Hey, Patriotic People!

The country celebrates and honors all its past presidents on this day as today is Presidents’ Day. However, this wasn’t always a day meant for celebrating our nation’s previous presidents. No, it was originally meant to celebrate just one of our presidents—the very first one we had, President George Washington.
That’s right. Today’s holiday was actually intended to celebrate Washington’s Birthday. In fact, Presidents’ Day is sometimes still referred to as ‘Washington’s Birthday’, though George Washington’s real birthday is on February 22 (it was moved to the third Monday in February so it would always land on a Monday). Since its move, its meaning changed as well, incorporating other presidents.  But because this day started with ol’ George, I thought I’d tell you some stuff you probably didn’t know about our first president.

1.) First of all, despite the fact that it WAS customary for a man of his stature to have graduated college (as all his contemporaries had), George did not continue his education after the age of 16. Instead his older brother taught him the trade of land surveying and mapmaking. This became George’s occupation before that whole president-thing came along.

2.) Lots of people think that George had wooden teeth, but his dentures were ACTUALLY made out of lead, ivory, gold, and some animal teeth. George ended up losing a lot of his own teeth in his early 20’s due to poor dental hygiene. Take it from ol’ George, kids. If you don’t brush ‘em, you won’t get to keep ‘em.

3.) Did you know that George Washington did not want to be president? He was elected for presidency and, despite the fact that he had support for a THIRD term, it was he who made the decision to step down and let somebody else do the job. It was then set in order that presidents could only serve a maximum of two terms.

So, I hope I taught you at least a thing or two about our nation’s first president today. Happy Presidents’ Day and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Romantics!

Nobody should be surprised—today, of all days—if you so happen to receive some kind of note, card, candy, or other small gift from someone along with a request that you be their Valentine. Sometimes it can be very clear as to just WHO this special someone is; other times, however, they might hide behind anonymity as a secret admirer, too shy to just come out and express their feelings.

Well, we aren’t shy whatsoever here at Everything Summer Camp. We’ll say it loud and say it proud. We LIKE you. We like you A LOT! When it comes to our customers, we’re pretty much head-over-heels and ready to bend over backwards, forwards, sideways—whichever way it is that’s sure to make you happy. So, on behalf of Everything Summer Camp, I ask you: Will You Be Mine?

Our feelings toward our customers should come as no surprise to you since we’re always trying to demonstrate our love through our jaw-dropping discounts, excellent service, incredible construction, and lickety-split speed.

Some people like to write their Valentines a love poem. Others go for romantic walks together and some plan on dining out for a special dinner tonight. We have a different way of showing our love, but it should reassure you, nonetheless, that our feelings our true.

At Everything Summer Camp we want every sale to last forever and, while we can’t make that happen, we can just continue to run sale after sale after sale, which is essentially what we’ve been doing since before the holiday season in December. We had sales all throughout December, January, and we had one sale at the beginning of this month.

Stay tuned throughout the next couple of weeks to learn what we’re doing to enhance our customer service and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

You know who else is a fan of summer camp? Michael Dell of Dell computers. That’s right. The founder and chief executive of Dell computers was a summer camper just like you when he was your age. He may be an accomplished, incredibly successful business mogul NOW, but back in the day, he was just like you: a kid at summer camp.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Michael went to Camp Champions, a co-ed summer camp located along the shores of Lake LBJ which is nearby Marble Falls.

Michael sold ‘Houston Post’ subscriptions as a 15-year-old high schooler. And, by simply reassessing and retargeting his prime clientele, Michael made about $18,000 that year (which was more than some of his teachers made).

A businessman before he grew up, Michael showed promising skills in taking apart computers and putting them back together. He attended college at the University of Texas studying pre-med. And while there, he started up an informal business that put together and sold upgrade kits for personal computers.

As insignificant as it was at the time, this was actually the very early beginning of Dell Inc. By the time he was 27, Michael had become the youngest CEO of the top 500 corporations. Dell is now the world’s third-largest computer hardware manufacturer.

Ranked in 2012 as the 41st richest person in the world, Michael puts his mountains of money to great use having founded the educational program called Breakthrough Austin. Helping underprivileged students to be all they can be, Breakthrough students receive personal, thorough, complete, and continuous support.

Unfortunately, it’s a fact that, in comparison to families that are better off, students who come from low-income families are less likely to attend college by a factor of seven! A family man himself, Michael understands how important it is that every child (independent of their family’s financial status) has an equal opportunity to receive an education. Everything Summer Camp couldn’t agree more.

Summer camp was an excellent experience for Michael Dell. What does it have in store for you? As always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John

Hey, Summer Camp Fans!

We’re publishing our first book! These are exciting times for us here at Everything Summer Camp. Originally published 15 years ago, the authors of ‘The Summer Camp Handbook’ thought their helpful guidebook could use a solid updating.

Rather than a catalog of camps, this book offers excellent advice about choosing camps, packing essential camp gear, and emotionally preparing your child (as well as yourself) for the approaching summer camp season.

Written and updated by summer camp experts Christopher Thurber and Jon Malinowski, these two have been great friends since they met all those summers ago at camp. Take it from them. They know everything you need to know about sending your kid off to summer camp. They wrote the book on it, in fact. And then they rewrote it!

Having thoroughly revised this book three times, Chris and Jon have thoroughly updated it to include day camps, reflect modern approaches to co-ed camps, and share helpful material on technology, homesickness, and camp outcomes.

I myself rolled up my sleeves for this project as well and completely re-illustrated the 70-some illustrations throughout the book including the new cover. After that, I also redesigned the layout.

“Summer camp families who have shopped our website know that we are more than just a supplier of camping gear,” says Vice President of Everything Summer Camp, Mark. “Everything Summer Camp has always wanted to help families get ready for camp and get the most out of the camp experience. When Chris and Jon approached us to publish the new edition of their book it made perfect sense for us to get involved.”

What an honor it is for Everything Summer Camp to have our name on such a helpful, quality guidebook as ‘The Summer Camp Handbook’. Check out a copy for yourself and make the first step in making your kid’s next summer camp experience be the best. Thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John

Hey, Campers!

We sell a lot of camping gear and other camp supplies. With a name like Everything Summer Camp what else would you expect, right? We’re always bringing in new products as well, but no matter how many different items of camping gear we start to carry, our pride and joy is securely stored away in our C&N Footlockers.

Originally named C&N Footlockers (after the owners Craig and Nancy), Everything Summer Camp got its start manufacturing these quality footlocker trunks. In the last 28 years, we’ve made a lot of changes including our name, our target, as well as the amount of products we sell. But, despite all these changes, we still manufacture our camp trunks with C&N quality and construction.

And, in the same way that Everything Summer Camp is constantly growing and evolving, so are our camp trunks. That’s why we’ve added two new colors to our camp trunk collection: Mint and Coral. Select to view the Happy Camper in whichever color you like best. After that, just feast your eyes and fall in love.

Like a breath of minty-fresh air, the C&N Happy Camper in Mint is complimentary and absolutely breathtaking. Breathe in deep and take it in. Just as cool and refreshing as a piece of bedroom furniture as it is at summer camp, you can’t go wrong with a cool Mint trunk.

If you’re looking for a soothing shade like that of the marine life under the sea, check out the Happy Camper in our new Coral color. A neutral balance of pink and orange, Coral is a compromise that leaves everyone happy and content. Relax like these otherworldly creatures and get Coral for your camp trunk.

Whichever color you decide is right for your trunk, either one is sure to bring a fresh, new look to your Happy Camper. As always, thanks for reading.

- John