Hey there, Camp Adventurers!

Camp was full of fun times, wasn’t it? But did you have any experiences that you didn’t appreciate? Sometimes, when you're hanging out with new friends and trying new things, you might come across something that "rubs you the wrong way." But what does that even mean? Let's find out together!

So, you’re at camp and you meet someone new. They're nice and all, but there's something about them that just doesn't sit right with you. Maybe they talk too loud, or they always want to play a game you don't like. It's like they're rubbing you the wrong way (not literally, though)!

The phrase "rub the wrong way" is an old saying that means something is bothering you or making you feel a bit annoyed. It's like when you stroke a cat's fur in the opposite direction—instead of feeling nice, it can make the cat irritable. Our ancestors noticed this and thought, "Hmm, that's kind of like how people feel when something bugs them!"

Initially, the phrase was actually "rubbing someone UP the wrong way." It's like when you're hanging out with your friends, and someone says or does something that just doesn't FEEL right. It's nobody's fault, really—it's just how things go sometimes.

But here's the cool part—understanding what "rubbing the wrong way" means can help us get along better with others. If something bugs us, we can talk about it calmly and try to find a solution together. After all, camp is all about making friends, trying new things, and having fun!

So, whether you're a kid getting ready to head off to camp or a parent sending your little camper on their big adventure, remember this: Sometimes, things might rub you the wrong way, but that's okay! Just take a deep breath, talk it out, and keep on enjoying all the amazing experiences camp has to offer. After all, the best adventures are the ones we share with friends, even if they sometimes rub us the wrong way!

 

- John

Hey there, Camp Fans!

Your stories from the ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest have truly stood out, and it’s been a joy reading through all the amazing entries. Now, it’s time to share these fantastic camp adventures with our online community! We’ll be featuring each one right here on the Blog!

We’ve already revealed our ten lucky prize winners, and now we’re excited to highlight even more of your stories. Today, we’re featuring Victoria S.’s heartwarming tale about her memorable time at Camp Harlam. Read her story below and relive the magic of her summer right now...

Click here for an enlarged view of Victoria's Letter.

“Camp means so much to me. Whether we’re climbing the tower or it being a rainy day, and everyone hanging out together inside. When I’m at camp, I feel happy and adventurous in whatever I’m doing! Camp is so special to me because I get to see some of my best friends that I don’t get to see a lot. One thing at camp that means a lot to me is Shabbat services. It is a time where the whole camp gets together and we all sing prayers and songs. Everyone is just so happy and glad to be here, all together. Another thing that I love at camp is Maccabia (Color War). The whole camp is separated into 4 different groups, red, green, gold, and blue. We all complete in different games and sports. Like Tug of War, soccer, and more! It’s always so much fun and makes camp even more special. I have spent the last 4 summers at Camp Harlam! Every summer gets better and better as we learn different things.

I am so happy that I decided to go to Camp Harlam, and get to experience the best summer every year! I am so glad that I get to call Camp Harlam my second home!”

What a wonderful camp experience you had at Camp Harlam, Victoria! Fun summer activities like climbing the tower and rainy day hangouts sound very exciting and full of fun! The way you describe Shabbat services really shows how special and meaningful the community is at camp, especially when everyone comes together to sing and be joyful. And Maccabia (Color War) sounds like such an exciting tradition! Tug of War, soccer, and all the competitive spirit must really add to the fun! It’s clear that Camp Harlam is your second home, and I can see why every summer is even better than the last.

Thanks for sharing this submission on what Camp Harlam means to you! If anybody else would like to check out Camp Harlam for themselves, have a look-see around their website when you click here. Come back next week to see what other stories we have ready to share and, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!


- John

Hey there, Camp Crew!

Wow! We got great camp stories from you guys this year for the ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! The energy and excitement in these submissions have been incredible and we can’t wait to showcase them all right here on the Blog. We’ve wrapped up announcing our top 10 winners, but there’s still more fun to be had!

Today, we’re featuring an awesome story from Laney C., who shared her experience at Camp Kanakuk in Branson, Missouri. Dive into her adventure and check out her story right now...

“Hi, my name is Laney C. and every summer I go to Kanakuk camp in Missouri. I look forward to coming to camp every summer to not only learn more about Christianity, and the God I believe in, but to make lasting memories and friends to last a lifetime. This summer (my 4th year) I went to one of the many Kanakuk camps called K-West. K-West is a middle school camp for kids ages 12 through 14. I am twelve years old and was assigned to Cabin 3. My counselors welcomed me with warm smiles and energy. They were a mix of fun and excitement. They put all of their energy into making sure I was getting closer to God and having fun. I learned valuable life lessons about God at camp. Kanakuk makes me a better person every year, by far making it the best camp ever! I was greeted by amazing and kind girls from my cabin; there was never any drama or gossip. All the people welcomed me happily and I truly felt like people cared about me. I have made friends that I will go to Kanakuk with next year, make more lasting memories. I matured over the 2 weeks I was there. Next year I will be going for a month! I did fun things with my friends including bluff jumping, tubing, the ropes course, pool rings, blob, and super fun slides. Kanakuk has taught me to face my fears and uplift my neighbors. During the ropes course activity, we partnered with an older group of girls; they were 14. A girl immediately pointed me out and asked to be my partner and I said yes. Her name was Zoey and she supported me throughout the rest of camp. She helped me when I was too short to reach obstacles in the ropes course. And we had the most fun ever! Me and Zoey will still remember each other even though she’s moving to the older camp. While having fun, Kanakuk has taught me so much about Christianity, that there is a God that loves us so much, that sent His only son to die for us. And that’s why we need to put as much effort as possible into our relationship with God, because of how much He loves us. Kanakuk changes kids’ lives, and if the wisdom of Kanakuk was shared to the world, it would truly make a difference.”


Hi Laney! Wow, your summer at Kanakuk sounds absolutely awesome! It’s great to hear about your time at K-West and how much you’ve grown in your faith and made lasting friendships. Sounds like the counselors in Cabin 3 and the girls you met were all so welcoming and supportive—what a special experience! Bluff jumping, tubing, and tackling the ropes course with Zoey must have been so much fun, especially with all the encouragement from your new friends. We love hearing how Kanakuk has taught you to face your fears and uplift those around you.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful camp adventure with us! If anyone else wants to check out Camp Kanakuk for themselves, check out their website by clicking here. Keep checking back for many stories to come and, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!


- John

Hey, Chess Players!

Natural born Chess player and legend in the making, Bobby Fischer was born on March 9, 1943. He quickly rose to prominence as a chess prodigy, winning his first of eight US Championships at the age of 14. His unparalleled talent and dedication to the game set him apart from his peers, leading him to become the eleventh World Chess Champion.

Fischer's most famous match came in 1972, when he faced Boris Spassky of the USSR in Reykjavík, Iceland. Dubbed the "Match of the Century," it was a showdown that captured the world's attention and symbolized the Cold War rivalry between the US and the USSR. Fischer's victory in that match solidified his status as the greatest chess player of his time.

Despite his remarkable success, Fischer's career was not without controversy. He famously refused to defend his title in 1975, leading to his forfeiture and the crowning of Anatoly Karpov as World Champion. Fischer's eccentric behavior and occasional erraticism only added to his mystique, making him a fascinating figure both on and off the chessboard.

 

Fischer's legacy extends beyond his playing career. He authored the influential book ‘My 60 Memorable Games,’ which remains essential reading for aspiring chess players. He also invented Fischer random chess, a variant of the game that adds an element of unpredictability to the starting position of the pieces.

As we send our children off to summer camp, it's worth reflecting on the lessons we can learn from Bobby Fischer's remarkable journey. Chess is a test of strategy, patience, and determination. Just as Fischer pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the chessboard, so too can our children challenge themselves to reach new heights in their own pursuits.

 

So, as your child embarks on their summer camp adventure, ask yourself: Did they discover any new games or activities that captured their imagination? Did they uncover hidden talents or passions that they never knew they had? Perhaps they are just discovering a fascination with the game of Chess!

Just as Fischer's love for chess propelled him to greatness, who knows what adventures await your young camper as they explore their developing skills as well as the world around them? Till next time, Folks. And, as always, thanks for reading!

 

- John

Hey there, Campers!

Popping onto the summer camp scene in 2009, our Pop Up Soft Trunk was an immediate game-changer! Unlike anything that came before it, this marvel of design was tailor-made for the specific needs of campers, with an array of pockets, an organizer in the lid, and even wheels for easy transportation. It features a wire frame within that allows our trunk to “pop up” so it can essentially function like a hard trunk that campers can actually LIVE out of during their time away from home.

Creating the C&N Pop Up Soft Trunk, however, was no walk in the park. It took the tireless efforts of the Product Development team at Everything Summer Camp to bring this dream to life. They set out to address the frustrations of traditional duffel bags, which lacked structure and organization. Campers needed something they could live out of.

Our team KNEW we had to offer an alternative to our hard trunks, but how could we bring the form and structure of a hard trunk to a duffel? After two years of intense development, countless prototypes, late nights that became early mornings, and more caffeine than they care to admit, the team finally unveiled their masterpiece to the camp world.

With its collapsible design and convenient features, the Pop Up Soft Trunk became an instant hit among summer campers. No longer were they forced to rummage through formless duffels or deal with the limited storage of plastic bins. Instead, they could enjoy the ease and convenience of a bag designed with their needs in mind AND offers collapsibility for simple storage.

Today, the Pop Up Soft Trunk remains a staple of summer camp packing, offering campers the perfect blend of functionality and style. Available in a variety of colors and patterns here at Everything Summer Camp, it's the ideal companion for any camp adventure, providing ample storage space and effortless portability.

So, the next time you pack your bags for camp, take a moment to appreciate the incredible journey that led to the creation of the Pop Up Soft Trunk. And as you wheel it around with ease, remember the dedication and ingenuity that went into making your camp experience a little bit smoother.

Until next time, happy packing and Happy Camping!

 

- John