Hey, Flight Fans!

If there’s no greater thrill for you than taking off in a giant piece of metal that goes soaring through the sky, you’re not alone. Lots of people think flying is the greatest. Planes are undeniably awesome. In fact, the Blue Angels just performed a show on the Fourth of July weekend this summer—they’re a hit! That’s why we have National Aviation Day.

In celebration of this awesome holiday, I thought I’d give you these five little-known-facts involving the Wright Brothers—the fathers of Human Aviation.

1.) Did you know that inspiration and obsession with flight was instilled in the Wright Brothers from a young age in 1878 when their father gifted them with a flying model helicopter made out of cork, paper, bamboo, and powered by a rubber band. The boys were hooked.

2.) In an issue of The New York Times from 1903, the paper published their prediction that building a flying machine would not be possible for another 1 to 10 million years. Later in 1903, the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk.
3.) The Wright Brothers flew together just once in 1910. Scared to lose his sons to flying accidents, Milton Wright (the Wright father) made his sons promise to never fly together. Milton, however, allowed them to fly together one beautiful day in May. He too, at 82 years old, went for a ride with his son Orville piloting. As they gained elevation, Milton’s said to have shouted, “Higher, Orville, higher!”

4.) The Wright Flyer from 1903 flew for one day and never again. Four flights were made in the Wright Flyer on December 17, 1903. Before taking the Flyer up for one last flight for the day, a heavy wind tossed the aircraft around, flipping it over several times. The damage done to their aircraft was irreparable and it was never flown again.

5.) Neil Armstrong, like the Wright family was from Ohio. Standing on the Wright shoulders of human aviation, Armstrong took a piece of wood from the original 1903 Wright Flyer’s left propeller to the moon with him, honoring Orville and Wilbur who helped to make space travel possible.

As #2 insinuates, outlook was not good in the early 1900s concerning human aviation. We had little to no idea what we were talking about. One thing’s for sure—we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without the Wright Brothers and their dedication/obsession with conquering the ability of flight.

Enjoy the video below depicting many early, failing attempts of flight. Happy Aviation Day and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Looking for a great summer camp for your daughter? Well, it just so happens I have an amazing all girls summer camp to brag about. Everything Summer Camp is more-than-happy to present Camp Riverview for girls with whom we have the pleasure of working.

Located in Mentone, Alabama, Riverview Campgrounds are nestled away off the Desoto Parkway. Bearing lovely surroundings like Lookout Mountain, the clear, green waters of Little River, and the awe-inspiring rock formations of Mentone, Riverview is surrounded by beautiful, privately-owned woodlands. It’s a fine place for a young girl to spend her summer.

They offer a plethora of great activities like Horseback Riding, Swimming, Ropes Course, Tennis, Canoeing, Golf, Basketball, Gymnastics, Dance, Archery, Arts & Crafts, Outdoor Living Skills, Rope Swing, Volleyball, Soccer, Riflery, Knitting, Drama, Counselors in Training, Climbing Tower, River Water Blob, Cheerleading, Flag Twirling, Riverview Refinement, Voice and Music, and so much more!
Much more than just a beautiful campground with lots of things to do, Camp Riverview has been a camp rich with traditions since 1926. Enjoy summer night programs like Camper Talent Night, Cabin Fun Night, or Riverview Olympics during the day.

Staying in modest, but beautiful, rustic cabins, equipped with all the modern conveniences that make camp comfortable, Riverview campers start out in ‘Deer Hollow’ and, as they get older, they eventually make their way to ‘The Reservation’, and after that, ‘Arapaho’, a spacious lodge with a very large lobby for senior campers.
Riverview is a fantastic girls camp where each and every camper is made to feel welcome as part of the Riverview community and is also given the opportunity to discover some things out about themselves that may never have learned without the summer camp experience.

For an excellent summer camp experience yourself, check out Camp Riverview for yourself and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Always finding the coolest products to bring in from awesome vendors like Woolrich, Columbia, JanSport, and many others, we just can’t help ourselves when we see great products. Check out these three Lockers 101 products from Three Cheers for Girls, now available here at Everything Summer Camp!

Magnetic Bin 
Keep all your little things tidy and together with this wire mesh Magnetic Storage Bin. Hang it on the outside of your footlocker at summer camp and in your locker when school starts up again. A great means of organization, this attractive wire mesh Bin is a girl’s best friend! It’s 4.75″ long by 3.5″ tall, and 2″ deep.

                                                                                     Dots, Stars & Stripes Trio Set
Go with the most popular Lockers 101 set—the Dots, Stars & Stripes Trio Set. First, it has a magnetic dry erase board including a marker and three magnets. Second, there’s a glitter pin board that includes three pushpins for decorative pinning on your locker interior. And third, you’ll love the view with the polka dot-framed mirror. A great set for any camper and/or student, the Dots, Stars & Stripes Trio brings ease and usefulness to your locker life.

My Busy Life Set
As its popularity will tell you, the Dots, Stars & Stripes Trio is GREAT! But if you really like to take life in the fast lane, then the My Busy Life Set from Lockers 101 is the way to go for your fast-paced lifestyle! Fill all 160 pages of the Busy Life hard cover journal and keep your meetings and plans organized with the 24 sheet monthly desk planner. You’ll also find hundreds of sticky notes, flags, sheets of stickers, a page marker, and a ball point pen in this awesome Set to help keep your busy schedule organized and manageable! Packaged inside a durable and reusable storage tray, they really thought of everything at Lockers 101 for this Set! Organize your hectic lifestyle with My Busy Life Set for your organizational convenience.

Accessorize your trunks and school lockers with these practical and convenient products from Lockers 101 and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey there, Fishermen and Women!

Did you do any fishing this summer during your time away at camp? Well, camp may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pack a lot more fishing into this summer. Talk to your folks about taking you fishing or helping you locate safe and proper areas where you can fish on your own. It’s a great way to spend an easy summer morning, afternoon, or even evening! You can spend the rest of your summer ‘gone fishing’ with these excellent, two, new Fishing Poles that are now available at Everything Summer Camp—the Telescopic Pole and the All Species Pole from Ready 2 Fish. Check ‘em out:

Telescopic Pole
Measuring in at 5’ 6” when fully extended, this medium/light Fishing Rod is a smart  choice since you’ll never have to worry about breaking the rod tip during transportation! Complete with a telescopic rod blank with ceramic guides, a full EVA Grip Rod Handle, and pre-spooled, reusable spincast reel, this is a great pole for any kid. Don’t be left with a broken pole on those summer days when the fish are bitin’! Go with the Ready 2 Fish Telescopic Pole! Check it out for yourself right here.

All Species Pole
Fish with your friends this summer using the All Species Pole from Ready 2 Fish. This 5’ 6” medium/light spincast rod has greatly reduced chance of breaking as it separates into two  separate pieces. With a fiberglass rod blank that boasts ceramic guides as well as a Split Grip Rod Handle, the All Species Pole is ready for some action this summer. Check out one for yourself right here.

You may also want to check out other items we carry like bug spray and sunscreen if you’re planning on being outdoors, out on the water, for long periods of time. Staying protected makes for happy fishing! And, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, you Lazy Loafers!

Don’t worry!—I’m not trying to call you out on it. In fact, I’m here to encourage your laziness today! That’s right. Shove your chores aside! Stretch out! Put the recliner back and the footrest up! Today was meant for anyone and everyone who’s ever been bit by the lazy bug or born with a lazy bone; today is National Lazy Day.

Unlike my sister’s adorable, but lethargic, Chihuahua—Tilly—National Lazy Day comes just once a year for folks like you and me (at least, only once on such an official level as this). So, just for today, let’s all embrace our laziness and live it up like Tilly and all her apathetic Chihuahua friends.

But a day of such lethargy and slothfulness has given me pause and created a dilemma for me. After all, how should a day of such indifference be observed on this Blog? Is it right to advertise and campaign in favor of such languor and inertia? Or does it fly in the face of the very thesis that National Lazy Day stands for?—Inactivity! Inattentiveness! And ABOVE ALL Arrested Productivity!

I apologize…. Allow me to take a step back; I’m getting a little too passionate here for a day like today…

To write today’s post, I first sat down with a focus on the origins of National Lazy Day. I thought we could discover what historical events took place, paving the way for this day to be put into motion. But then, thought, no. That sounds like learning. And learning just sounds like too much work today.

So, then I thought, maybe I’ll compile a list of appropriate ways to display your laziness for today, y’know—sleep in until noon…watch cartoons all day…take a nap. But then I started to worry that lists go hand-in-hand with productivity which is NOT in the spirit of this holiday. I’m here to tell you to relax, not assign you a ‘To-Do’ list (as lazy as it may be).

And so it was that I lazily came to this final conclusion:

There is NOTHING I can say to advocate National Lazy Day without thereby defying it. In other words, enjoy National Lazy Day…y’know…if you feel like it…

As for myself, I’ve decided to simply quit…the Blog, my job, perhaps my personal hygiene—just for today. I’m really gonna do Lazy Day up in style. I’ll seek out the true nature of laziness as Luke Skywalker sought out the ways of The Force from the great, Jedi Master, Yoda.… I’ll pursue an apprenticeship for myself under the Master of True Laze herself…Tilly.

- John

Oh yeah—and, y’know, as always, thanks for reading…I guess..