Hey, Trunk Lovers!

To begin February on the Blog, I posted about our new Designer Trunks—camp trunks that sport a design of your choice with over a hundred options to choose from! Designer Trunks are made with the same rugged and detailed construction as is given to all C&N Footlockers, except the traditional steel exterior is swapped out for a durably-laminated and dazzling high-definition print.

In my last post about Designer Trunks, I told you that on top of the hundred-plus options that are already available, we’re adding more all the time! Well, make way! As we now approach the end of February, I thought I’d post again about the new patterns we’ve added for our Designer Trunks since the month began.

Recently adding a sequel to our Aztec Designer Trunk—inspired by the minds of the native people in ancient Mexico—we now offer Aztec Stripes. Cousin to our Botanical Explosion Pattern Trunk, the Paisley Explosion Designer Trunk is a celebratory spray of floral designs growing wild. We’ve also added a work of whimsy with our Bubbles Trunk. Float away on these enchanting hollow spheres as they journey across this Designer Trunk.

We also added our Cubic Weave Trunk which features cube under and over and under and over and under and over other cubes. Taken in as a whole, it makes for a neat-looking camp trunk. Lastly, our Floating Circles Trunk is included in this current batch of new trunks. Abstract dots orbiting each other in white air, Floating Dots makes for an eye-catching, mesmerizing, and colorful Designer Trunk.
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We only continue adding to our collection of Designer Trunks, and most of our trunk designs have multiple color options. With so many options adding up quickly, our Designer Trunks are certain to deliver a trunk that strikes your fancy.

Once complete, Designer Trunks are more durable than paint! So what are you waiting for? Click here to check them out and order your own! As always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Aficionados!

Since it first became a thing back in the late 1800s, billions of kids have flocked to summer camps to reap the benefit of community living amongst their peers and beautiful nature. There are so many different camps you can choose from, which is why we like to spotlight some of the great camps with whom we, here at Everything Summer Camp, have the pleasure of working.

Today, I’m shining our spotlight on a camp that has a lot of history behind it. More than a hundred years in operation, Camp Belknap for boys was established back in 1903 in olden days. These were the times of Thomas Edison when horse-drawn carriages rolled through the streets and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ just been written!

Found on 267 acres of fields, forest and shoreline along the beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, Camp Belknap is much, much more than just a gorgeous place. Tons of fun  awaits you! Campers spend their days swimming, sailing, canoeing, playing baseball, basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball, golf, and tennis! And they all try their hand at archery, riflery, low ropes, arts, crafts, nature and conservation, photography, moviemaking, and more.

The campers of YMCA Camp Belknap are given their choice of activities based on the things they like, their athletic abilities and other skills, as well as their eagerness to learn. Camp Belknap keeps all if its athletic equipment wonderfully maintained, updated, and easily accessible to the campers.

Belknap’s beautiful campgrounds boast a waterfront area with a natural sandy beach, 9 tennis courts, 3 basketball courts, 3 large athletic fields, and modern lodges and cabins for all the campers. They have everything you need to have an awesome time this summer! Not to mention, great people to hang out with and a chance to learn about yourself and how you fit in among a community of people.

If you’re interested in sending your kid to YMCA Camp Belknap for boys, click here to visit their website and learn more. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

February is the month in which we celebrate President’s Day—this holiday landed on the 15th. The day was conceived as a way to combine both presidential birthdays that fall in February: Abraham Lincoln’s and George Washington’s. I posted about Abraham Lincoln on his birthday earlier this month. Today is George Washington’s birthday, or the day we celebrate, anyway.

Why don’t we celebrate on Washington’s actual birthday? Well, he was born on February 11, 1731—as it fell on the Julian calendar. However, the colonies switched to the Gregorian calendar (the one we all know and love today) which displaced his birthday to February 22. The date of New Year’s Day shifted as well, changing his birthday to February 22, 1732.

Washington was one hard-hitting president—the kind of leader America needed to stand up to the British and take our independence! Yes, General Washington certainly fought the good fight and won. He did it all in the face of adversity too. He had a number of health problems—not to mention, he saw his fair share of the action. Check out a few of the things he was up against:

1.) He didn’t have wooden teeth as many people believe. He did, however, have some pretty horrible dental issues. Dealing with the terrible pain of incessant toothaches starting in his mid-20s, Washington started having his teeth pulled and started losing about a tooth per year.

By the time he was 57, he had just one, lonely tooth left in his head which was eventually pulled and led him to the need for dentures. Dental health is extremely important to overall health and specifically linked to the condition of a person’s heart. Brush your teeth, kids!

2.) He was the sickest president in the history of the White House. Poor George got hit with a slew of illnesses that left him bedridden. He was sick with diphtheria, tuberculosis, smallpox, dysentery, malaria, something similar to tonsillitis, carbuncle, pneumonia, and epiglottitis. Luckily, modern day vaccines have eliminated most of these illnesses for us, but Washington was not so lucky.

3.) Probably one of his most serious brushes with mortal danger happened when he was 23 and seemingly haunted him till the end of his days. Aide to the British General who was leading an expedition against the French in Pennsylvania at the time, Washington was so ill he was ordered to stay behind. He followed anyway, tying pillows to his saddle to reduce the pain of traveling.

That day, Washington found himself in a battle that neither he, nor the troop he was with were ready for. And despite his hat getting shot off and four bullets tearing through his coat, Washington came away from the battle unharmed, leading the 40-mile retreat. He did, however, suffered continuous attacks of fever and dysentery for the rest of that year—sicknesses from which he never fully healed.Whether you celebrate Presidents’ Day or Washington’s birthday, be sure to look into the very interesting and very amazing life of Mr. Washington. We can all learn a lesson or two from our nation’s first president and founding father. And, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Lots of people go to camp. Others send their kids to camp. And SOME people do both. And celebrated American author of the beloved novel ‘The Great Gatsby’, F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of those individuals. It’s no longer in operation now, but Fitzgerald enjoyed a month-long stay at a Camp Chatham, located in Orillia, Ontario in 1907.

Fitzgerald must have well understood what a momentous time camp is for children. When he sent his 11-year-old daughter, Frances Fitzgerald to summer camp in 1933, he wrote to her a rather ‘grown up’ letter with some strong advice for her. Here are his words to her:

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DEAR PIE:

I feel very strongly about you doing duty. Would you give me a little more documentation about your reading in French? I am glad you are happy– but I never believe much in happiness. I never believe in misery either. Those are things you see on the stage or the screen or the printed page, they never really happen to you in life.

All I believe in in life is the rewards for virtue (according to your talents) and the punishments for not fulfilling your duties, which are doubly costly. If there is such a volume in the camp library, will you ask Mrs. Tyson to let you look up a sonnet of Shakespeare’s in which the line occurs Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds…

I think of you, and always pleasantly, but I am going to take the White Cat out and beat his bottom hard, six times for every time you are impertinent. Do you react to that?…
Half-wit, I will conclude.

Things to worry about:
 •    Worry about courage
•    Worry about cleanliness
•    Worry about efficiency
•    Worry about horsemanship…

Things not to worry about:
•    Don’t worry about popular opinion
•    Don’t worry about dolls
•    Don’t worry about the past
•    Don’t worry about the future
•    Don’t worry about growing up
•    Don’t worry about anybody getting ahead of you
•    Don’t worry about triumph
•    Don’t worry about failure unless it comes through your own fault
•    Don’t worry about mosquitoes
•    Don’t worry about flies
•    Don’t worry about insects in general
•    Don’t worry about parents
•    Don’t worry about boys
•    Don’t worry about disappointments
•    Don’t worry about pleasures
•    Don’t worry about satisfactions

Things to think about:
•    What am I really aiming at?
•    How good am I really in comparison to my contemporaries in regard to:
        (a) Scholarship
        (b) Do I really understand about people and am I able to get along with them?
        (c) Am I trying to make my body a useful instrument or am I neglecting it?

With dearest love,

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Giving a wonderful sense of his terse, yet compassionate fathering, this letter illustrates the honest relationship between the two. No wonder, Frances Fitzgerald followed in her father’s footsteps and saw great success as a writer as well.

We carry great products that encourage convenience for parents to stay in touch with their campers while they’re away. Check it out right here and, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John

Hey, Fun Fans!

If you’re a fan of fun, then this Blog post is sure to tickle your fancy! It’s no surprise that Melissa & Doug is so popular among the kiddies! Their games, toys, and other lines of kid products are always instant hits! Very aware of Melissa & Doug’s fandom, we figured it only makes sense to offer their fun games and other fun accessories at our shop. Check out these great new products we’ve recently added to our Melissa & Doug selection:

Artist Sketch Pad
Within this coil-bound pad, there are 50 sheets of acid free, white paper as well as countless hours of enjoyment and leisure. Encourage imagination and artistic skills with this 9” x 12” Sketch Pad.

Smarty Pants
This game increases brain power and shows you just whose pants are the smartest. Awesomely educational, this game is jam-packed with trivia, puzzles, activities, facts, and other fun methods of entertainment and education. Containing colorful, funny cards that will pique interest and exude education, this game keeps kids giggling away and excited to learn. Single and multi-player.

Scratch Art Pad
A perfect Art Pad for summer camp, Melissa & Doug’s Scratch Art Pad gives you a dozen pages to draw or trace on and experience stunning effects shining through. This spiral–bound artist’s 8″ x 10.5” book is easy fun for kids to enjoy and it comes with a wooden stylus and stencil sheet. Flip the Scratch Art Pad open to begin dazzling fun for yourself!

Jacks
An old recess classic and relaxing afternoons of summer vacation, Jacks is a timeless pastime. Get your stylish Jacks set for summer camp right here in our selection from Melissa & Doug. Including five silver jacks and five gold as well as two rubber balls, these pieces fit snug inside a practical pouch which then fits neatly within a quality wooden box    with a sliding lid and instructions for game play.

Camp is all about having a good time so be sure to bring some fun along with you and take your pick from our excellent selection of camp games from Melissa & Doug! And, as always, thanks for reading.

- John