Hey, Camp Fans!

Not only are kids back from summer camp, but summer camp itself is back! Yes, the vast majority of summer camps are back up and running for the 2021 season after shutting down for the summer along with the rest of the world. I hope you all had a blast with camp reopening this year. And, along with the reopening of camp, comes the reopening of our ‘Share You Camp Story’ Contest!

We can’t wait to hear what a blast you all had this summer! With our return, we’re making just a couple adjustments to the contest. First of all, we’re upping our prizes—including our participatory prize which, as of this year, is a $20 Gift Card for our online store! See the rest of our prizes for ten lucky winners below. Secondly, we’ve created the option this year to submit your camp story to us in video format. Tell your camp story to a camera, upload your recorded video to YouTube, and leave a link to your video in place of your written submission.

If you'd like to submit your camp story in video form, maybe you'd want to include some props. You can deliver your story while sitting on your camp trunk or wearing your summer camp tee. Or show us the stuffed animal that brought you comfort while you were away!

What About?
There’s an endless list of things you could write about for your submission—a list of everything you ate while at camp, for instance. But the best submissions are written about the parts of camp that meant the most to you. Take your time to really set the scene for us. Tell us about your most memorable moment or talk about all the great people you met. Maybe you want to write about the camp you went to and why you think it’s the best!

Maybe you want to include what it was like to be denied the opportunity to go to camp last year and how it was to have the opportunity back this summer. Maybe you DID go to camp last year. In that case, how were things different this year? It may be a crummy part of our history, but we ARE recording history with these camp stories.

If you're still unsure what to share, take a look at our previous submissions by clicking right here and maybe you'll get some inspiration!

No matter what you choose to share, we’d love to hear it! Include your first and last name as well as the name of the camp you visited and how long you’ve been going to camp. Submissions must be 150 words to qualify, but go for more if want! If you're submitting a video, make sure the video is at least one minute and thirty seconds.

Submit your entry by clicking here. There is no entry fee. If you're under the age of 18, you'll need permission from your parent or guardian to participate in this Contest. We’re taking submissions from now until the very last minute of August.

And speaking of parents—we certainly love hearing from you as well; so don’t hesitate to enter your own submission if you’d like to share your own story. How did the experience go on your end? Has your kid shown a positive change in character and behavior? How did you cope with your camper being away? Did you learn any lessons? Tell us anything you want, really—we’re all ears!

The Prizes!
For this contest we’ll be picking ten random winners. Our randomized winner for first place will receive our top prize of a $300 gift card to use on our online store! Three more winners will receive $100 gift cards to our site. And six random winners will receive $50 gift cards. All other participants will get a $20 gift card to make everyone a winner! 

Tell us how camp went and submit your stories to be shared right here on the Blog! Check out the entry form for further details and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Sports Fans!

Queue the symphonic masterpiece of the Olympic Musical Theme. The extra-long awaited 2020 Summer Olympics officially begin today and spans the next couple weeks, out to August 8. Some events like the softball and the men’s and women’s soccer tournaments have already begun a couple days back, but the official beginning of the Games is today.

The Olympic Games are performed every four years and were set to fall last summer. Due to the coronavirus, however, the Games were postponed a year out and we’re now treated to them this year, hosted in the Japanese capital of Tokyo.

While summer camp is about so much more than athletics—fun, friends, nature, self-identity—improving your athletic ability is a really big part of camp. And nearly everything they do in the Summer Olympics is a sport or activity (or at least something in a similar field) that you can participate in during your summer camp stay. From team sports to sports for individual performance on land and in the water, the Olympics is like the worldwide exhibition of the sports of summer camp!

They’ve got Archery. They’ve got Gymnastics. They’ve got Swimming. They’ve got Badminton. There’s Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, BMX Freestyle, BMX Racing, Boxing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Diving, Equestrian Riding, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, and more.

While the Summer Games are taking place in Tokyo this year, they were meant to be played last year. It’s been agreed upon that the Games this summer will still be referred to as the 2020 Olympics. Whatever they call it, enjoy tuning into this year’s summer installment of the Olympic Games to make up for last year. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John

Hello, Hammock Hangers!

Such a simple contraption, hammocks are nothing more than a sling made from an assortment of fabrics which you suspend at both ends, fastening them to trees, posts, or anchored hooks. Nevertheless, these simple inventions have their own holiday: today—National Hammock Day. In past posts, I’ve covered the history of hammocks as well as a run-through of the things you can do in your hammock.

Today let’s talk about the inarguable convenience and comfort of ENO Hammocks. 

We offer awesome hammocks and hammock hanging accessories from the quality Eagles Nest Outfitters brand name. You can check out our ENO selection by clicking here. Enjoy National Hammock Day by spending some of your day in a hammock if you can. Meditate, relax, and learn some stuff while you keep cozy.

The Atlas™ Suspension System is a secure solution to hanging your hammock. No knots needed! Simply throw the adjustable end of each strap around a tree and through the loop on the strap’s other end. Then, clip the carabiners of your hammock to the most appropriate loop of the 15 adjustable points on each strap. Enjoy your easy and worry-free way to hang your ENO Hammock. The Suspension Straps are designed to never fail by slipping or falling!

ENO Hammocks are equipped with lightweight, aluminum carabiners for the easiest fastening to the ENO Atlas™ Suspension System. Once your Hammock is clipped to both suspension straps that you have looped around trees, you’re ready to situate yourself comfortably in one of these high-strength and breathable nylon nests, the rest of the world may as well disappear! For traveling convenience, ENO Hammocks fold up to fit into its own built-in pouch, not much larger than a grapefruit for super easy packing!

Crazy convenient!

Get a closer look at our available ENO Hammocks and hammock-hanging accessories by clicking right here. Sway away in your own convenient hammock and, as always, thanks for reading! 

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We here at Everything Summer Camp are proud to work with nearly 300 summer camps across the nation! We’re their recommended camp outfitter and, in return, we love singing the praises of the many camps with whom we’ve developed a wonderful working relationship. That’s why today I’m shining our camp spotlight on the pristine land in the southwest Colorado. 

In the Red Creek Valley at the foot of the rugged San Juan Mountains Colvig Silver Camps lies all beautiful 600 acres to the Colvig Silver name. The Cottonwood valley, open hay fields, and Ponderosa forest, the campgrounds range from 7,200 to 8,000’ in elevation. The camp is bordered on three sides by the San Juan National Forest and provides access to some of the most pristine, beautiful, and diverse wilderness on the earth. They see 300 sunny days a year with a cool, clear, dry climate—perfect for summer camp!

Choices are very important when it comes to summer camp. At Colvig Silver, campers get to choose their activities and trips on a daily basis for an extremely unique experience. You want to go horseback riding, go horseback riding. You want to go rock climbing, go rock climbing. You want to kayak in the lake, go kayak in the lake. You can climb a 14,000 foot peak, explore ancient ruins, discover a crystal clear alpine lake, lead an improv game at the campfire, the options are endless!

Campers live in cabins with one or two counselors and four to six campers. The cabins differ throughout camp, but all are cozy structures that have comfy beds and mattresses, windows, and nearby bathrooms and common areas. Campers have their own bunk (choose top or bottom bunk) and they’re welcome and encouraged to bring things like family pictures, posters, or a treasured blanket to make the cabin and bunk feel like home.

Colvig Silver Camp has seen great success in kick-starting kids on an awesome path through life. Check out their website for a closer look by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Folksssss.

Did you know that today is World Snake Day? While there are definitely those, like my niece, who LOVE snakes, these carnivorous reptiles generally have a bad reputation and—no offense, Tessa—but it’s easy to understand why. After all, these legless creatures slither around and wrap and bite and can potentially kill you. Then again, it’s only about 17% of snake species that are venomous and less than 6% that pose a considerable risk to your life. World Snake Day was created with the intention of encouraging people to learn more about snakes and how they contribute to the world.

Keeping the Balance since 190 Million B.C.
For the fact there are so many snakes (almost 3500 species) that live in any biome on every continent (except Antarctica) and have done so for such a long time, snakes have been one of the most important creatures in maintaining a balance of nature in the world’s ecosystems!

Freaky Creature’s Features
Whether you love them or hate them, everyone can agree that snakes are fascinating! For instance, the world’s longest snake, the Reticulated Python, kills its prey by strangling it. They shed their skin. Without legs they’re able to swim incredibly fast and capable of crossing pretty much any terrain. And, of course, one of the freakiest things about snakes is that they unhinge their jaws to consume their food. 

Nice to Snake your Acquaintance
As I acknowledged above, snakes may not be the right pet for everyone, but if you have an innate interest in these animals like my niece Tessa, you should consider getting a snake. It’d be a great way to celebrate World Snake Day. And many snakes make good pets because they are easy to care for and inexpensive to feed (unless it’s a big boa or python!). But all in all, snakes are clean, quiet, and odor-free. Do some research to make them happy and enjoy their company! They may even be allowed in your college dorm room when that time comes.

Yes, snakes have had a bad reputation since the beginning of time! Since the Garden of Eden. But that doesn’t mean snakes are bad! They’re cool pets for those who like them. I know my niece loves her snake, Qbelios. Have fun learning more about snakes today and look into having one as a pet. As always, thanksssss for reading!

- John