Hey, Summer Camp People!

As Spring approaches, the world around us transforms before our very eyes into one that is brimming with life and excitement. Though they won’t be out for another two or three months here in Wisconsin, today is Learn about Butterflies Day. There are more than 20,000 species of butterflies—roughly twice that of birds—so you can imagine that there’s a lot to learn about these graceful and beautiful bugs.

Check out just a few, really interesting things about butterflies.

Better Be Balmy
Butterflies are cold blooded creatures; they don’t generate their own body heat, their body temperature matches that of their surroundings. It doesn’t take too big of a dip in the temperature to give butterflies a chill and when butterflies get too cold, they can’t move their wing muscles, rendering them subject to predators or unable to find food. They may be able to start flapping in some 70 degree weather, but they like it best around 85 degrees Fahrenheit for full wing function.

Wings?! Where?
Speaking of their wings, a butterfly’s wings are actually see-through. Their simply covered by thousands of tiny scales that reflect light in different colors. Their wings consist of layers of a protein called chitin (which is the same stuff that most insect’s exoskeletons are made of). But the layers of chitin are so thin that you can actually see right through them.

Treat for the Feet
And, finally, maybe the weirdest thing about butterflies is that they taste with their feet. Yes, their feet have the sense of taste. It’s very useful as they fly from plant to plant; they can taste what plant it is just by landing on it. When they land on a plant that they eat for food, they start beating on the leaves till they release the juices inside. Although they taste with their feet, butterflies drink all their nutrition through their proboscis (a common insect mouthpart that functions the same as a drinking straw).

What an alien life butterflies have compared to our own. Can you imagine freezing on a cooler summer day? Or having body parts so thin that you can see right through them? Or taking off your shoes and socks at the dinner table to taste your food? Very interesting, indeed! Thanks for reading and learning about butterflies today! Till next time, Readers!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

It’s our mission here at Everything Summer Camp to help you in every way we can in sending your kids off to get the most out of the summer camp experience. The same as you, we want to ensure that your family is fully prepared and ready to enjoy the opportunity of summer camps. That’s why we’re proud to carry some of the top names in the market to give you confidence while you shop for camp.

More than just a pesky reality of summer camp, the great outdoors in general is teeming with insects in the summer season which can really ruin a party. Don’t let it happen. One of the best ways to protect yourself against insects is by wearing a good insect repellent when you embark into the summer wilderness. Delivering uncompromised protection and safety where it counts, there are few better brands of insect repellent than Cutter.

In addition to being a general annoyance, many insects are known to spread disease, turning them from a pesky nuisance to an invasive danger. Whether you’re hanging out in your backyard or venturing out into the deep woods, it's important to take the necessary protective precautions such as covering yourself in bug repellent when you head into buggy areas.

Offering a variety of natural products as well as chemical-employed alternatives, Cutter has you covered with kid-safe and high-performing products that keep the bugs at bay. We offer Cutter’s repellent in sprays as well as wipes with the Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes for kid-friendly application as well as a pocket-size spray for convenience on a day hike or other outing.

Outdoor enthusiasts have made Cutter a leading brand of insect. Cutter is an excellent choice for any summer camper looking to stay protected from insects this summer. Order your Cutter Insect Repellent here at Everything Summer Camp today and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Paintballers!

Paintball is a popular activity and a thrilling one at that! It’s a sport that requires different things from you, depending on the lay of the land and the obstacles placed on the playing field. You might have to crawl, dive, run, jump, dodge, speed, and more. It’s a great, all-inclusive workout body to keep yourself healthy with family and friends.

The first paintball gun was invented in the 1960s by the Nelson Paint Company. It was initially called a marker as its original use was never intended to be used on people, but rather for lumberjacks and farmers to mark trees and livestock. Another decade later, two buddies were having a conversation about how well city folk could survive a situation where they were being targeted in natural settings.

The discussion led to the idea to make a game out of it. It even turned into something they would profit off of, selling protective gear to go along with the paintballs and the guns such as goggles, mask, vest, guards, etc. It’s caught on quite a bit since its start! Here’s what people get out of it:

Improves Strength
As I already mentioned, Paintball is an extremely physical activity—good for building muscles in your arms, legs, and core! Unlike a typical gym workout which focuses on one or two areas at once, Paintball gets all your muscles working together!

Reduce Stress
Paintball is an opportunity to de-stress! There’s actual science to back this up. See, the intense game play will have an effect on your brain that releases chemicals called endorphins which tend to keep your mind focused and at peace—even in the heat of battle! Strategizing in the game is another great way to focus your thoughts and lead to further focus. And, of course, playing in the outdoors is always good to bring you fresh air and negative ions!

Promotes Teamwork
Other variations can mean just one-on-one, but typically Paintball is a team sport that requires a strategy that is executed by all team players. It also encourages team spirit and improves leadership skills. Cooperation is one of the key components of the game.

FUN
Needless to say, Paintball is fun! And, though it may come as some surprise, having fun is a wonderful aid to your health. The flow of adrenaline, laughing, and enjoying an activity with a close group is a bonding experience does wonders for your mental health.

Look around to find a camp that offers Paintball or just find a local Paintball Park and get yourself geared up for the fun! Enjoy the experience and, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John

Hey, Cool Kids!

There’s really no way around it; you’re going to get hot during your summer camp stay. If you’re looking for a fun, easy way to stay cool this summer, then you’re in luck. You can find a great number of easy and breezy fans at Everything Summer Camp! However, none of them are quite so cool as these latest additions we’ve made to our fans collection from O2 Cool.

Today we’re talking about the 3 in 1 LED Misting Fan as well as the Battery Clip 4” Fan. Check ‘em out:

O2COOL 3 in 1 LED Misting Fan

A Fan that can mist you AND light up, this thing certainly does leave the world of labels confused. It’s called the 3 in 1 LED Misting Fan and it’s got you covered whether you need a nice breeze, a refreshing mist, or a light for locating in the dark.

To add or remove ice and water, simply screw the bottom cap off and back on. With a full reservoir, the 3 in 1 can supply you with 1,000 sprays for its misting capabilities. And its fanning and LED lights are powered by 2 AA batteries (not included).

O2COOL constructs these powerful blades for the 3 in 1 LED Misting Fan from a soft, flexible material that won’t cause injury should you get too close to the action. The LED lights are located on the blades to induce an awesome effect when in operation!

O2COOL Battery Clip 4" Fan

Keep cool out on some adventure—on-the-go with this portable, Battery Operated 4" Clip Fan. With a strong, two-position clip, this Fan fastens onto both round and flat surfaces such as a chair, picnic table, camp bunk, and more.

Its neck is flexible too so you can easily adjust the direction it’s blowing in. While sticking your fingers in the fan is never encouraged, like the 3 in 1 LED Misting Fan it IS safe with this Fan specifically thanks to its kid-friendly foam blades which are soft enough not to cause any injury. This thing runs on 2-AA batteries.

Stay cool on your adventures, summer campers and enjoy the breeze! Be sure to check out these fans and any others among our excellent selection. And, as always, thanks for reading. Till next time, Readers!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Here at Everything Summer Camp we have an idea of the effort and hard work that goes into all the preparations and operations for the summer camp season! There are so many different working parts to making sure kids have a blast at camp. So, today—National Employee Appreciation Day—we’re highlighting all the hardworking staffers that make summer camp happen all over the country each year.

Camp Nurse
From scrapes to illnesses and conditions, kids need care throughout their camp stay. Every summer camp keeps at least one nurse on call at all times throughout the camp season so they can ensure that the week/s long stay is safe for everyone.

Camp Kitchen Staff
Campers need to eat! The camp kitchen staff works similar to your school kitchen workers, however, camp is providing three square meals a day and typically a snack and dessert as well. For many camps, two shifts need to be filled in the kitchen.

Camp Custodian
There’s plenty of cleanup in the camp season, cleaning the cabins and buildings, emptying the trash, cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping the floors, washing the linens, and plenty more. Depending on the size of the camp, there may be a staff involved.

Camp Groundskeeper
Groundskeeping means lots of work outdoors, mowing grass, raking leaves, clearing hiking trails, winterizing the grounds, picking up trash, and doing many other tasks to maintain the land. Like the custodial position, the size of the staff depends on the size of the camp.

Camp Lifeguard
Just about every summer camp offers swimming and other activities involving water. Lifeguarding at camp typically isn’t any different than lifeguarding at your local pool or beach: Lifeguards who meet state regulations are required to be present.

Camp Administration
The Big Cheese and other head honchos (a.k.a. camp directors and their administrative staff with an account director and public relations director) handle finances and dealings with press releases, the media, mailings, and camper relations during the off-season.

Camp Counselors
Saving the best for last, the counselors of a summer camp spend the most time interacting with the campers and impart the cool knowledge and skills that they’ve been trained on or likely even were taught a handful of years back when they were a camper.

So, as you can see, there’s plenty of work that goes into making summer camp happen every year. Take some time to reach out to the staff from your camp who have gone above and beyond to make your camp experience something special! Write them a letter or send them a camp-themed greeting card which you can find by clicking here. Happy Employee Appreciation Day and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John