Happy Father's Day!

As the day dawns, families across the country eagerly prepare to honor and celebrate the remarkable fathers in their lives. Children excitedly create handmade cards adorned with colorful drawings and heartfelt messages, expressing their deep appreciation for the extraordinary men who have guided and supported them. Today’s all about Dear ol’ Dad!

With smiles stretching from ear to ear, children present their lovingly crafted gifts accompanied with an exuberant “Happy Father’s Day!!!”, filling fathers' hearts with warmth and joy. Yet, beyond the card lies an opportunity for quality time spent together. Perhaps today offers a chance to discuss upcoming summer plans including thoughts on summer camp.

Did your father go to summer camp when he was your age? Inquiring about his time there is a great way to show interest in his life and would be a great gift on Father’s Day to go down memory lane with him.

How many years ago was it that your dad attended summer camp? What kind of memorable experiences did he have back in the day at summer camp? Did he form lasting friendships or acquire new skills during his time away? Perhaps he fondly recalls evenings spent around the campfire, swimming in the refreshing waters of the lake, or embarking on thrilling wilderness adventures.

For children eagerly anticipating their own summer camp adventures, learning about their father's experiences can offer valuable insights and inspiration. Will they be attending the same camp he did? Imagining themselves following in his footsteps can amplify the excitement and anticipation of their upcoming camp journey, fostering a special bond across generations.

Even if your father didn't attend summer camp, he remains an excellent confidant for discussing any concerns or excitement surrounding the approaching camp season. So, on this Father's Day, cherish the time spent together and revel in the anticipation of the camp season ahead. Thanks for joining us, everyone. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Happy Mothers’ Day!

As the day arrives, children across the world awaken with excitement, eager to show their mothers just how much they’re cherished. Crafting handmade cards adorned with colorful drawings and heartfelt messages, kids give these creations as tokens of love and gratitude for the incredible women who have nurtured and supported them throughout their lives:

Mom.

As children present these gifts with beaming smiles and outstretched arms, mothers are filled with warmth and joy over the love with which they’re presented. More than a kind gesture like a card, mothers are sure to love some quality time spent with you on this special day. Perhaps there will be a good time today that you could talk about the upcoming summer camp stay.

Did your mother embark on any summer camp excursions when she was younger? Did she forge any lifelong friendships or master any new skills during her time at camp? Perhaps she has fond memories of roasting marshmallows by the campfire, swimming in the cool waters of the lake, or embarking on exciting wilderness hikes.

For children who are planning to attend summer camp themselves, exploring their mothers' experiences can provide valuable insights and inspiration. Is there a chance they'll be attending the same camp that she did? Imagining themselves following in their mother's footsteps can add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to their own camp adventures, fostering a sense of connection across generations.

Of course, if your mother never did attend summer camp, she’s probably still a great person to talk to about your concerns or excitement about the approaching camp season. Enjoy spending time with your mother today and enjoy your rising anticipation the closer we get to Opening Day of camp. Thanks for reading, Everybody. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Happy First of May, Summer Lovers!

The sun casts its golden rays, the forests are full with foliage once again, and the water invites you in. May has arrived—time to enjoy hiking through lush green forests, swimming in crystal-clear lakes, and simple picnics in the park. With nature coming alive all around us, there's no better time to indulge in the great outdoors and soak up the beauty of the natural world than the month of May.

Its very name comes from Maia, the Greek goddess of fruitfulness and fertility. Similar to how this month brings us blooming flowers, buzzing bees, and the start of summer fun, Maia was all about growth, abundance, and new beginnings! Here are some other interesting facts about May:

The Green Birthstone

Among some of the most precious birthstones on earth like rubies and diamonds, May has one of the rarest gemstones associated with it. Which one? The Emerald! This beautiful green stone represents love and success—just like the warm friendships and awesome adventures you'll find at summer camp.

Always a New Day

May is like no other month! Why? Throughout the year, other months will repeat which day of the week they begin on. This year, for instance, the first of November will land on a Friday—the same day on which March began. May, however, never starts or ends on the same day of the week as any other month! Isn't that cool? May has its own special way of dancing through the days to make it unique!

On This Day in History

On May 1, 1931, The Empire State Building opened its doors—a towering marvel of engineering! It held the title of the world's tallest building for nearly four decades until newer skyscrapers came along, reaching new heights on the skyline. But Empire State Building remains an iconic and breathtaking symbol of New York City.

May also brings with it a sense of excitement and anticipation for the summer camp season. As the school year comes to a close, thoughts turn to the adventures that lie ahead at camp like making new friends, learning new skills, and creating memories that will last a lifetime!

The camp season will be here before you know it, so take the time to acquire the proper gear and review important information with your camper, such as emergency contact numbers, medical information, and instructions from the camp. Have them pack personal items they’ll want to bring along like books, games, and photos from home. Thanks for reading, Camp Fans. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Leapers!

Every four years, our calendars do something extraordinary—they gain an extra day! This day, February 29th, is a rare treat! To celebrate, we’re appropriately taking $29 off our camp trunks if you purchase your trunk today on Leap Day. Take your pick from our wide selection of our Traditional Steel Trunks, Designer Trunks, and even our Pop Up Soft Trunks.

Have you ever wondered why we call it a ‘leap’ year, though? After all, it doesn't seem like we're leaping anywhere, right? So why LEAP Day?

Well, the technical term for inserting extra time into a calendar is called ‘intercalation’—say that five times fast. I’m not even sure how to pronounce it one time! Since this word doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, people have opted to call it something a bit catchier. But how’d we land on the word ‘leap’?

Well, typically, as we move from year to year, a date will advance by one day of the week. For instance, if Christmas fell on a Sunday one year, you'd expect it to land on a Monday the next year, following a gradual, one-day progression.

During a leap year, however, something different happens. The calendar takes a bold leap ahead, advancing each date not by one, but by two days of the week! For example, this last Christmas graced us on a Monday. Fast forward to Christmas at the end of this year, 2024, and it will leap right over Tuesday and fall perfectly on a Wednesday!

So, the term Leap Year is essentially a nod to this phenomenon. It highlights the calendar's dramatic jump, where dates sprint ahead by two days, instead of their usual one-day stride.

But why do we need this extra day every four years? Well, our calendars work pretty well. They’re not perfect, though. In order to keep in sync with the cycles of heavenly bodies, we add this extra day to the end of February every four years.

So, the next time you witness this rare occurrence of February 29th on your calendar, remember that it's not just any day—it's a LEAP day, when our calendar makes a jump to keep pace with the grand cosmic ballet. Thanks for reading, Camp Folks. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey there, Halloween-Loving Camp Folks!

Here at Everything Summer Camp, we’re big fans of Halloween. Summer camp and Halloween...at first thought, the two don’t have anything in common. Upon further inspection, however, it makes perfect sense. There are actually more than a few similarities between summer camp and the festivities surrounding Halloween and the harvest season.

Both Halloween and summer camp are all about fun times and abounding excitement! They both help shape a sense of community and they both encourage creativity as well as imagination. Let’s take a deeper look at some other similarities between the two…

Traditions and Rituals

Both Halloween and summer camp have their own set of cherished traditions and rituals. Whether it's lighting jack-o'-lanterns and going trick-or-treating or singing campfire songs and going for a hike, these customs become an integral part of the experience and create a sense of nostalgia.

Outdoor Activities

While Halloween is typically celebrated in the fall, the season often includes outdoor activities like haunted hayrides, corn mazes, apple orchards, and pumpkin patches. It’s also a great time of year (weather provided) for a woodsy walk so you can see the explosion of colors among the trees! Summer camp too revolves around outdoor adventures such as hiking, swimming, and campfires, creating a shared love for the great outdoors.

Independence and Growth

Summer camp encourages independence and personal growth as children learn new skills, face challenges, and gain self-confidence. Halloween allows kids to step out of their comfort zones by wearing costumes and interacting with neighbors, helping them develop social and communication skills—maybe even face a fear or two!

Whether you're around a campfire or carving a jack-o'-lantern, these experiences help shape our lives and create lasting memories. So, as you prepare for your Halloween fun, give a little nod to all the summer camp similarities you pick up on and appreciate the common threads that bind these two beloved traditions together. Thanks for reading, Everyone. Have a splendidly spooky holiday and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John