Hey, Readers!

Since you have the day off from school, I’m sure most of you already know what today is: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. So much more than just a day off, though, today is a perfect day to educate one another about the powerful teachings and philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr.

King was born in 1929 to a teacher and Baptist minister. Born and raised, King attended school from grade school to high school to college, all in his hometown of Atlanta. He entered into his freshmen year at Morehouse College around 1945. This is when he was introduced to the writings of Henry David Thoreau—namely his ‘Essay on Civil Disobedience’.

King became very captivated with an idea presented in Thoreau’s essay—that idea: fighting back by not fighting at all. Thoreau’s essay discusses one’s refusal to follow along with an evil system as being resistance enough. Finding this idea so strong, King branded violent confrontation as “both impractical and immoral.”

At this point, King was still unsure that ‘turning the other cheek’ would deliver the lasting effect that he wanted. Was nonviolence a powerful-enough approach to making social change? Seeking to further his knowledge and understanding of nonviolent resistance, King looked into the life and writings of Mohandas Gandhi. After his reading, King was reassured that his nonviolent approach would create results.

At 25, King became a minister. It was around this time that he started making changes to things he didn’t like. His first focus became the segregated Montgomery buses. These buses said that African Americans could not sit with Caucasians. So King boycotted these buses and got lots of others to boycott the buses along with him.

This only sparked the beginning of the changes King would come to make. Learn more about the man’s life on our MLK Blog post from last year. And, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We’ve talked about the history of a lot of different things on this Blog, but my favorite subjects are the histories behind camping gear. That’s why today, I’m talking about the history behind the magnetic compass. Nobody really knows just how old the compass is, but that’s not to say that we don’t know much about its history. Check it out:

Before the compass was truly invented, the discovery of magnetism was already a popular fascination. It was William Gilbert (physician to Queen Elizabeth I in the early 1600’s) who first began to form the basic laws of magnetism. It was he who first speculated that the earth itself generates magnetism. 

Not to take credit away from Mr. Gilbert, but his theory of earth’s magnetism was written all over the place. After all, it was already common knowledge that magnets were made from magnetic rock called magnetite which occurs NATURALLY. The ancient Chinese were well aware of magnetite.

Chinese fortune tellers used the natural magnet, magnetite, to build their fortune-telling boards; they would use a piece of magnetite stone that would mysteriously shift, supposedly offering predictions for someone’s future. For a long time there was nothing but mysticism attached to magnetite’s behavior, but, eventually, it was seen for what it truly is: magnetism.

Linking this magnetism to a practical means of navigation, the invention of the compass was realized in China and made popular by the 3rd Century. Now perfected, the compass is a simple, lightweight device featuring a magnetized needle that sits on a free-rotating pivot to always show you which direction you’re facing.

Pick out your own magnetic compass from Everything Summer Camp and never lose your way again! As always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Flask Fans!

As you browse our online store, you may find yourself wondering how we manage to offer such great products for summer camp. We like to think that we have an impressive stock as it is right now, but we also acknowledge the fact that there is always room for improvement. And that’s why we, here at Everything Summer Camp, are constantly seeking out the coolest, most innovative, and newest products that have been released on the market.

On our latest hunt for what’s hottest and latest on the market of camping gear and summer camp supplies, we struck gold once again! Allow me to introduce to you our latest addition of our camping gear, the 21 oz. Insulated Water Bottle from Hydro Flask. This colorful stainless steel comes in a variety of colors and its screw on cap is provided with a carabineer attachment.

Don’t allow the temperature outside of your Insulated Hydro Flask to disturb the temperature of your drink inside! Thanks to the double-wall vacuum insulation of the Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle, you can keep your hot drinks hot for 12 hours and your cold drinks cold for 24! That ought to be long enough for your days away at summer camp or any other travels on which you’ll embark.

The temperature of your drink doesn’t affect how hot or cold the outside of the Hydro Flask is either. This way, your hands can comfortably hold this bottle without burning them, despite the hot coffee, tea, or cocoa inside. BPA free and bacteria/odor-resistant, this bottle fits in any standard cup holder, making it perfect for trips in the car, bike rides, and, of course, summer camp.

Keep your drinks the temperature you want them inside the Hydro Flask Standard-Mouth Vacuum Bottle. Enjoy your own Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle and get your own today. Thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Outdoors Boys and Girls!

It may be the dead of winter, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t venture outside! In fact, I encourage it. You’ll find that outdoor exercise is even more advantageous and invigorating in this cold, winter season. Today I’m going to give you some good ideas for wintertime activities so you can get your body going in the fresh, wintry air.

There are excellent options of things to do outside when the world is covered in a blanket of snow and the temperature drops until water turns into ice. With the fun you’re sure to have during these activities, you’ll warm up from the inside out in no time.

1.) Sledding. Sledding is a great thrill in winter. Feel the cold air rush past your face as you race down a hill of white. You can head out to a hill on your own or with a group of friends—so long as you bring a sled along, it’s sure to be a blast! And, of course, hauling your sled all the way back up a hill in the snow is taxing and is what gets you your exercise.

2.) Snowshoeing. Get your blood pumping with a brisk constitutional through a wintry landscape. Snowshoeing is great for keeping your feet—and thus, you—comfortable when trekking through a stretch of freshly fallen snow. By increasing the surface area that your feet cover, snowshoes will allow you to stay above the snow and walk on top of it. I recently posted about the health benefits of hiking, as well.

3.) Ice Skating. Sure, you can always go to an indoor rink, but, for maximum enjoyment, I would recommend taking your skating trip outside. This is a great way to spend a winter afternoon and can deliver some great exercise. Just ask the Peanuts crew!

So don’t let cabin fever settle in at your house this winter. Get out there in the great, white outdoors and get your body movin’! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Remember Keisha, our Supervisor in the Call Center? Back in August, I wrote an introductory Blog post about her. If you’ve placed an order over the phone for a C&N camp trunk or any other camping supplies in the last year, there’s a good chance that you spoke with Keisha. Well, today is her turn to share with everyone which product is her favorite from everything we offer here at Everything Summer Camp.

“Oh, that’s the Bunk Organizer—hands down,” Keisha says, smiling. “I mean, I have two of them in my house, so, it’s pretty much gotta be, right? My son is really into them too!”

While the Bunk Organizer is designed to take the place of a nightstand, its Velcro straps allow for easily attaching to not just the side or foot of a bunk bed, but you can certainly find other places to hang it. Keisha’s kid utilizes the convenience of his Bunk Organizer in his closet. And Keisha uses hers inside her mudroom closet. She keeps her stock of assorted detergents and cleaners in the organizer’s 16 pockets.

Perfect at summer camp, the Bunk Organizer is a great place for kids to keep their books, flashlights, bug spray, sunscreen, watch, toiletries, sandals—anything you want to keep nearby and easily-accessible, this amazing organizer can make it happen! “I definitely get why kids love it so much!” says Keisha. “Luka and I love ours.”

A 600D polyester unit, the Bunk Organizer measures 18”x34” and comes in a handful of cool colors and patterns for you to choose from. Very cool and very convenient, the Bunk Organizer is always a great addition to your household. Take a cue from Keisha and get a Bunk Organizer for your home. HECK—get TWO! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John