Hey, Campers!

Do you picture yourself standing on a skateboard at summer camp on a sunny afternoon, determined to pull off a trick you’ve been trying all week. With a deep breath, you push off, attempting a kickflip for what feels like the hundredth time. You pop the board into the air, time slows down, and anticipation builds with each rotation of your board. And then, finally, the satisfying click of the wheels meeting the ground and your feet on the board—a successful kickflip, achieved through persistence and determination!

Tony Hawk is more than just a name in the world of skateboarding; he's a record-setter, an innovator, and an icon. Check out a camp experience he had back in the 80’s! Thanks to this Facebook post he wrote a handful of years back about that time, I’m going to let him do his own talking:

“I spent the summer of 1985 in a small town outside of Stockhom at the Eurocana Summer Camp with Lance Mountain and Rodney Mullen. We were skate camp ‘instructors’ for 5 weeks, with a rotation of European skaters coming in and out. It was a formative time in skating and for me personally, as I was gaining confidence, creating new tricks (like stale fish & 720’s) and absorbing all of the new experiences.”

For Hawk, the summer of 1985 was more than just a footnote in his skating journey—it was a transformative experience that helped define his love for skateboarding and solidified his place in the sport’s history.

As he continues to inspire a new generation of skaters, Hawk's legacy serves as a reminder that with passion, dedication, and a little bit of punk rock spirit, anything is possible on and off the skateboard. Thanks for reading, Everyone. Happy Skateboarding and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

As trunkmakers, here at Everything Summer Camp, we have incredible respect for the craft of woodworking—steeped in tradition all throughout history. Our trunks speak for themselves when it comes to their integrity, but tricks of the trade have helped us create such indestructible footlockers. How about the folks who came up with the tricks? There have been a select few who have truly left their mark on the industry. Today, let's take a peek at some of the most influential figures who have shaped woodworking as we know it:

Thomas Chippendale

Born in 1718 in London, England, Thomas elevated woodworking from a mere craft to an art form. His designs, featured in his book ‘The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director,’ continue to inspire woodworkers to this day.

William Sheraton

Born in 1751 in England, William believed in making fine furniture accessible to all. His designs, showcased in ‘The Cabinet Dictionary,’ focused on affordability without compromising quality.

Gustav Stickley

A champion of the Arts and Crafts movement, Gustav, born in 1858 in Minnesota, simplified furniture design by emphasizing natural materials and functionality over ornamentation.

George Nakashima

Japanese-American woodworker George, born in 1905 in Pennsylvania, viewed woodworking as an art form. His furniture designs, influenced by his upbringing in Japan, are celebrated for their craftsmanship and beauty.

Sam Maloof

Sam, born in 1916 in California, was known for his innovative furniture designs using local materials. His pieces, often crafted with individual wood strands, showcased his dedication to craftsmanship and creativity.

Wendell Castle

Born in 1932 in Kansas, Wendell pushed the boundaries of woodworking with his incorporation of paper mache into his designs. His work, delicate yet striking, continues to inspire artists and craftsmen worldwide.

James Krenov

James, born in 1927 in California, dedicated his life to creating beautiful pieces of art through woodworking. His teachings and writings have inspired countless woodworkers to pursue their craft with passion and dedication.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Scottish architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, born in 1868 in Glasgow, drew inspiration from nature to create modernist designs that left a lasting impact on architecture and the arts.

Bunzo Mikuni

Dubbed ‘the George Nakashima of Japan,’ Bunzo, born in 1915 in Tokyo, elevated woodworking through his furniture designs and craftsmanship. His legacy continues to influence woodworkers the world over.

In conclusion, the contributions of these influential woodworkers have shaped the craft of woodworking and left an indelible mark on its history. From their innovative designs to their dedication to craftsmanship, their legacies continue to inspire generations of woodworkers to come. Thanks for reading, Wood Fans! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey there, Summer Camp Enthusiasts!

Today we’re paying homage to the legendary Bruce Lee, an early pioneer among martial artists who left an everlasting impact on the world of combat sports. Known for his unparalleled skill, agility, and philosophy, Bruce Lee was more than just a martial artist—he was a trailblazer who revolutionized the way we perceive and practice martial arts.

Bruce Lee brought a fresh perspective to the world of martial arts. With his innovative approach and dedication to his craft, he introduced Jeet Kune Do, a martial arts philosophy that emphasized adaptability, efficiency, and practicality. Through his teachings and performances, Bruce Lee inspired countless martial artists and laid the foundation for modern mixed martial arts.

Bruce Lee's journey in martial arts began at an early age. His passion for the martial arts blossomed as he immersed himself in training and honed his skills under the guidance of renowned masters. Through dedication and perseverance, Bruce Lee transformed himself into a martial arts icon, captivating audiences with his lightning-fast strikes and unmatched charisma.

As we reflect on Bruce Lee's legacy, let's also celebrate the martial arts activities offered at summer camps around the world. Performing martial arts offers campers a unique avenue to explore their physical and mental capabilities. Whether it's karate, judo, or taekwondo, martial arts activities at summer camp provide campers with the opportunity to build confidence, discipline, and resilience while learning valuable self-defense skills.

Did you have the chance to participate in any martial arts activities during your camp stay this past summer or do you plan to participate in the coming camp season? Share your experiences in the comments below and keep the spirit of Bruce Lee alive as we continue to embrace the martial arts journey. Keep kicking, punching, and reaching for your goals. Thanks for reading, Camp Friends. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey there, Summer Camp Folks!

Gather 'round the campfire as we celebrate the incredible Chuck Berry, a true pioneer among guitar players who left an indelible mark on the world of rock 'n' roll. In fact, he would come to be known as the ‘Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ as he rocked the music scene like none other before him with his electrifying electric guitar and the infectious tunes he played on it way back in the 1950s when rock 'n' roll was just sprouting up. Let’s get right into his legendary guitar skills.

As Mr. Berry showed the world, playing a stringed instrument (such as the guitar) goes way beyond making music. It becomes a channel for self-expression and a way to connect with others. Any campers who picked up a guitar this season at their summer camp stay discovered their own creative power and the wonderful release through this creative outlet. As your campers strummed those guitars, they built up their patience, confidence, and determination.

Chuck was surrounded by a lively community and discovered his love for music at an early age. His talents blossomed, and he joined his church choir at the age of six. In high school, Chuck's passion for music grew, leading him to perform in talent shows and ultimately take guitar lessons from local jazz musician Ira Harris.

At 17, Chuck embarked on a journey with friends to California which marked the beginning of his incredible musical career that would inspire generations of musicians and shape the landscape of rock 'n' roll.

He honed his skills and set the stage on fire, bringing a very energetic presence to the scene as he played catchy riffs and sang lyrics that stuck in your head. Quickly developing his innovative guitar techniques, his playing paved the way for future generations of musicians to explore new horizons

Lift your guitar to the legend, Chuck Berry, and pay tribute to his absolute gift to the music. His pioneering spirit continues to inspire budding guitarists from more than 70 years on. Many summer camps offer exciting musical activities, including guitar lessons and jam sessions. Did you play any music during your summer camp stay? Leave a comment on this Blog post to let us know.

Thanks for reading, Camp Folks! Keep strumming those strings and rocking on! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Flag Fans!

An absolute blast, Capture the Flag has long been a staple of summer camp as well as playgrounds and backyard fun for kids of all ages. Children love the strategy, teamwork, and physical activity it takes to achieve victory in this game. The history of Capture the Flag goes back hundreds, even thousands of years. But where did this exciting game come from and how did it become a staple of summer camps?

Long ago, flags were more than just a symbol of identity or pride in a nation or group. They were paraded by a flag bearer on the battlefield as a source of moral support. Having the flag flying meant your troop was still putting up a fight. This is why in our national anthem, the lyric proclaims “…gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” The flag still flying was proof that the war was still on.

To play the game Capture the Flag, the playing field is divided into two clearly designated halves, or territories. Everybody splits into two teams—one to each territory. Each territory has a "flag" which is most often a piece of fabric (but can really be anything you want) that they have hidden or otherwise protected within their section of the playing field. Players then venture into the opposing team's territory, grab the flag and attempt to return with it to their territory without being tagged.

We owe the recorded rules of Capture the Flag to one German gymnast named Wilhelm Lübeck who put them down in the 1860 German gymnastic manual. These were the earliest known set of rules for the game. He didn’t call it Capture the Flag, though. He called it Fahnenbarlauf—named after an older European variation of the game called ‘Barlaufen’.

With such an enduring history to it, Capture the Flag is a true testament to the power of play and the importance of tradition in the summer camp experience. Make sure you get involved in a fun game of flag capturing at camp this year. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John