime or morning items like a flashlight or supplies for dental care and it’s also a designated spot for keeping essentials easily accessible like sun and bug protection. Check out the Bunk Organizer when you click right here.

With these tools and plans in your arsenal, your camper stands a chance of remaining organized throughout their camp stay so that they can forget about rummaging through a pile of apparel and gear in a camp trunk and enjoy a smooth, prepared camp stay. Thanks for reading, Camp Folks. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey there, Outdoor Enthusiasts!

Hiking through lush forest trails to splashing in the crystal-clear waters of the lake, days at summer camp promise endless excitement and exploration. The troop of campers will certainly be giving their camping gear and apparel the ultimate test on this trip! Will their footwear be up to the task and keep up with their boundless exploration? Enter Chaco, the trusted companion for campers seeking durable, versatile footwear that can handle anything summer camp throws their way.

Established in 1989 by a Colorado rafting guide with a vision for ultimate outdoor footwear, Chaco sandals are built to adapt and thrive in any environment, just like the highly-adaptable gecko which was the inspiration behind their symbol.

What sets Chaco apart from other footwear companies is not just their durability and versatility but also their commitment to sustainability. Their sandals are made with straps crafted from recycled water bottles, making them a vegan-friendly choice for environmentally-conscious campers. Chaco also offers adjustability for a custom fit, ensuring that your child's sandals are comfortable and secure whether they're hiking the trails or splashing in the lake.

The benefits of Chaco keep going beyond their innovative design too. With the Chaco Repair, Reuse, Rechaco program, they offer repairs for worn-out sandals to keep them out of landfills and minimize their environmental impact. From resoling outsoles to replacing straps and buckles, their Michigan-based repair team ensures that your child's Chacos can go the distance for many summer seasons to come.

So how will your camper be traversing the range of terrain they’ll be facing throughout the camp adventures? Are you ready to upgrade your child's amphibious footwear with Chaco sandals? Check out our selection today and get your camper prepared for whatever summer has in store for them. Thanks for reading, Outdoor Enthusiasts. And remember, adventure awaits. As always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Eager Summer Camp Fans!

Eagerly awaiting the transformation of plain white fabric into explosive tie-dye masterpieces, the campers’ were thrilled after stirring their dye and dipping their shirts in color. But after bagging their shirts and placing them out in the warmth of the afternoon sun. The dye requires 24 hours to allow all the colors to truly bond with the fabric. While the kids didn’t want to walk away from their project, their counselor reminded them all, “A watched pot never boils, campers!”

This commonly known phrase captures the universal truth that time can really seem to slow down when we're eagerly awaiting for something to happen. But where did this age-old adage originate, and why does it still ring true today?

The origins of ‘a watched pot never boils’ can be traced back to the mid-1700s, attributed to none other than the famed founding father, Benjamin Franklin. While the phrase itself doesn't appear in Franklin's famous Poor Richard's Almanack, he did allude to it in his esoteric writings, stating that "a watched pot is slow to boil." Though Franklin may not have coined the exact phrase, his reference to it solidified its place in our lexicon.

Over the centuries, the saying has become a fixture in everyday conversation, popping up everywhere to remind us that patience is a virtue, and that sometimes, the best course of action is to step back and let things unfold naturally.

So, the next time you find yourself anxiously waiting for that pot to boil, take a cue from the wisdom of one of our founding fathers and embrace the moment. After all, as Franklin himself once said, "He that can have patience can have what he will." Until next time, Camp Folks. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey there, Tennis Enthusiasts!

Tennis has long been a favorite activity among children at summer camp. Swinging their racquets and chasing after balls, campers not only develop their skills on the court but also learn valuable lessons in teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance. Blending fun and fitness, tennis offers campers a chance to enjoy the great outdoors while honing their coordination and agility.

This is a sport that’s captivated players and spectators alike for nearly a thousand years, going all the way back to medieval times. Then it was referred to as Real Tennis. This sport was transformed from a simple ball game played by striking the ball with your bare or gloved hands and became the sophisticated sport we know today that uses racquets, enclosed playing areas, and standardized rules.

The roots of Tennis stretch back to France in the 12^th Century and was popularized throughout all neighboring countries within the next 500 years. It had become adopted by royalty and was played by the kings and nobles of Europe. It’s not surprising, then, to learn of its cultural significance in the years to come.

This sport was referenced, depicted, or otherwise played some role in Shakespearean literature, paintings like the works of Tiepolo, and even in political movements such as the Tennis Court Oath during the French Revolution that inspired social change.

In the modern day, tennis remains a beloved pastime enjoyed by both children and adults from all walks of life. Whether your camper is a seasoned player or a curious novice, the legacy of Tennis continues to inspire a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship in those who pick it up. So, grab a racquet, hit the court, and experience the thrill of tennis for yourself. You can make it happen at summer camp if not before. Thanks for reading, Tennis Fans. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Lovers!

Essential to summer camp trips year after year (as well as our bread and butter here at Everything Summer Camp), the C&N Camp Trunk is the best way to send your camper with their gear off for their camp stay. It’s been the #1 recommended trunk for summer camp for decades.

While, it remains the go-to choice for sending your child off to camp with all their essentials neatly packed away, its utility doesn't end there. There are, in fact, a slew of ways our customers have found to put our trunks to good use outside of the summer camp season. Here's a rundown of the myriad ways our customers have used our footlocker trunks:

Document and Tech Storage

Keep important documents, books, laptops, and other tech equipment safely stowed away.

Aquarium Accessories

Use it to store aquarium equipment and other fish accessories, keeping them organized and easily accessible.

Musical Instruments

Provide a secure space for musical instruments, ensuring they remain protected when not in use.

TV Stand

Turn your trunk into a makeshift TV stand, adding a rustic touch to your entertainment area.

Keepsakes

Safeguard cherished memories and keepsakes from special occasions like graduations, wedding days, in a durable and reliable trunk.

Hope Chest

Create a timeless hope chest to store mementos and treasures for future generations.

Shoe Storage

Tidy up your footwear collection by using the trunk to store shoes and boots, keeping them neatly organized and out of sight.

Kitchen Hutch

Utilize the trunk as additional kitchen storage, perfect for stashing away extra cookware, utensils, or pantry items.

Toy Organizer

Corral your child's toys and games in one convenient location, helping to minimize clutter and maximize space.

Sports Equipment and Gear

Keep expensive sporting equipment safe and secure, whether it's tennis racquets, baseball gloves, or horseriding helmet and apparel.

Collections

Showcase and safeguard your prized collections, whether it's stamps, coins, or trading cards.

Bedding and Clothing

Store extra bedding and clothing in the trunk, providing a practical solution for seasonal storage.

Gifts and Giftwrap Accessories

Keep gifts and gift-wrapping supplies neatly organized, easily accessible, and locked away from prying eyes so you're always prepared for special occasions.

With its durable construction and spacious interior, the C&N Camp Trunk is not just a camp essential—it's a versatile storage solution for any home. Discover the endless possibilities and put your trunk to work in ways you may have never thought of before. Leave a comment and let us know how you use your camp trunk outside of camp. Thanks for reading, Camp Fans. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John