Hey, Nature Lovers!

Outdoor camping trips have remained at the heart of the summer camp experience since the very beginning. Essentially, they’re what summer camp is all about: escaping the big city and reconnecting with nature to help further our physical, emotional, and spiritual development. For one man, the summer camp experience wouldn’t be enough. He up and moved his family out of the city and into the wilderness of Madison, Wisconsin to escape the city life permanently.

Born in 1887, a true lover of nature, he spent his early years exploring the outdoors with his family. He studied at Yale University and later joined the Forest Service. But by 1935, he was done with living in the city. 

Aldo believed that humans should view themselves as members of a larger community that includes the land, plants, and animals. He took careful notes about the plants and animals that surrounded his new home and kept journal entries that reflected his philosophy. 

His most notable work, ‘The Sand County Almanac’ was published in 1949. Along with his essays and other written works, his unique approach to the natural world has changed the way scientists think about it. He developed this concept into something he called a ‘land ethic’. 

The home that Aldo built and lived in with his family is still standing, not too far away from the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Having visited myself a number of years back, I can say it is a truly inspiring experience. 

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Are you out there conquering towering peaks in your dreams? Do you daydream of exploring rugged trails and camping under the stars? If so, you’re receiving the call of the mountains. Could it be the perfect summer camp activity for you! It’s not just about climbing mountains—it's an exhilarating blend of outdoor adventure, physical challenge, and learning valuable skills that will stay with you for life.

More than just climbing mountains, this activity is about embracing the thrill of the great outdoors. It combines hiking, rock climbing, and sometimes even ice climbing, depending on the terrain. It challenges both physical endurance and mental resilience while presenting us with breathtaking beauty.

Choosing the Right Summer Camp

When selecting a summer camp for mountaineering, consider factors like location, the expertise of staff, safety measures, and the variety of activities offered. Look for camps that prioritize outdoor education and provide a supportive environment for learning and adventure.

Benefits of Mountaineering at Summer Camp

Participating in mountaineering at summer camp offers a wide range of benefits:

• Physical Fitness: Climbing mountains requires strength, stamina, and agility, making it a fantastic workout for your body.
• Outdoor Skills: Learn essential survival skills like navigation, setting up camp, and understanding weather patterns.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Work together with fellow campers to conquer challenges and develop leadership skills.
• Confidence Building: Overcoming obstacles in a mountainous environment boosts self-confidence and resilience.

Safety is top priority in mountaineering! Summer camps that offer mountaineering programs prioritize safety with trained instructors, proper gear, and guidelines for handling various outdoor situations. Learning how to use equipment like ropes, harnesses, and helmets allows for a safe and enjoyable experience for all campers.

Check out this past Blog post about our then Vice President (and now President) and his mountaineering adventure! 

And, for those inspired by the beauty of mountaineering, check out the Alpine Club’s photo competition! While membership is required to submit photos, anyone can enjoy the stunning, often breathtaking images captured by climbers and adventurers. It’s a fantastic way to appreciate the awe-inspiring landscapes your child might explore at camp!

Mountaineering at summer camp is an unforgettable adventure that combines physical activity, skill-building, and the joy of exploring nature's wonders. Whether you're a beginner or aspiring mountaineer, summer camp offers the perfect opportunity to embark on this thrilling journey. So, pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to conquer mountains – your next great outdoor adventure awaits!

- John

Hey, Axe-Throwers!

Check out the Indoor Outdoor Axe Throwing Game, available right here at Everything Summer Camp! It’s great, safe fun for kids at camp. Along with this game, axe-throwing as an activity at summer camp doesn’t involve real axes. Axe-throwing—the sport—however, does.  

At summer camp, axe-throwing is supervised by trained staff who prioritize safety, ensuring campers learn proper techniques and use specialized equipment. It provides campers with an opportunity to develop hand-eye coordination, focus, and teamwork skills while having fun in a controlled environment.

But how did this weapon used for hunting warfare come to be a fun-time game accessory? 

It wasn’t until sometime around the late 1800s in the forests of North America that this skill of handling an axe was realized for the sport that it was. It was the skilled lumberjacks, known for their proficiency in using axes for chopping and felling trees, who began organizing informal competitions among themselves during the early 20th century.

These first competitions were likely informal and based on who could throw an axe most accurately or farthest. Over time, however, as axes became more standardized and accessible, structured competitions emerged.

The lumberjacks' expertise with axes and their competitive spirit contributed to the development of rules, techniques, and scoring systems for Axe-throwing, transforming it from a practical means of using a tool into a recreational and competitive sport.

Embrace your inner frontiersman with safety first and pick up the Indoor Outdoor Axe Throwing Game. This lightweight and compact Set includes foam axes with a gripper strip “blade" that sticks to the target, ensuring safe and fun gameplay for all ages. Whether you're indoors or outdoors, the suction cup and hanging loop make setup super easy! Enjoy!

Till next time, Axe-Throwers! Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Throwing!

- John

Hey, Camp Lovers!

Let the adventure begin. Official S’more Maker. Go jump in the lake. Keep calm and camp on! Fires, Friends, Fun—there are plenty more clever sayings and cool prints in our camp clothing t-shirt collection. Do you know what you’re wearing for summer camp? Look no further than our original line of camp apparel! 

This collection has been around for years, but we’re always adding new designs to the line; there are so many aspects of summer camp to capture! Have a look at the latest of our Life of Camp Tees when you click right here. 

Our camp tees aim for everything ranging from humorous to majestic but ALWAYS campy! These tees are so much more than just something to wear: they spread awesome camp spirit to all who wear them and all who catch a glimpse, they pass along a quick chuckle or fond recollection, and they can make for a good conversation piece that can help spark conversation between campers.  

So don’t delay! Shop our collection and order your favorite tees from the Life of Camp Collection today so your camper can make a statement at camp this summer! Sure to become a staple of your camper’s wardrobe this summer season. 

Send them off for their summer camp stay with some cool, camp-themed apparel found only right here at Everything Summer Camp—your ones-stop shop for every item on your child’s packing list! Till next time, Folks. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks! 

There are so many common phrases and expressions that have been so sewn into the fabric of our everyday speech that we use them without even realizing it. Some can sound a bit bizarre if you don’t know the origin of the phrase. For example, ‘Fly off the Handle’ originated from lumberjacks losing their axeheads as they got loose and flew off. You can read more about that right here. 

For today’s post, however, let’s take a look at the phrase ‘Cut to the Chase’. Time is an essential thing in our lives and none of us want ours to be wasted (unless we’re the ones doing it!). Cut to the Chase is what you say when you want someone to stop WASTING YOUR TIME AND GET TO THE POINT! 

…sorry to fly off the handle, there. 

But why the phrase ‘Cut to the Chase’? Where exactly are we cutting and what chase are we talking about? To answer these questions, let’s learn a little history lesson about the movies. 

All films from the beginning of the technology in the late 1870s to the first talkie in 1927 were silent movies. Back then, films were simpler. Chase scenes were an exciting way to end a film and it became a popular resort to give the film a good visual climax—a grand finale, so to speak. 

Screenwriters and directors alike, in a desperate attempt to add on to the runtime of their films, would insert unnecessary dialogue and whole scenes that didn’t have much purpose just to give the movie that filler and pad the time before getting to the inevitable chase scene. 

More often than not, this tactic would fail, simply resulting in a bored audience. This is where movie studio executives like Hal Roach Sr. who is thought to have coined the phrase would tell the directors, “Cut to the chase.” So now you know, ‘cut’ is referring to a film cut and the ‘chase’ is the climax of the movie. 

Be sure to use this when your brother or sister is boring you and you want them to get on with their story! Next time we’ll be studying the term ‘Soap Opera’. Until then, Cut to the Chase. And, as always, thanks for reading. 

- John