A Long Time Ago, in a Blog post Far, Far Away

Today is National Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you. Today is a good day to celebrate these movies that started a revolution in the movie-making industry. Celebrate with this Blog post and watch these fantastic films today. More than just movies to many, many people, Star Wars lives!For as long as I can remember, I’ve been watching Star Wars. If you DON’T know it, it’s the story of Luke Skywalker, a key member of the Rebel Alliance who helps in the stand against the evil, oppressive Empire a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

That’s how the original trilogy goes, anyway. With older brothers and my dad—an avid science fiction fan—who cherished these movies, it was pre-decided for me that I would love these movies as much as they did. And I do. It was my DEStiny! Anyway, I found it amazing that three movies that started in 1977 were still able to generate so much excitement in my youth.

When the films were rereleased as the Special Edition, the Star Wars world was all abuzz. Not so much longer after that, the prequels came out which generated an incredible amount of enthusiasm and anticipation. And we live in exciting times right NOW as a new trilogy is being filmed.

That’s right, if you haven’t heard the news yet—here it is!—Star Wars is coming back and the first movie of the new trilogy is being released on December 18 of 2015! And, despite a largely disappointed crowd of Star Wars fans after the release of the prequel movies, these new films are getting Star Wars fans excited again.

Bringing back a surprisingly great number of the original Star Wars cast including Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), and many more, these movies are set to take place some time after ‘The Return of the Jedi’ (the last film in the original trilogy).

Get excited and click the link to watch the really cool Star Wars trailer below (if you haven’t already seen it). Happy Star Wars Day and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngElkyQ6Rhs

Hey, Camp Fans!

An essential item that can be found on everybody’s packing list for summer camp is a reliable flashlight! As the Everything Summer Camp Flashlight Collection proves, sources of light come in all different shapes and sizes. After all, we’ve got the standard Handheld Flashlights, Digital Flashlight Clocks, Lanterns, AND Headlamps.

For those who are fed up, fumbling around with flashlights, Princeton Tec suggests that, in the fashion of a mining helmet, you simply wear a lamp on your head. For the last 40 years, Princeton Tec has managed to pave the way in the lighting industry by continuing to drive their technology forward thanks to their hard work, innovative thinking, and biomimicry—breakthroughs in technology inspired by the natural world around us.

The fearless team at Princeton Tec isn’t afraid to travel the planet by ocean, by air, by bike, or by foot in order to achieve the best possible understanding of the environment they’re attempting to brighten. Whether it means scaling mountains or walking on the ocean floor—Princeton Tec is either there or planning a trip for it.

Recently making the sixth addition to our assortment of available Princeton Tec Headlamps, the SYNC Headlamp can now be found among the others here at Everything Summer Camp.

This Headlamp floods the night with piercing light. With settings for high and low flood, red LED, spot beam, and dual beam (for when the night goes pitch black). The Princeton Tec Sync Headlamp will burn for 75 hours at a powerful 90 Lumens. Casting a beam a maximum of nearly 200 feet, make the night bright with the Sync wrapped around your head.

Very durable and water-resistant, the SYNC Headlamp comes with the 3 AAA batteries it takes to run. Check it out for yourself right here. As always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

A big part of summer camp is sleeping under the stars when your adventures take you too far from your cabin. Falling asleep in the great outdoors is certainly a magical experience, assuming you have the proper gear, that is. If you expect your camp outings to stretch through the night, then you’ll need to make sure you’ve got all the right gear.

Before you embark on your woodsy hikes this summer, make sure you’ve got the right backpack for the job. We just started carrying FOUR, NEW backpacks from Kelty. Check ‘em out:

1.) The Kelty Dobler, with a spacious main compartment, provides a padded sleeve that can fit a laptop of 17” or provide safekeeping for any maps and books that you bring along. The Dobler is also equipped with a bungee system on the outside for times when you need to carry a little more than you can fit inside.

2.) The Kelty Bueller, like the Dobler, boasts a large interior that includes a padded sleeve to offer safekeeping of maps or books that you don’t want bent. This mid-sized day pack also features a hydration sleeve (reservoir not included) as well as a convenient external water bottle pocket so hydration is always at your fingertips.

3.) Sling the Kelty Yukon on your shoulders. This external-framed brute won’t have any trouble packing everything you need when you head out on those long, scenic treks. Fully-armed with a reservoir sleeve (reservoir not included), mesh water bottle and other zippered side pockets, and a sleeping bag compartment, the Yukon is ready for camp.

4.) And last, but not least, the Kelty Redwing can fit everything you need to hit a full day on the trail. Top and Side Panel Loading, it has a large front pocket featuring an organizer so you can keep your camp supplies and various, smaller items neat and orderly on your adventures. With space galore on the inside, it’s outside also offers a convenient water bottle pocket and zippered side pockets. Hydration compatible, but reservoir not included, Kelty’s got your back with the Redwing Backpack.

Be prepared on your adventures this summer with one of these choice backpacks from Kelty. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Preppers!

As we’ve moved through April, I’ve been posting a series of Tips and Advice every Monday about involving your soon-to-be-camper in the planning stages of summer camp.

I introduced the topic on April 6, explaining the importance of including your child. The week after that, I talked about solidifying the length of your camper’s camp stay in your their mind. And last week, was about things to avoid (if at all possible), like moving homes or any upsetting separations directly before or during your kid’s camp stay.

Today concludes this series with probably the most important part of your kid’s involvement in summer camp planning: Keeping Your Doubts to Yourself!
Noted in the excellent preparatory guidebook, ‘The Summer Camp Handbook,’ Doctors Chris Thurber and Jon Malinowski discuss the proper way to reveal your attitude concerning your kid’s camp stay in front of your kid. In their book, they discuss the importance of creating an optimistic and fun approach to camp. After all, your demeanor has more effect over your child’s demeanor than you may realize.

For instance, saying something like:

“I love you so much! You know I’ll miss you, but once you get to camp, you’re going to have so much fun; you won’t even have time to be homesick!”

…is better than…

“I have no idea what I’ll do without you while you’re off at camp. I’m going to miss you so much!—I don’t know how I’ll get through those two weeks.”

…which is Not so Good!

It’s also smart to give kids a few examples of your plans during their camp stay. Let them know that you’ll be keeping yourself occupied while they’re away.

Though doubts may seep into your mind from time to time, you know your kid’s going to have a blast at camp. Give them your support and remind them of a couple things—how proud they make you and that they played a hand in the decision to go to camp.

With encouragement like that, your kid shouldn’t have any worries about the approaching camp season. Enjoy the time leading up to camp and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey there, Flashlight Aficionados!

One essential item that’s sure to be on everybody’s summer camp packing list is a flashlight. Throughout the many posts on this Blog, I’ve written a lot concerning flashlights: we had National Flashlight Day, I talked about the history of the flashlight, and, of course, I wrote about the awesome Flashlights that we carry here at Everything Summer Camp.

We may already offer a handful of awesome Flashlights through our online shop, but, even so, we just couldn’t help ourselves when we saw this one. Super cool—and super small—the miniMongo Flashlight is certain to become a summer camp hit this approaching camp season.

It’s true what they say—big things really do come in small packages. Small enough to fit inside your pocket, the miniMongo is COMpact! But don’t let its small size fool you. This thing ain’t no joke! It’ll blast 160 Lumens of light over 150 yards without breaking a sweat. Shine this little light into the night to brighten it like you never have before!

A perfect flashlight for summer camp, the miniMongo is ready for anything that the summer camp lifestyle might throw its way. It’s durable and water-resistant so you can use it in the rain without any concern of it getting damaged.

You’re sure to love the many faces of this Flashlight; available in a handful of different styles, you can pick your favorite Flashlight style from Black, Silver, Pink, or cool Camo.

Also great for telling ghost stories around the campfire and entertaining friends with shadow puppets, the miniMongo is definitely the Flashlight for you during your camp stay. Batteries included, check this awesome Flashlight out for yourself by clicking right here.

Have fun fulfilling your summer camp’s packing list and, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John