Hello, Winter Lovers!

This really is a magical time of year when we gape in the beauty of the natural world as it has transformed into an absolute wonderland. Take advantage of your kid’s time off from school this winter vacation and get the family out to do something fun! Winter days don’t always call you outside the way that sunny summer days do, but once you’re out in this puffy precipitation, you’re sure to have a wonderful time!

In case you’re stalling with choices, here are just a few examples of awesome, seasonal activities you could experience with your family:

Sledding

Sledding is a great thrill in winter. Feel the cold air rush past your face as you race down a hill of crunching snow. You can head out to a hill on your own or with a group of friends—so long as you bring a sled along, it’s sure to be a blast! And, of course, hauling your sled all the way back up a hill creates a taxing exercise with irresistible incentive! 

Ice Skating

Sure, you could do an indoor rink, but, for maximum enjoyment, I would recommend taking your skating trip outside. This is a great way to spend a winter afternoon and can deliver some great exercise!

Sleigh Ride

Treat your family to the splendor of a ride in a one-horse open sleigh! The memory made is sure to last a million winters. A fantastic treat like this is sure to leave a lasting thrill for winters to come and such a cool memory to share!

So don’t let the doldrums of cabin fever settle into your household this winter. Get your family out there in the great, white outdoors and get your body movin’! And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!

- John

Happy Hanukkah, Boys and Girls!

How do you celebrate this holy day of Judaism, the religion of the Jewish community? I’ve written a number of Blog posts to explore the history and the meaning behind these honored eight days, but here are some totally new facts about Hanukkah that you maybe didn’t know. Check out these three interesting points:

Enough Sufganiyot for Everyone!

Sufganiyot is a traditional doughnut treat that folks really fill up on during this celebration! First, the doughnut is deep-fried, then filled with jam or custard, and then topped with powdered sugar. There are about 17.5 million of these oily, little doughnuts eaten in Israel and during Hanukkah. That’s a lotta doughnuts!

You'd Better be Gambling in There…

Ever wonder how the dreidel became such a popular Hanukkah tradition? Well, back in the days of Greek oppression, studying the Torah was considered illegal. When the Greeks would make surprise raids, these quick-thinking students would stash the Torah under a sheet and start rolling a dreidel as though they were playing a simple, gambling game all along. Pretty sneaky, eh?

Are You Sure it’s Supposed to be Eight Days?

Yeah. Hanukkah is celebrated over the course of eight days, but the miracle of the oil really only lasted seven, right? When the Maccabees recaptured the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, it’s true that they found a jar of oil to use that was naturally supplied to them—nothing miraculous, you might think. But including the front day in the celebration signifies that everything of the ‘natural’ world is a miracle from God.

Did you already know any of these holiday facts about the celebration of Hanukkah? We hope you learned something today! And be sure to check out our new Hanukkah print apparel that we have available for the holiday by clicking here! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, all you good girls and boys!

Today is St. Nick’s Day—a sort of precursor to Christmas Eve in which this jolly ol’ elf makes a visit to our houses and leaves a small gift. It’s typically a bowl of ripe produce like apples and oranges and maybe a couple of tasty chocolate treats too. But I think it’s mostly just about getting kids of all ages excited about the coming Christmas visit that he’ll make!

More than 1700 years ago, before he was known as Santa Claus or he got the nickname Kris Kringle, he was known as Nicholas. As a young man who lost the both of his parents to sickness, Nicholas used his inheritance from his parents to give to the poor and help the sick people in his community.

Even in a society that rarely sought justice, Nicholas went through the trouble and risk of imprisonment in order to continue helping those in need. He even thought of sneaking on rooftops and dropping gold coins or medicine or toys down folks’ chimneys. 

Despite his deeds of goodwill—or more so because of his deeds of goodwill—St. Nicholas eventually was imprisoned. A law that claimed he could not help out his fellow man was something that he could not abide and so he rebelled against it by continuing his acts of goodwill. For this, he was made to spend 20 years in jail.

When finally released from prison, the Roman government had shifted its views on Christianity and Nicholas simply continued the life of goodwill he had started before his imprisonment. He was eventually made into a saint for his unending generosity. Since he’s never stopped his tradition of giving, to this day, girls and boys find presents magically waiting for them on Christmas morning.

Happy St. Nicholas Day and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hello and Happy Fourth of July, Camp-Spirited Citizens!

Today in the United States, we celebrate our Independence Day. This annual holiday is referred to as Independence Day and each nation celebrates the specific date when it achieved its freedom. Every country the world over has its own independence day aside from Britain and Scotland since these countries were never under the rule of another government.

We’re pretty familiar with our own celebrations here in the states, but have you ever wondered how other nations across the world celebrate the days that their country achieved self-governing recognition after being under the rule of another colony or state?

Here are just a few examples of other countries independence days and how they celebrate:

Mexico – September 16, 1810
Not May 5^th as so many people believe it to be, Mexico celebrates their freedom from Spain with their president ringing the historic liberty bell the previous night. Then the next day is brimming with traditional parades, dances, bullfights, and more.

India – August 15, 1947
Previously under rule from the British government, India gained its independence soon after World War II ended. Much like our American celebrations, India puts on parades and fireworks shows. They even participate in kite-flying contests.

Barbados – November 30, 1966
The island country of the West Indies, Barbados gained independence from the government of the United Kingdom. In observation of this day, Barbadians prepare their traditional seafood plates and hold art competitions throughout the entire month of their independence.

You can find lots more information about our own American independence from the rule of Britain and how we came to celebrate our Fourth of July customs on this Blog. Start your learning journey by clicking here. Have fun with your traditional celebrations today and, as always, thanks for reading! Happy Fourth, Camp Fans!

- John

Hey, Proud Dads!

Happy Father’s Day! Today is a day set aside to honor the unconditional, loving support that fathers give to their children every day. On Father’s Days past, I’ve given out gift ideas for dear ol’ dad—things that you could either purchase or things that you could make on your own for free with items found around the house. Today, however, I’m talking about some things you can do WITH your father to make his Father’s Day feel a little more special!

Play catch
Your dad will be sure to appreciate the gesture if you ask him to go play a simple game of catch in the backyard. Dads love ‘Catch’! Whether they want to throw a baseball, a football…SCOOPball—it doesn’t matter. You’ll both enjoy the activity in the fresh air and sunshine—not to mention the quality time you get to spend together.

Catch a Movie
My dad was a movie buff for sure! See if your dad wants to throw something in from your home collection or maybe make some time to head out and catch a show at the theater! You can’t beat the big screen (or the popcorn…or the pretzels)!

Get Musical
Does your dad love music? Maybe he plays an instrument! See if he has time to show off his talents and maybe you can even join in for background accompaniment. Whether you are musically gifted or not, it can be a great bonding experience to let the harmonies and vibrations boost your spirits together!

Play a Game
I don’t know about all of your dads, but my dad and I played a zillion games back in the day. He was a Chess junkie and enjoyed a mean game of Trivial Pursuit. We played video games, card games, and dice games—whatever sort of game is up your dad’s alley, see if he’s interested in playing that tonight!

These are just some ideas that will more-than-likely make your father’s Father’s Day today. Or maybe these ideas have inspired you to go spend some quality time with your dad in some other way that the two of you can enjoy. In any case, enjoy the fun with your dad and give him the best Father’s Day you can! Happy Father’s Day to fathers everywhere and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John