Hey, Camp Folks!

We’re continuing ahead with our trove of enthralling tales from summer camp as we delve into the abundant stories we received from campers for our annual 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest here at Everything Summer Camp! We're publishing each submission individually, right here on our Blog and today, we're delighted to introduce Talia K., who filled us in on her exciting summer journey at Camp Timber Tops this past summer. The adventure kicks off right now:

“I remember hearing the word “Banquet” for the first time at Timber Tops, a mountain camp for girls, I didn't know what it was. I was so confused, for 2 WHOLE weeks I was thinking to myself what's banquet, and why is everyone so excited?

So finally I asked my counselor, and she told me all about it! (I remembered how my jaw almost dropped in excitement). Basically, banquets where the 9th graders at camp throw a huge party for the CAs and it can be any theme, you just all have to agree on it!

Every bunk is named after a tree, mine was called spruce, my sister’s was juniper, and my friend’s was Palm court. Last year the CA’s bunk was called Salix, and the theme for the banquet was Salix’s story book. So this year’s banquet theme was going to be Torreye’s something. I couldn’t wait! Finally, the day of the banquet had come, we had to eat outside because the 9th graders were decorating the dining hall. At shower time everyone started getting super excited and everyone in my bunk (including me) tried to guess the theme. I had guessed Torreye’s toy story. One girl guessed Torreye takes a trip! I couldn’t wait! As soon as it was time for dinner, all of the bunks lined up outside of the dining hall. The 9th grade stood in 2 lines at the front of the dining hall, as they called the bunks, I got ready to race up the stairs into a new world of decorations, food, and balloons! And then I heard the head staff announce “bunk spruce you can go inside.” I stepped through a black curtain and looked around me, I couldn’t believe that this was the dining hall! I sat down and looked at the menu. It was all Inside out inspired food and Inside out decorations.

Banquet was a very important day for me because it was a party representing the CAs moving on and being counselors next year. The CAs also showed me the camp's most important features, they also were always kind to all the campers, and I can't believe that in 4 years I will also experience the sadness of having my last year of camp.”

Hi, Talia! I guess those guys at Camp Timber Tops really know how to have a good time! I’m sure you, your bunkmates of Bunk Spruce, the CA’s, and everyone else in attendance enjoyed an unforgettable time at the Inside-Out Banquet! Savor those next four summers, Talia. Perhaps you’ll continue at Timber Tops as a counselor. Thanks for writing in to us!

Are you looking to party it up, Camp Timber Tops style like in Talia’s story? Take a closer look at Timber Tops when you click right here! Thanks for reading, Everyone! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Eager Shoppers!

Black Friday may not be here just yet…BUT OUR SALES ARE!!! Today officially marks the start of our Black Friday Sale for 2023 and we’re kicking things off with a bang! Roll up your sleeves; the wait for sales at Everything Summer Camp is over!

The Breakdown

So what’s our sale look like this year? Take some time with this Blog post to take in some of the highlights and things to look for through the duration of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale from now until December 3.

Trunk Discounts

First up, we’re taking $30 off the regular prices of our main three traditional steel camp trunk sizes—the Happy Camper, the UnderGrad, and the Graduate. We’re also subtracting $30 from our Designer Trunks as well as our National Parks camp trunk collection. And we’ve also shaved $25 off of our soft trunk alternative: the Pop Up Soft Trunk!

Trunk Accessory Discounts

Furthermore, our Trunk Accessories have been discounted! Our Wheel Away System has dropped from $29.99 to $24.99. Get the LidMate for $33.99 instead of $39.99. Packing Cubes dropped from $9.99 to $7.99. Instead of $69.99, top your trunk with our LidSkinz for $54.99. Our Trunk Liner has gone down from $22.99 to $17.99. The Snap On Duffel went from $49.99 to $39.99. Get a Basic Nameplate for $10.99 instead of $14.99. And, lastly, we’re offering our Shipping Bag for just $17.99, down from $24.99.

Discounts on Assorted Camping Gear

It will be impossible to shop our site and not see any discounts. We’re taking 20% off across the board for all our different Name Labeling options—15% off on Personalized Gear. Find sales on our Cabin Comfort Bedding products like the Egg Crate Mattress, Twin & Cot Sheets, Sweatshirt Blankets, and more. Pick up stationery products on sale like our ESC Camp Stationery Set or the ESC Camp Greeting Card Pack. A number of our Laundry Bags have slashed prices. You can find Sleeping Bags for great prices from great brands like Kelty, Wenzel, Sierra Designs, and Marmot. Check out other departments of gear to find great discounts like Toiletry Bags, Crazy Creek Chairs, Water Bottles, and Camp Games!

Deal of the Day

Next up, we’re doing our Deal of the Day discounts in which we highlight a new product that each day all throughout the sale. Keep coming back each day to find out what the deal is or follow us on Facebook to ensure you don’t miss a single deal! You’re going to see some gear discounted to under half its regular price—some gear you’ll find for as little as a quarter of the regular price! Today we have the Wenzel Hayward Sleeping Bag 40°, regularly priced at $54.99, seen today at a staggering sale price of just $19.99!

In addition to the Deal of the Day element of this sale, days to come will uncover even more sales. Watch out for the prices on select products to drop from big brand names like Smartwool, Rumpl, Under Armour, ENO, Marmot, KEEN, Kelty Hyrdro Flask, and more! As mentioned above, the last day of this sale is on December 3—but don’t dally! Our discounts are only effective as supplies last. So start right now! We hope you enjoy your Black Friday shopping with all the thrilling discounts you’ll encounter here on our site. Thanks for reading and Happy Shopping!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

We've been sharing your camp stories since September but—don’t worry—there’s a treasure trove of captivating tales as we dive deeper into our collection of entries into our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp! Join us on our Blog as we publish each submission individually. Today, we’ll hear from Gigi S., who is about to take you on an exciting journey through her unforgettable summer escapade at Camp Highlander. The adventure begins now:

“My name is Gigi, and I’m 12 years old, and went to Camp Highlander this summer. I had a wonderful camp experience, like when I went on a thing called “the swing”—part of a really high ropes course that they call Crow’s Nest. The swing is on a platform that would be higher than a typical house, and usually people jump off, but I sat too close to the edge, so the weight of the swing pulled me off! I also did a thing they call Color War. The teams were red & black (Red Dragons) and blue & white (Blue Knights). When I found out that I was a Red Dragon, I was so excited! I ran to my team and gave them high fives. I also liked riflery, arts & crafts and all of the other fun activities they had there. And loved all the new friends I made. I had an amazing time at camp, and can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Hey, Gigi! That’s great to hear that your summer camp stay was so much fun this year. Summer camp is all about making friends and having fun so I’m glad you had your share of both! Pretty funny surprise that the Crow’s Nest gave you! Sounds like you and the rest of the Red Dragons had fun in the Color War! And it’s great that you enjoyed the rest of the fun curriculum they have at Camp Highlander! Thanks for writing in to us, Gigi!

Do you want to try the fun times at Camp Highlander like Gigi? Take a closer look when you click right here! Thanks for reading, Everyone! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Lovers!

We've got a bunch more stories in store from the Everything Summer Camp 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest! We're presenting each submission individually on our Blog, one by one. Next up, we have Emma P., sharing her thrilling summer journey at Independent Lake Camp. Keep reading—her camp adventure starts right now:

“I really love acro and gymnastics, and was so excited to go away to Camp for the first time this year. Independent Lake Camp has a giant flying trapeeze right next to the lake and soon as I saw the camp video, I couldn’t wait to try it.

When I went to the first time camper picnic in June, I finally had my chance. Except when I started to go up the ladder, I realized how high in the sky it was. I just couldn’t do it, even though I wanted to more than anything. Then when I arrived at camp in August, I chose aerial adventures as one of my 3 primes. I learned to do all sorts of obstacle courses up high and they started to feel pretty easy.

So then, at the end of my first week at camp, I decided to try the trapeeze again. I made so many great friends in my bunk who were there to cheer me on and, even though it still felt really up in the air, I did it!

I can’t wait to go back next year and I might even join the trapeze fly team.”

Hi, Emma! Nice job achieving your first summer camp experience. Heights certainly have their way of creating fun, yet frightening situations, don’t they? I watched the Independent Lake video too just to see how high this trapeeze ladder went. You weren’t lyin’! That thing just keeps going up! Bravo on giving it another try at the end of your week at camp. Good luck on the Fly Team if you join and thanks for sharing your story with us, Emma.

Do you want to try out the giant trapeeze like Emma did? Take a closer look at Independent Lake Camp when you click right here Check out their camp video below as well. Thanks for reading, Everyone! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

ILC Circus Department from Independent Lake on Vimeo.

Unless you’re attending a computer camp, summer camp is all about disengaging with the virtual world, getting out, and touching grass. Screens seem to be an increasingly present part of our everyday lives, but it’s in today's digital age that it’s more important than ever before to reserve some time so we can step back and encourage screen-free activities.

Don’t get too cozy with those screens. Whether it's for fun, education, work, or communication, spending too much time staring at screens can contribute to unwanted effects. Excessive screen time is often associated with an inactive lifestyle. Sooner or later, a life of continuous inactivity will lead to health problems of varying sorts including physical health problems, mental health challenges, impeded social skills, and more. 

Promoting Screen-Free Activities

Be sure to carry on the extremely important lifestyle you learned at summer camp outside the camp season. Let’s talk about the importance of reducing screen time and go over some tips for screen-free activities that promote creativity and outdoor play.

Create Tech-Free Zones: Designate certain areas in your home, such as the dining room or bedrooms, as tech-free zones where screens are not allowed. This encourages family members to interact without distractions.

Set Screen Time Limits: Implement daily or weekly screen time limits for both children and adults. Ensure that screen time doesn't interfere with other essential activities like homework, chores, or outdoor play.

Explore the Outdoors: Encourage outdoor activities like hiking, biking, gardening, or simply playing in the park. Nature provides an excellent backdrop for creativity and physical activity.

Arts and Crafts: Promote artistic expression through activities like painting, drawing, or crafting. These hands-on endeavors stimulate creativity and provide a break from screens.

Reading Time: Encourage reading as a screen-free alternative. Visit the local library, pick out books together, and set aside quiet reading time each day.

Family Game Nights: Rediscover the joy of board games, card games, or puzzles during family game nights. These activities foster social interaction and strategic thinking.

Cook and Bake Together: Involve children in the kitchen to prepare meals and snacks. Cooking together not only teaches valuable life skills but also provides an opportunity for bonding.

Music and Dance: Explore the world of music by introducing children to various instruments or dance styles. Creative expression through music and dance is both fun and enriching.

Volunteer as a Family: Engage in community service or volunteer work as a family. It's a meaningful way to spend time together while making a positive impact on others.

Mindfulness and Meditation: Teach mindfulness and meditation techniques to help children and adults relax, de-stress, and become more self-aware.

Benefits of a Digital Detox

Reducing screen time and incorporating screen-free activities into your family's routine can lead to several positive outcomes:

Improved Physical Health: Increased physical activity from outdoor play and reduced screen time can help combat health issues associated with sedentary behavior.

Enhanced Creativity: Engaging in hands-on activities like arts, crafts, and reading fosters creativity and problem-solving skills.

Stronger Relationships: Quality time spent together without screens can strengthen family bonds and improve social skills.

Better Sleep: Limiting screen time before bedtime can lead to better sleep quality and overall well-being.

Stress Reduction: Mindfulness and outdoor activities provide opportunities for relaxation and stress relief.

Of course technology has brought about incredible advancements and conveniences, excessive screen time can have adverse effects on physical health, mental well-being, and creativity. But by prioritizing your activities and finding a healthy balance between screen time and real-life experiences, we can ensure a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle for everyone. Thanks for reading, Camp Fans. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John