Hey, Happy Hikers!

Summer’s just arriving. Time to get out and hit your local nature trails! Nothing hits the spot like a vigorous walk on a lush, woodsy adventure or the sights along a rocky terrain. And nobody knows this better than summer camps. So strap on your trail shoes when you head off for your summer stay this year! And in the meantime, learn a little about this great hobby and fun camp activity right now.

The history of Hiking is as old as humans, really. Since our days of hunting and gathering as nomadic cultures we wandered the planet in search of ever-moving food sources giving us a natural means of cardio maintenance. And the incentive of survival forced us to traverse rough terrain despite the efforts required.

Hiking gets your blood pumping and makes you feel good. Here’s a quick look at the benefits that Hiking offers us.

Hiking Makes You Happy
Delivering an aspect of physical exertion that treadmills and exercise bikes cannot, trails incorporate beautiful winding turns that feature new landscapes and provide a treat for your eyes. Trails provide an abundance of mental health benefits as well; the air you breathe in is much crisper and brings a fresh supply of oxygen to your brain, resulting in a happier you.

Magic Healer
The physical exertion you put out works wonders for your body. Not only does it reduce your risk of heart disease, it also lowers your blood pressure—a pair of unwanted issues among some leading health problems in our modern world.

Hiking: The Jogging Equivalent
Hiking—especially hiking uphill—is similarly efficient exercise for burning calories as jogging is and helps you lose weight. The pressure that hiking puts on your bones helps to strengthen your bone structure and helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis. It tones your muscles and does good things for your cardiovascular system too. Really, it just increases your overall fitness.

There are lots of things you can do to make a hike a really good time. We have a slew of hiking gear here at Everything Summer Camp to help you enjoy your outing to its max. From hiking boots to water bottles, backpacks, and Hydration packs, we’ve got everything you need. Have fun Hiking at camp and, as always, thanks for reading, Hikers.

- John

Hey, Camp Families!

Everything Summer Camp is proud as well as thrilled to be working with over 270 summer camps across the nation and we’re happy to sing their praises just as often as we can. This Blog is the perfect venue to highlight these awesome places that give kids a summer escape away into the wilderness where kids discover themselves and their true potential. And today, we swing our Summer Camp Spotlight down south to Texas where we find Camp Sweeney.

Situated in the Lone Star State, just below the southern perimeter of Oklahoma, Camp Sweeney has been rooted in these southern grounds since 1950 where they have continued summer after summer to show their campers an absolutely awesome time for their summer stay!

The people at Camp Sweeney know how drastically the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes can flip our lives around. This is a camp where having Type 1 diabetes doesn’t make you an outcast; it makes you just like everyone else. Managing diabetes takes children away from their perception of ‘normal’, but not at Camp Sweeney.

And after nineteen days of blood tests, insulin injections, and carbohydrate calculations bring the disappearance of diabetes, Sweeney campers can take pride in the knowledge that they possess the ability of overcoming this adversity.

Nineteen days may seem like a lengthy stay to some camp families, but Camp Sweeney insists this length is necessary to form healthy habits, instill confidence, and develop friendships.

Of course, campers are also treated to the typical fun activities that pack the days at any other summer camp. Sweeney campers can participate in awesome activities like Archery, Basketball, Challenge Course, Cross Country, Dance, Football, Frisbee Golf, Ultimate Frisbee, Hiking, Lacrosse, Mini Golf, Paintball, Riflery, Rock Climbing, Rocketry, Soccer, Tennis, Tumbling, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Zumba, and more!

Have fun in the water too with their impressive Water Park or go Boating, Canoeing, Fishing, and simple Swimming! Quieter, indoor activities include Arts & Crafts. Broadcasting, Music, and Video Production.

More than just a fun summer escape, Camp Sweeney is no ordinary camp; it’s a lifestyle. It’s a place where campers are taught not only how to manage their diabetes, but also motivated to do so. Sweeney campers return home with a renewed and deeper sense of self. Give your camper this opportunity and send them to Camp Sweeney this summer! Check out their website for yourself by clicking here and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Today is National Trails Day! So once you’re done reading this post, lace up your boots and go take a hike! Nature trails offer an awesome venue for folks with all kinds of interests—from hiking to biking, or bird watching to horse riding! No matter what you’re into, there’s bound to be a nearby trail for you to enjoy Trails Day!

Just as summer camp offers a lengthy summer stay away from our media-saturated world, park trails and other footpaths give us miniature escapes from the bustling city life and virtual world in which so many of us spend so many hours. Meanwhile, the natural world offers us fresh air, exercise, and peace.

Immerse yourself in the scenic landscape of the natural world today!

But I’ve already run down the laundry list of healthy benefits that result from you hitting a trail in a previous Blog post which you can check out by clicking here. But today, I’m more interested in discussing how nature trails and other footpaths have come to be. Nature didn’t just provide us with a convenient, winding path through her majestic wilderness.

The world’s vast majority of trails are created through wear and tear of frequent usage. Aside from deer trails or frequented, worn-down paths of other animals, trails are obviously man-made. And even the trails that appear the roughest and most basic took an incredible amount of effort and energy and do take a good amount of maintenance.

If trails pass across flat, dry areas, all of the brush, tree limbs, and undergrowth are cleared away to make a suitable trail for the activities intended to take place on the trail. Of course, paved trails and otherwise constructed paths require specific and complex design as well as a comprehensive skill set.

Bridges (or other alternatives such as culverts, stepping stones, or shallow fords) are built when creek streams or rivers are deep enough that a means to cross is required.

Appreciate the nature around you and be sure to take great advantage of the hard work and maintenance that went into the winding paths that snake through your area. Hit a local trail today and, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John

Hey, Smart Shoppers!

We hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend and that you found your observance and/or celebration of this holiday therapeutic. We’ve had quite a week seeing that you’ve all been taking advantage of our week-long Memorial Day Sale! Get your gear while the gettin’s good!

Yes; unfortunately all good things must pass and this Memorial Day Week Sale is winding down to its close in just a couple days. Now that our summer is off to its unofficial start, we’ll be finishing out the month before putting an end to this sale.

Check out the following details if you need a refresher on the highlights of this great sale—otherwise just get saving starting Wednesday, May 23rd!

Crazy Creek Chairs
We’ve also had our Crazy Creek Camping Chairs discounted at $5 off so you can get the best seat in the house for a great price when you order Crazy Creek Chairs right here and now.

camp. T’s
Along with those deals, we’ve had our ‘camp. T’s’ discounted for this sale. Order any Tee we offer for $4 off while this sale is still going!

New Summer Camp Greeting Cards
And, last but not least of our main features, get your Set of 5 Cards for communication with your camper at $2 off the regular price!

And, of course, you can find other sales cuts all over our site, so be sure to shop around! You can get 10% off SELECT Duffle Bags, Floor Mats, Toiletry Bags, Rain Gear, and Stationery . Get 15% off all Bedding and 20% off of all Name Labels! Knock out your camp preparations while this sale still lasts and breathe a sigh of relaxation for the summer season! As always, thanks for reading, Shoppers!

- John

Hey, Summer Lovers!

Happy Memorial Day! This federal holiday of the United States is observed to remember and honor the many soldiers who have fallen in service to their country. Initially a day of observance for soldiers who died in the Civil War, the day has since been stretched to honor all soldiers who have fallen during their time in the service of the United States Military.

Because of the observed day off from school or work many people pass the day leisurely with friends and family, enjoying the outdoors (weather permitting), and grilling out or picnicking. Others with a closer connection to those who have served their country might visit cemeteries or memorials.

Memorial Day occurs every year on the last Monday in May, though it didn’t always. It was changed in 1971 under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act from its initial, consistent date, May 30. Check out some more facts you might not know about this holiday:

Renamed
In honor of the soldiers who have died, friends and family traditionally adorn the grave sites of their loved ones with flowers, wreaths, flags, and alike to celebrate what was originally Decoration Day as the cemeteries were decorated. The name of this holiday was officially changed in the 1880s and became Memorial Day.

Redeemed
There are nine states—Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia—that have officially set a day in addition to Memorial Day that commemorates the Confederate soldiers who died in the war as well. The date of observance tends to vary (except for in Virginia where they celebrate on the same day as Memorial Day).

Remembered
Congress passed a law 18 years ago that required American citizens to pause at 3:00 in the afternoon on Memorial Day to remember and honor those who died in service. This isn’t exactly an enforced law, nor is it quite common knowledge, but it’s a nice sentiment that you can carry out now that you’re aware.

So Summer Campers, I hope you found these points about this holiday interesting and that this post has given you a better understanding of Memorial Day. From Everything Summer Camp, we wish a Happy Memorial Day to all you Camp Families and, as always, thanks for reading.

John