Hey, Camp Fans!

Just a few days ago we made a post on this blog about cool and interesting stories from companies with whom we do business. The other day’s blog post was about Kamik—the outdoor footwear and clothing place that got their start in 1932.

Today we’ll be taking a look at a company that got started over a hundred years earlier in 1830 by a man named John Rich who came to the United States from England and built his first woolen mill in Plum Run, Pennsylvania.

It’s funny to speak of Woolrich’s modest start—the company whose name has become globally synonymous with quality—but the company’s first sales came from men at the surrounding lumber camps. Rich would sell them socks, coverlets, and yarn from out of his mule cart.

Pretty humble beginnings.

But in the next fifteen years, he had built a new mill further down the road which still stands today in the little town of Woolrich, Pennsylvania which expanded the company’s products and sales. As people’s lifestyles changed along with the ever-changing world around them, Woolrich never failed to find new means of production and advancements in technology, keeping itself a healthy, thriving company.

Woolrich has witnessed a lot: the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, The Great Depression, both World Wars, the Cold War, the Space Race, and the emergence of the Digital Age—all of which influenced the changes and growth of Woolrich.

From wool bathing suits to hunting coats to vehicle robes and steamer rugs, Woolrich has certainly expanded its trade. They were even contracted by the government in the late thirties to outfit a three-year, Antarctic expedition led by Admiral Byrd.

Along the way, Woolrich has come to perfect their recipe of wool, cotton, and manmade fibers with their excellent clothing and heavenly bedding! Everything Summer Camp is more than happy to be working with a company that has so much history; it’s great to offer blankets from the same company that blanketed soldiers in the Civil War.

That’s all for today, Camp Fans. Until next time. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hi, Camp Shoppers!

Moving along through March I’m sure that for many of you, summer camp preparations are starting to dwell heavier and heavier on your mind. There’s so much you need to get before camp starts, so let posts like these help give you a better idea of what you’re getting with our new products.

As hot as the days get at summer camp, the other foot always falls and with it, so does the temperature. Chilly nights and rainy days are inevitable; so, Parents, make sure your kids are prepared with the Fawn Grove Throw from Woolrich.

This blanket takes the chill out of a chilly night. It is as amazing as they come. You’ll have absolutely no problems staying warm when you cover up with this throw.

The great thing about the Fawn Grove Throw is its weight distribution. It’s the perfect balance between a bulky blanket and a light throw. You’re sure to fall asleep as you fall in love with this single-ply, warm, wool blanket.

Surprisingly lightweight and soft for 100% wool, there is so much to admire about the Fawn Grove Throw:

At 54” wide and 70” long, this blanket is certainly big enough to snuggle up in or use for two to share, covering their legs.

Whether it’s the stitching around the borders of the throw—a subtle and impressive touch—or simply the soft, plaid design, these beautiful blankets will likely hold you spellbound. That’s how you know the quality is real and definitely made in the Woolrich Woolen Mills.

The Fawn Grove Throw is available in a variety of diverse, dreamy colors so make sure you know in which one your camper will want to wrap up.

For a sneak peek of what you’re buying, I’d suggest using the zoom feature on our site. It’ll allow you to get real up close and personal with these throws. I think you’ll be happy to find that even extremely close up, the Fawn Grove Throw is the perfect summer camp blanket.

Dry clean for best care. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!

- John

Hey, Camp Enthusiasts!

When we first started this blog back in February, as an introduction I went over all the different topics we planned on posting about. Among a good handful of others, certain blog posts—such as this one—I’ll go into the intriguing details and stories of other companies with whom we do business.

On these posts, you’ll read all about companies who have become and still are essential to our country. Learn about the fun stories from companies like Columbia, 3 Cheers for Girls, and Crazy Creek—how their businesses got started and the success they’ve seen selling their particular products.

Today’s blog post concentrates on Kamik, a family-owned company based in Canada. Kamik has been successfully manufacturing and supplying footwear such as rain boots to Canada as well as the United States for over 100 years!

A lot has changed about the company since they first got their start in 1932—in fact, almost everything is different. They still make shoes, I guess. That’s about it. But in the midst of many modern companies shifting their business overseas, Kamik is still proud to be manufacturing their footwear with awesome success in North America.

Only several years after buying a footwear factory in Quebec, Mr. William Cook had to revamp the company’s products. They went from making old-fashioned women’s shoes to manufacturing modern footwear. This change ultimately saved the company from potentially closing its doors and losing the 200 jobs it provided.

Around the mid-forties, they were calling themselves General Footwear and in 1957, William Cook retired, leaving the company in the able hands of his son, Gordon.

Throughout the seventies, the company changed their name to Genfoot; and, though they wouldn’t really get to be known as Kamik until the nineties, they first started making footwear under the brand name Kamik which is the Inuit word for “foot covering”.

Not too long ago in 2003, Gordon Cook retired and his son Richard is now the president of the company. Kamik remains a thriving business that’s recently introduced a recyclable, PVC-free, synthetic rubber which keeps its flexibility and traction whether it’s a cold, wintry day or a summer camp scorcher.

As they say on their Web site, “We build footwear and clothing that let you embrace the elements and enjoy the outdoors in any weather.” So get into the Kamik spirit and enter the outdoors protected and ready!

Until next time, Readers! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Summer Campers!

Obviously you’re going to need a flashlight for your summer camp stay. How else are you going to light the trail on a late-night walk or tell spooky ghost stories to your friends?

If you want a really good flashlight, you should get the Hybrid Solar Flashlight. You will rave about it. Unlike any ordinary flashlight you’ve ever used, this triumph of human technology can hold a full charge for years!

The Hybrid Solar Flashlight

Have light working off the flashlight’s solar charge or off of its convenient, easy-to-change coin cells for your alternative to solar light. The flashlight recharges fast and retains its solar charge for a crazy long time so you should rarely have to rely on the actual coin cell batteries.

This thing will never leave you high and dry in the dark! Whether it receives its charge from the sun or from a light bulb, The Hybrid Solar Flashlight uses its revolutionary energy technology to recharge itself by means of either source! It’s extremely durable, it works under water, and it floats!

It’ll work great using it as a light for reading or writing, or pretty much as any general work light. It casts off an ample amount of usable light. And it’s smaller, brighter, and more lightweight than any other flashlight that can compare.

Don’t be fooled by its slender body and lightweight manner—the Hybrid was built to last whether your summer camp experience means kickin’ back to relax or actually roughin’ it in the great outdoors.

The best part about this flashlight is that it’s always charging if there’s light somewhere around it—it doesn’t need direct sunlight. The Hybrid will virtually charge in any room with a window, sitting near lamplight, or even while you’re telling ghost stories around the campfire.

Parents, the Hybrid Solar Flashlight is not only a great flashlight for camping but also as a general, around-the-house and emergency flashlight after camp is over. Get years and years and more years of use out of this incredibly convenient flashlight. Simply keep it on top of your refrigerator or somewhere with easy access to light and it will never lose charge!

Let’s hear it for the Hybrid Solar Flashlight! This thing is amazing! As always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!

- John

Hey there, Campers!

Last month we featured one of our summer camp celebrity blog posts about the lovely Anne Hathaway. We learned about her early aspirations to become a nun, about her fame by the young age of eighteen, and about her admiration for a favorite actress of hers, Meryl Streep.

Today I’ll be posting about a favorite actress of mine—not to mention, an accomplished musician! Who’s that girl? It’s the talented Zooey Deschanel. When she was a kid, Zooey went to summer camp at the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts.

Founded in 1970, French Woods is a performing arts summer camp owned by Ron Schaefer. The camp is located on a private lake called Sand Pond in the western area of the Catskill Mountains, just outside Hancock, New York.

If you have interest in the performing arts, French Woods is a camp for you to check out. They offer programs in dance, magic, visual arts, skateboarding, sport and horseback riding, and—oh yeah—technical theatre and music!—Ms. Deschanel’s two artistic passions in life.

Naturally gifted and graceful, Zooey’s reputation seems to point in the direction that as a child she enjoyed being a girly-girl. “I hate camping,” she’s said to have confessed. “But I love summer camp!”

Her interests in the performing arts and her influential summer camp experiences helped guide her along as she has paved the way for her own success.

One of her first roles, as a rebellious daughter, came around when she was 20 in the movie Almost Famous back when she was almost famous. She’s since gone on to play memorable roles in such films as Elf starring Will Ferrell, The Bridge to Terabithia, and (500) Days of Summer.

Extremely talented, Zooey knows more than just acting. She’s also musically inclined and knows how to play various percussion instruments, the banjo, the ukulele, and keyboard.

In 2006, she joined forces with master musician, Matt Ward, and together they released their debut album Volume One under the name She & Him. They have since released their follow-up album, Volume Two, as well as their very own Christmas collection, A Very She & Him Christmas.

Zooey has been nominated for a Golden Globe, a Grammy, and an Emmy Award as well. She is currently the star of the television sitcom New Girl on Fox.

All these talents she has now may have blossomed during her time at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts camp. Imagine what skills or talents might be nurtured in you when you go to camp! Till next time, readers. And, as always, thanks for reading!

John