Hey, Camp Fans!

For most summer campers, another camp season has come and gone. And now that kids are returning home, they have some time for reflection on the experience they had at camp. We want to hear how it went. Tell us through our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! It’s seen great participation in previous years and we always enjoy reading over the submissions we get.

I can’t wait to read all the great stories you have from this summer!

Tell us about your most memorable moment or talk about all the great people you met. No matter what you choose to share, we’d love to hear it! Include your first name and the initial of your last name, the name of the camp you visited, and how long you’ve been going to camp. Tell us about the camp you went to and why you think it’s the best! While 150 words will qualify, we’d prefer to see submissions be closer to 250—take your time to really set the camp scene for us.

Write 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.

Write about the things you learned at camp. Write about all the friends you made while you were there. Write about how it felt to be away from home. Write about the beautiful landscapes and natural surroundings you saw at camp. Or submit a journal-style entry that chronicles a day in the summer camp life!

Submit your written entry of your time at camp 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.

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—we’re all ears!

All Entries are Winners!

We’re upping the ante for this year’s Camp Story Contest! Ten random winners will be selected. Our first randomized winner will receive our top prize of a $250 gift card to use on our website! Two more winners will receive $100 gift cards to our site. Three random winners will get $50 gift cards. And four random winners will receive $25 gift cards. All other participants will get a $15 gift card so everyone’s a winner!

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

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

We work with more than 270 summer camps across the United States here at Everything Summer Camp so you can imagine how much we love to sing the praises of all these great camps. This Blog makes an effort to frequently shine our spotlight on the next camp—we always have more to write about. And today we’re swinging our Summer Camp Spotlight over to Western North Carolina’s mountains where we find Camp Illahee.

In the Cherokee language, the word ‘Illahee’ translates to ‘heavenly world’. A fitting name, Illahee sits on 110 acres of forested land that features mountains, a natural lake, rustic amenities, and positive atmosphere for your girl’s summer stay away from home.

Girls enjoy a slew of sports, arts, and other activities at Camp Illahee. Summers there are brimming with fun Team Sports as well as Swimming, Tennis, Horseback Riding, Marksmanship, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Gymnastics, and more. Get adventurous on Illahee’s Ropes Course, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Trail Hiking, Cookouts, and Overnight Excursions. Hone your creative skills with Ceramics, Cooking, Dance, Drama, Watercolor, Weaving, Woodworking, and more!

Surveying the grounds, you’ll find the Dining Hall and McLeod Lodge front and center. Nurses nearby the cabins are next as well as a cool Wishing Well. Cabins overlook the lake and big red barn. Elsewhere, find the Outdoor Basketball Courts, Tennis Courts, Climbing Tower, Ropes Course, Riflery and Archery Range, Busy Bee Art Studio, Woodshop, Gymnasium and Rec Lodge.

Home in the summertime to thousands of young women, Camp Illahee has shown its campers what fun summers are all about for nearly 100 years! Get to know some of the awesome young women of your generation and enjoy some deeper insight into what exactly makes you tick! If Camp Illahee sounds like it’s right for you, peruse their website sometime and make your summer heavenly! And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John

Hey, Fry Fanatics!

It’s pretty obvious since this side is served at just about every fast food place around that French Fries are a favorite for a lot of folks! What beats that crispy, salty starch dipped in ketchup or whatever other condiment you prefer? And like it’s not enough that they’re served at every burger joint you go, we dedicate today to these fantastic fried potato strips. Happy French Fries Day.

Learn a thing or three about French Fries on today’s Blog post:

Un-French…Fries?
French, Spanish, and Belgian cultures all claim to be the home of the French Fry. Belgians hold that the snack got the word “French” in its name because the French steal all Belgian food. People of France say it was their street vendors who were first to sell them in 1789. And, even yet, the Spanish feel that, as the first European country to bring potatoes from the New World, they are the likeliest inventors of French Fries.

The Fries Have It
I know I already commented at the start of this post that French Fries are pretty much our favorite side here in the United States. Can you believe that roughly 70,000 acres of potatoes grown in the US are made to be French Fries sold from McDonald’s? And did you furthermore know that McDonald’s is responsible for more than 1/3 of all fries sold in restaurants? We reeaaally like Fries!

Presidential Potatoes
We may not know who to credit with the invention of French Fries, but we exactly who introduced them to the American people! It was Thomas Jefferson who was recorded to have served “potatoes, fried in the French manner” at dinner in the White House back in 1802!

We toast a French Fry to all of you today as we look back fondly on the last couple centuries of Fries in America and wish everyone Happy French Fries Day! Cheers. Go eat some French Fries today whether you get them from a restaurant or make some homemade Fries in the oven with some spices. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Movers and Shakers!

If your favorite form of self-expression comes from moving your body and feeling the energy of a rhythm (or lack thereof), imagine yourself performing your art in front of an astonished audience! This could very well become a reality if you find the right summer camp! They’ll teach you a thing or two and give you the opportunity to work it and show off your talent.

Playing an important part in ceremonies, rituals, celebrations, and means of entertainment across the world, the art of Dance was first performed before the earliest civilizations ever existed and who knows how long before that? It’s a piece of who we are—something that’s built into us and part of our DNA. Dancing is in our blood.

More than just a fun thing to do at parties, Dance is an art form that people devote themselves to in body, mind, and spirit. Check out what people love so much about Dance! This is one art form that truly promotes healthy living! Dance comes with a laundry list of physical benefits:

• Improved condition of your heart and lungs
• Increased muscular strength, endurance, and motor fitness
• Increased aerobic fitness
• Improved muscle tone and strength
• Weight management
• Stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
• Better coordination, agility, and flexibility
• Improved balance and spatial awareness
• Increased physical confidence

But practicing this art form can improve some other aspects of your well-being as well…

Mental Function
Focus, Timing, Memory—there’s a lot going on in the mind of a Dancer while they produce a flawless visual show. It takes great attention to achieve the physical precision necessary to deliver the show the way it was intended to be seen.

Psychological Health
As mentioned above the list of physiological benefits, Dance promotes a healthy lifestyle. Living in a way that makes your body feel good spreads to your mind as well. Dancers dedicated to the art are typically happy and positive people.

Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
As is the case with pretty much any Performance Art, being on stage sounds scary for many. But you’ll find that facing your stage fright and developing your courage is a strangely addictive feeling that feeds your sense of self-worth and gives you confidence!

There are lots of different styles of Dance from Ballet to Belly-dancing. What style performance are you into? Discover what makes you want to move your body and look into a camp where you can Dance as much as your heart desires such as the Long Lake Dance Camp! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

It’s our mission here at Everything Summer Camp to help you in every way we can in sending your kids off to summer camp. Just like you, we want to ensure that they are fully prepared and ready to get the most out of the summer camp experience that lies before them. That’s why we’re proud to carry some of the best names in camping gear to give you confidence while you shop and quality while at camp.

Not just a pesky reality of summer camp, but the great outdoors in general—insects have a tendency to ruin a party. Don’t let it happen. One of the best ways to protect against insects is by wearing insect repellent when venturing into the summer wilderness. For uncompromised protection and safety where it counts, there are few better brands of insect repellent than Repel.

In addition to being a general annoyance, many insect pests can also spread disease, turning them from pesky nuisance to an invasive danger. It’s important to take the necessary protective measures when you head into buggy areas whether you’re hanging out in your backyard or hiking through the deep woods.

Repel brand’s complete line of insect repellents are designed specifically for sportsmen and their families to fit any activity or terrain. Offering a variety of all-natural products as well as chemical-employed alternatives, Repel has you covered with kid-safe and high-performing products to keep the bugs away.

You can also find different sizes and levels of effectiveness, like the portable pen-size spray bottle, right here on Repel’s Brand Page on our Main Site.

Repel products are manufactured by United Industries Corporation—a leading manufacturer of value brand consumer products for the lawn & garden care and insect control.

Outdoor enthusiasts have made Repel the number one brand of insect protection in the sporting goods market. Repel is an excellent choice for any summer camper looking to stay protected from insects this summer. Order your Repel Insect Repellent by clicking here at Everything Summer Camp today and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John