Happy Physical Fitness Day!

Summer camp means time for fun! Most camps offer a plethora of well-rounded sports and physical activities ranging from tennis to rock climbing! Such an active itinerary will require good footwork, coordination, along with upper and lower body strength. With so many exciting physical activities on the schedule, it's important for campers to be physically prepared. Read this post to understand the importance of physical fitness behind the fun and games.

Let’s find ourselves a random daily schedule for an average summer camper. We’ll pick……Ashley.

 

Camp Schedule

Morning Hike
After a delicious breakfast, Ashley is off to begin her day with a morning hike. There isn’t a much better activity to start the day than a walk through nature. Trails can vary greatly on how challenging they are. Depending on the intensity, Ashley may want to warm up with light exercises like jumping jacks or squats.

Basketball
Once she’s back from her morning hike, the Sports Counselor quickly splits the girls into teams and a game of basketball begins. Before heading to camp, campers should work on their speed and agility by incorporating exercises like sprints, ladder drills, and cone drills into their workout routine.

Swim
After lunch is Swim time! It’s important to be prepared for long hours in the pool. Before heading to camp, campers should work on their endurance, upper body strength, and breathing techniques.

The rest of Ashley’s day is filled with dinner, enjoying a campfire, and playing a card game with some friends before bed. She enjoyed the rest of her day at camp without any cramping muscles or other repercussions from the physical activities she took part in throughout the day.

 

Before Camp

Here are some things you can do before summer camp starts in order to get your body in shape for the coordination and endurance you’ll need to enjoy those jam-packed summer days like Ashley!

Light Exercises
Focus on exercises like running, jumping jacks, and burpees. You can improve your coordination by performing regular exercises like jumping rope and playing catch with a friend.

Incorporate other exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and lunges to build upper body strength. Additionally, campers can work on their breathing techniques by practicing holding their breath underwater and exhaling slowly when coming up for air.

Stretch Afterward
Just like you want to warm up with some light exercises before engaging in physical activities, you want to take some time to do some stretches after your activities.

Stretching out your muscles helps prevent soreness and injury. Stretching is also important for flexibility—an important part of physical performance. Try stretching exercises like toe touches, lunges, and arm circles.

 

Make sure that you’re physically prepared for all the activities on the schedule for your summer camp stay. Following these tips, your camper is sure to have a fun and safe time this summer. Thanks for reading, Camp Folks! And, as always, Happy Camping!

 

- John

Summer camp is just around the corner and it's time to start packing! But with so many activities and potential weather conditions to consider, it can be overwhelming to figure out all the different gear you ought to pack for your camper. Don't worry—at Everything Summer Camp, this is our time to shine! We've got you covered with this comprehensive guide on what to pack for your child’s summer adventure.

 

Clothing

Clothing is an obvious starting point. Make sure to consider athletic apparel for specific activities in which your camper will be participating. Also include casual clothes for daytime and comfortable clothing for the night that will be appropriate for the climate of your camp.

Daily Clothes
Most camps provide a packing list that include a count for shirts, shorts, pants, and hoodies, but it's important to pack enough for the duration of your stay. Consider packing 1.5 times the number of days between laundry services to ensure you have enough clean clothes.

Socks & Underwear
Remember to pack extra socks, underwear, and bras as well since campers can go through more than one pair in a day, especially if they go swimming. Bring socks for hiking too! Merino wool socks are naturally antibacterial, resist odor, and wick moisture away. Kids at camp just might grab the SAME pair of socks from yesterday, but socks from Smartwool don’t need to be washed after each use.

Other Articles
When it comes to less everyday clothing, you'll want to bring a waterproof raincoat or hooded poncho for those sudden summer showers. And if you plan on spending time in the water, quick-drying swimwear is a must. Bathrobes are also a more comfortable option than a wrapped towel when walking back from the bathhouse.

 

Gear

Be sure to think of any of the necessary items for any of the activities your camper is looking forward to. This may mean a fishing pole and tackle box or it could be a musical instrument. Here are the top three general must-haves

 

Laundry Bags
Laundry bags are not always required by summer camps, but they are certainly helpful. It's best to purchase one that is roomy enough to accommodate a week's worth of clothes and features a drawstring closure so odors don’t escape. Labeling the bag with your camper's name is essential, just like everything else. If feasible, try to wash the laundry bag along with the rest of your camper's clothes on laundry day for optimal cleanliness.

 

Flashlights
Pack a reliable source that can handle the rigors of camp life. A durable and bright LED flashlight with a minimum of 25 lumens is a must-have for any camper. Be sure to pack extra alkaline batteries just in case. For those who prefer hands-free lighting, a headlamp is a great option. Just make sure it's bright enough to light the way on a moonless night.

Water Bottles
A sturdy and reliable water bottle is a must for your camper’s hydration at camp. Look for bottles made from durable, BPA-free plastic or stainless steel that can be completely sealed when the top is screwed on. Avoid big plastic cups with built-in straws, as they tend to leak and spill, making them unsuitable for outdoor activities like hiking. A high-quality water bottle should be able to withstand any successive drops and rolls.

Footwear

Your child will likely be participating in activities at camp like hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and more. Having the appropriate footwear can help prevent injuries and ensure that your child is comfortable throughout their activities. Proper footwear can make all the difference in your child's summer camp experience, so take the time to make sure they have what they need.

Boots
Does your camper need a pair of rainboots? What about boots for hiking or horseback riding? Be sure to pack the right kind of boots for the outdoor activities your camper plans to enjoy.

Shoes
Make sure to pack proper tennis shoes for your camper’s camp activities as well. We have excellent footwear that offer great functionality for sports performance while also bringing comfort and style.

Sandals
Sandals are iconic for summertime! Hiking or playing sports in a pair of rubber or cork sandals can lead to crushed toes, broken toenails, and twisted ankles. But at Everything Summer Camp, we offer closed-toe, protective sandals with high traction to meet the needs for safety on summer camp terrain. A pair of quick-drying shower shoes for shower cleanliness and easy traction around the poolside is a smart purchase as well.

 

Headgear

Summer fun is full of bugs, sun, sweat, and splashing it up in a pool or lake. Keep the elements out of your eyes and face with some helpful headgear. We have a plethora of accessories and options.

Bandanas, Headbands, and Hats
These pieces are helpful to keep hair and sweat out of your face. Not to mention, hats offer the advantage of keeping ticks off your head.

Sunglasses
The summer sun is blindingly beautiful—make sure your camper is equipped to properly shield their eyes with a cool pair of sunglasses! A good pair blocks 100% of UV rays. The best are also polarized to reduce glare.

Swim Goggles
Goggles are useful during swim lessons—especially when you’re trying new skills that involve putting your face in the water or actually swimming underwater. If your camper is planning on spending a lot of time in the water, a good pair of swim goggles are absolutely essential to protect their eyes from pool chemicals, prevent irritation, and aid their vision.

 

Bedding

Sound nights of sleep are especially important at camp. Your camp’s information packet should give you a good idea of what kind of bedding you need to bring whether it’s nothing at all (if the camp is supplying all the sheets, blankets, and pillows) or everything (if the camp supplies only a cot, bed, platform, or bare earth).

Covers
Bring a flat cotton sheet for those sweltering summer nights. Even if your camp says you only need a sleeping bag, a soft fitted sheet can make a plastic mattress cover much more comfortable. If the camp provides mattresses, a fitted sheet will make for a much more comfortable sleeping surface than a sleeping bag. Don't forget that many camp mattresses come in odd sizes, so be sure to check the measurements before you buy your bedding. With the right sheets, you can make your camper’s bed feel just like home!

 

Accessories
You can add a layer of cushioning to your camper’s bunk with an inexpensive foam bedroll. We offer an egg-crate mattress pad made of memory foam. It’s also a good idea to bring some pillows. Even if the camp supplies pillows, you still may want to bring your own. Remember to pack at least two pillow cases so you can use one while the other is in the laundry!

Sleeping Bags
When it comes to sleeping bags, comfort and warmth are the two key factors to consider. Firstly, make sure you choose a bag that fits you well, so you're not tossing and turning all night. Secondly, think about the conditions you'll be camping in and choose a bag with an appropriate warmth rating. For most summer camps, a bag rated for arctic temperatures is not necessary and can be uncomfortable in hot and humid weather. However, if you plan on backpacking or camping in colder weather, it's best to consult with the camp or a gear expert to ensure you have the right bag for your needs.

 

Toiletries

Find the toiletries you need for summer camp here. We have toothbrush covers, travel cups, camp mirrors, first-aid kits and plenty more travel toiletries you may need for your adventures—perfect for kids going to summer camp, or anyone with plans to travel. Make sure to pack any medication your child will need during their time away as well!

Towels
We have an assortment of bath towels, beach towels, and washcloths. Find several different styles and materials to meet your needs for camp this summer. With different patterns and colors to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find something to help your camper feel more at home while they’re away at camp.

Essentials
Here we have a bunch of small items. Grab them all right here and get them crossed off the list! Essentials for summer camp range from sun and bug protection to soap, nail clippers to deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste to lip balm, hair care and body wash products to shaving razors.

Toiletry Bags
We know how important it is to keep all these smaller items in the same spot with one of our many toiletry bags! Find organizer kits, caddies, totes, and more all right here!

 

Miscellaneous Stuff

Of course, there’s lots of random stuff to remember to bring along as well. If your child wears glasses, for instance, it’s a good idea to include an eyeglass repair kit. Here are a few other good ideas to pack along.

Journals
Writing things down is an extremely useful means of cementing events as they come to pass. All of the people you meet, skills you learn, and things you do—it’s great to review all of those new experiences you’ve had in the form of written word in order to help process and reflect on what you’ve learned.

Games
We have a lot of other fun items that you might consider taking along as well—depending on your interests. We have books for quiet time, classic games, playing cards, and so much more for your entertainment.

Stationery
To ensure some correspondence from camp, many parents buy pre-stamped postcards or envelopes at the post office and address them ahead of time to home, grandparents, and important friends. We offer awesome stationery products your camper will love to use!

 

 

The final item to pack is your packing list itself! It’s a good idea to attach your packing list to the inside lid (if you have a camp trunk) or some visible spot in your container. Keeping your packing list around will make it easier to ensure that everything that went to camp is coming back.

One last note—don’t forget to include your child in the packing process! It’s important for kids to feel as though they have a certain amount of control throughout the different processes of camp prep! Be sure to involve them with packing so they know how to operate all the camp gear they’re bringing and know where everything is.

Help your camper get the most out of their summer camp experience by making sure their packed with all the right stuff. As always, thanks for reading. And, Happy Camping! 

 

- John

Welcome, Camp Preppers!

Essential to the summer camp experience, camp trunks are the quintessential means of storing all of your summer camp gear and providing a makeshift dresser that campers can ‘live out of’ throughout their camp stay. They also serve as a way to express your personality and style. One of the best ways to personalize your trunk is by decorating it.

Your camp trunk is an expensive investment, so how you decorate it is worth careful consideration. There are many ways to decorate your trunk, from stickers to paint to unique trunks offered right here at Everything Summer Camp. Here are some tips and ideas to help you with your trunk decorating to truly make your trunk YOUR OWN!

 

DIY Trunk Decoration

With a bit of imagination and some simple materials, you can turn your trunk into an eye-catching piece that speaks volumes of your personality. From stickers to fabrics to paints and more, there are many ways to personalize your trunk and make it stand out in the sea of trunks at summer camp. Roll up your sleeves and explore some fun and easy DIY trunk decorating ideas!

Stickers/Decals
Stickers are a classic and cost-effective means of camp trunk decoration. They’re easy to apply, and many campers love to collect stickers from places they visit, sticking them on their trunk as a collage of mementos of adventures past.

Getting Creative
Depending on how creative you’re willing to get, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your trunk decorating. Some campers have been known to use fabric and lace decoration. Others use felt and ribbon to decorate their trunks.

Painting
If you're looking for a more unique and personalized look for your trunk, painting it is always an option. People use stencils and tape to create designs, or you can freehand your own artwork. Choose colors that reflect your personality and style, and have fun with it! Just be sure to use paint that is appropriate for the trunk material, and allow plenty of time for it to dry before packing.

 

A Professional Paint Job

Take your trunk decorating to the next level with a professional trunk painting job. Not only will this route give your trunk a unique and personalized appearance, but it can also help ensure that your trunk stands out from all the others at camp. But before you send your trunk off to be painted, here are a few trunk painting tips to help you through the process.

Designing your Design
Research and read reviews so you can choose a company that provides quality work and excellent customer service. You can consult with the company you plan to use to get some design ideas or work with them to create your desired image and they’ll make your vision come to life!

Getting your Trunk Prepared
Preparing your trunk for its paint job means a thorough trunk cleaning. Remove any stickers or residue you might have on the exterior surfaces. Some companies may require you to sand down the surface of the trunk or prime it before painting. When you’re done doing that, be sure to blow off and/or vacuum the trunk exterior so you don’t risk any of those dust particles getting stuck underneath the layer the paint job. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully.

Shipping Trunks
Once you’re ready to ship your trunk, you’ll want to pack it carefully to avoid any damage in transit. You may also want to insure your trunk in case of loss or damage. The painting process can take several weeks, so being patient is necessary. Once it’s been painted, the company will ship your personalized trunk back to you.

 

The Everything Summer Camp Way

For the most dazzling trunk decorations, leave it to us—the trunk experts—at Everything Summer Camp. In addition to offering stickers and decals as well as nameplates for your trunk personalization, we also provide a range of stylish and durable trunks with the decoration literally built right into the construction. Take a closer look to understand what I mean and learn about the myriad of options we offer so your trunk stands out as YOURS at summer camp!

LidSkinz
The largest of our trunk accessories (before getting into our trunks themselves), our LidSkinz cover the entire top surface of your camp trunk. Create your own design before your very eyes on our website with our awesome LidSkinz designer tool. Your design then gets printed onto our trunk exterior material and installed underneath the trunk hardware with the rest of the metal. Onto our trunks…

Trunk Options
First of all, it’s worth noting that our traditional steel trunks are already dressed in your pick from 20 available color options—more than any other trunk manufacturer. Our Black Trim Trunk option is an easy way to add a stunning, distinguished effect to your trunk. We also offer the Create-Your-Own Footlocker that grants you power to apply any of our color options to any of the 10 steel panels of your trunk so you can create a theme or just go crazy with random patchwork. It all looks great!

Designer Trunks
Revolutionizing the camp trunk, our Designer Trunks portray an amazing print that covers the whole camp trunk. It’s an impressive spectacle, the likes of which you’ve never seen before. Choose a trunk design that speaks to you from Mermaids and Unicorns to Aquariums and Llamas—whatever you like best! We literally offer hundreds of different designs.

 

Ultimately, however you choose to decorate your camp trunk, remember to have fun with it and make it your own. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your trunk uniquely your own. Remember, your camp trunk is more than just a storage unit! It’s an extension of your personality—a reflection of your individuality!

Don't be afraid to let your creativity run wild and explore different options to make your trunk a true expression of who you are. With these trunk decorating tips and ideas for personalized trunks, you're sure to make your trunk one of the most memorable and talked-about items at summer camp.

Hey, Camp Folks!

Of course every item on your packing list is important to bring along when you’re packing for camp—that’s why they’re on the list. But there are certain items commonly forgotten or overlooked that you definitely don’t want to forget! Being sure to pack essential items on your packing list will help ensure that your camper has a safe and enjoyable summer camp stay.

Here are the top six most important items to bring to camp:

#6 – Comfort items
You’ll need to replenish all the energy you can throughout your nights at summer camp which means making sure you remain comfortable. Remember to pack cozy bedding, a warm blanket, a fan, and a stuffed animal for camp.

#5 – Extra socks
Of course you’re going to send your camper with some cotton socks—who isn’t? But make sure they have a couple pair of nice wool socks as well! Some camps even specify to include wool. Playing around in the outdoors, there’s no telling when you camper might need to change out their socks for a fresh pair.

#4 – Toiletries
Floss, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap… These are all essential items that you’ll want to make sure you have along when it’s time to head out for summer camp. They will help you remain hygienic so you’re not offensive to others.

#3 – Water Bottle
Hydration is crucial during the summer season—and even more so when you’re engaging in particularly physical activities. You definitely want to be able to bring water on your person throughout all the different events of your jam-packed camp days. Make sure you bring your own reusable water bottle.

#2 – Medication
This one doesn’t require much explanation. And, of all the items on this list, it’s the only one that’s an absolute necessity (potentially for your survival). It may have been the #1 item, except I reserved that for…

#1 – Camp Trunk
No, I’m not just saying that because we’re Everything Summer Camp—the home of C&N Footlockers. I’m placing this as the most important item that you bring to camp because not only does it provide safekeeping for all your other gear, but it’s your own personal dresser space throughout your camp stay.

Keep track on your packing list of what you have packed. Double-check and then triple-check  so you can be sure you have these six most important pieces of camping gear. Also, make sure to go over all the items as you pack with your child to make sure they have everything they need and know where to find it.

Help your camper get the most out of their summer camp experience by making sure they're packed with all the right stuff. As always, thanks for reading. And, Happy Camping! 

 

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

Once summer camp comes to a close it’s Back-to-School prep and it’s not long after that that the holiday season rolls around. Here we are now one month into the new year and getting ready for summer camp is probably the last thing on your mind. It’s a little early to be thinking about summer camp right now anyway, right? What’s there to be done for camp this time of year?

LOTS!!!

Work in Advance
There’s plenty to cross off the camp prep list. And many summer camps fill all their available spots SEVERAL MONTHS before Opening Day! If you wait until late May to get your child signed up, the remaining spots available may only be found at second-rate camps. You want the best you can manage for your kid, no doubt, so don’t procrastinate and try to get your kid signed up for camp by April!

Where to Camp
While it would be best at this point if you knew which summer camp you’d like you’re child to attend, don’t fret if you haven’t figured that out yet. You have time, but it’s something you’ll want to get moving on quickly. Speed up your search by looking for camps whose directors have a long tenure, whose staff is comprised of mostly former campers, and whose camper return rate is above 75%!

What to Do
Once you’ve identified the right summer camp for you and your camper, there’s plenty more to cross off your to-do list—things like scheduling a physical exam, acquiring all the items on your camp’s packing list, preparing your camper and yourself against homesickness/childsickness, making logistical plans for Opening, Visiting, and Closing Day, and even more.

Life gets busier and busier all the time. Make sure to do your child and yourself the favor of acting now on looking into the camp that’s best for you. Be sure to include your child in the camp prep process every step of the way to give them a sense of ownership over their camp stay and give them a feeling of control while they’re away! 

 

- John