Hey, Summer Camp Fans!

I started this Blog back in 2013 and, posting about celebrities who attended camp or have had a significant involvement in the summer camp community, I’ve covered almost 50 celebrities. Some celebrities boast more involvement with summer camps than others. Backtracking a bit, it seems a good idea to review some of the big names who have a stronger connection to summer camp than others.

A couple weeks ago, I posted a second post about Lisa Loeb—arguably the queen of summer camp celebs.

As previously stated a couple years ago on this Blog, funnyman Seth Rogen was also a fan of summer camp—especially when he was 13. In fact, if it wasn’t for summer camp and Seth’s stay at Camp Miriam, the world may have never heard of this now incredibly famous superstar. In fact, he honed his stand-up comedy skills at camp and even used his camp counselors is his routines at times. Everybody say, “Thanks, Camp Miriam!”

Settled in the ubiquitous forests of Gabriola, Canada, Jewish camp, Camp Miriam features a fun atmosphere with a climbing wall, swimming pool, sport fields, a vegetable garden, and much more. What was so special about Camp Miriam for Seth? I think it’s safe to say it was the atmosphere of the community there.

Bringing the ‘funny’ to this fun setting, Seth quickly fell in love with his ability to make his peers laugh. At just 16, Rogen came in second place in the 1998 Vancouver Amateur Comedy Contest. “As soon as I realized you could be funny as a job, that was the job I wanted,” Seth once said.

Pursuing a career in comedy—and nothing else—you might say Seth became rather successful, very quickly. A talented voice actor, you can hear Seth in such animated films as ‘Horton Hears a Who!’, ‘Kung Fu Panda’, and ‘Monsters vs. Aliens’. He’s even voiced for some episodes of ‘The Simpsons’!

Check him out in the video below for Camp Miriam and, as always, thanks reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

I’m posting Tips and Advice about the Five Goals of Summer Camp on Tuesdays throughout May. Last week I gave parental pointers you can use to help make sure you’re kid improves in athleticism, intellectualism, and artistry—Goal #2—and the week before that I talked about Goal #1: Have Fun. Today we cover new territory with Goal #3.

Goal #3: Gain Independence.

Goal #3 is a different animal than the first two. You can tell, pretty much immediately, if your kid had fun at camp or if they sharpened their skills in things they’re passionate about. The results of the first two goals are more-or-less concrete outcomes, whereas the results from Goal #3 can be a little more subtle and slow to show.

Being away from home in itself gives your kid the confidence and interest in discovering new things on their own. Kids become more outgoing and take healthy risks that they otherwise wouldn’t take with parents around. In fact, being away from home is the most influential forces in gaining independence.

Sometimes, the results of your kid’s achieved independence will be more evident. Kids return from camp and suddenly stop interrupting when you’re talking with somebody else or clearing the dinner table without being asked. How does this happen?

It works like this: your kid is given a taste of something new at camp—responsibility. They’re responsible for tasks at camp and (with guidance) they’re responsible for themselves. This creates an awareness and understanding of what needs to be done within their community at camp and, without being told what to do, campers do it.

As noted in Drs. Chris Thurber and Jon Malinowski’s ‘The Summer Camp Handbook,’ “Independence slowly evolves alongside an increased sense of interdependence—the way in which we all count on one another.

Parents should also keep in mind that their kid’s increased responsibility and use of manners will likely fade throughout the year. After all, they're kids! Camp isn’t going to turn them into adults! It just gives them a push in the right direction. Come back next week to read about Goal #4: Make Friends and Develop Social Skills. And, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Explorers!

If you’re an intrepid explorer, than you probably already know that one of the best places to do your exploring is in a museum! There are all different kinds of museums and they’re all rich with the discovery and exploration of modern, historic—and sometimes PREhistoric—times! From science, art, history, natural history, and other categories, roughly 17,000 museums can be found in the U.S.Lots of small towns have their own, small history museum. And, though widely considered the least popular type of museum to visit, you’d be surprised what you can find out about the history of your own town. Some towns are able to boast battlefields and other, interesting claims to history. Today’s a good day to visit your town’s museum if you have one—it’s National Museum Day!

Easily winning the numbers, small town museums ARE considered less of an occasion than any others. For a step up I would recommend planning a visit to your closest science or art museum. These places will hit the spot when hungry for an afternoon of educational and grabbing entertainment.

In my opinion, however, the natural history museums are best. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I was spoiled with frequent trips to the Milwaukee Public Museum throughout my childhood. I love that place! For a thorough and accurate look into the prehistoric past, ancient times, and modern history, this is a great place to visit.

As opposed to the 60 minute/afternoon-long trip you’ll likely find at most science, art, or small town museums, you could spend the better part of a day browsing the three floors of the Milwaukee Public Museum’s countless exhibits, dioramas, and information signs.

Plan a trip to your closest or favorite museum soon if you can’t make it today! It’s a day sure to be brimming with fun! As always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Lovers!

As it’s prime time for all of you to be gearing up for the fast-approaching summer camp season, it’s that time again for Everything Summer Camp as well. That’s why we’ve recently made outstanding additions to our stellar camp shop. While we’ve already added a LOT, we’re not done just yet! We put our heads together for our most recent addition and said, “Let’s think Pink…”
Take a peek at our latest bedtime apparel of Fleece Robes, Pants, and Shorts from Candy Pink!

These bedtime and lazy morning apparel pieces work great for getting sweet dreams and beauty sleep at summer camp or afterward, at home. The Robe, Pants, and Shorts are all made of 100% polyester. Pick your favorite design of these four, fun available options—Bubblegum, Handbag, Make-Up, and Neon Animal—and be sure to catch your Zzz’s in these comfy fleece pajama bottoms.

Begin and end each day at camp living the life of luxury. You’ll know it every time you sink into a Candy Pink Robe. You’ll be the coolest at camp in your Fleece Robe that matches or compliments the Candy Pink design on your pajama bottoms. Wrap yourself in complete comfort and fall in love with a Fleece Robe of your own.

The epitome of soft, these Fleece Pants make excellent pajama bottoms at night or the enjoyable rainy morning. They fit nicely, giving you a snug hug around your waist. Go with these awesome pants for your camp stay.

Of course, if it’s too hot out, better go with a pair of Fleece Shorts as well. They’ll be super-comfy on a hot summer day or sitting around a roasting fire at night. Sure to keep you comfy and not-too-hot when you wear them to bed, these Shorts are perfect for a pleasant camp stay.

Shop all of our p.m. apparel right here and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Aficionados!

Last Tuesday I talked about a series I’m posting on this Blog throughout the month of May. The series is about the Five Goals of Summer Camp. Last week I disclosed the first goal, which is by far the easiest to accomplish at summer camp: Have Fun! The next goal isn’t too difficult either, and that goal is:

Goal #2: Improving athletic, intellectual, and artistic skills. 

As Dr. Chris Thurber and Dr. Jon Malinowski point out in their excellent summer camp guide, ‘The Summer Camp Handbook,’ they explain the five goals of summer camp. And from their explanation, we can glean that for the same reason Goal #1 is so easy to achieve, Goal #2 is nearly as easy. And why is that?

Because camps are fun manufacturers—experts at it, in fact! They can make anything fun and they have countless fun things to do. That’s why you’re sure to have so MUCH fun at camp!

And that’s why you’re sure to mature in athleticism, intellectualism, and artistry (or, to put it another way, your body, mind, and soul).

Parent Pointers:

-    Most cabin staffers have a knack for teaching. But you’ll want to make sure of this yourself. Watch for specific qualities in cabin leaders—do they set a good example or do they start swearing when they lose their temper? Do they encourage the personal improvements of campers or do they use competition as a means of motivation?

-    Overnight camps offer something that day camps can’t: immersion. The improvements of Goal #2 take some time. Kids need every second of the day to work on these things. They get that at overnight camp. There, they eat, breathe, and sleep camp. However, at day camps, the camp day ends at a specific time every day. The learning process is interrupted and never given enough time to really bloom.

-    Lots of kids can have a tendency to stick with the things they know. If they have a preexisting passion for archery, it’s likely that their first instinct will be to head off to the archery targets. Before camp, it’s good to encourage your children to challenge themselves with something new during their camp stay.

Goal #2 will certainly be reached at any good summer camp! Tune in next week, Tuesday, to hear about Goal #3—Gain Independence. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John