Hello, Everybody!

Do you cherish your hot chocolate? Do you crave your cocoa? Well, 'tis not only the season but it’s also the day to be drinking that chocolaty favorite that was made for a frigid winter day. That’s right, it’s National Hot Cocoa Day. Go make yourself a cup and come back here so you can appreciate this hot, wintry beverage while learning about it. Continue reading when your hot chocolate is ready…

So here’s a little history of hot chocolate:

First of all, if it wasn’t for monkeys, you and I might never have tasted such a fantastic drink! What do monkeys have to do with hot chocolate? Well, people didn’t start eating chocolate until we noticed our less-evolved predecessors doing it. What happened when people first saw monkeys eating the white pulp within the cocoa pods? Well, monkey see, monkey do.

The Mayans were the first people to try it out, eating the pulp and spitting the bitter beans out like the monkeys did. After some time, however, the Mayans realized the cocoa beans weren’t so bad after roasting in the sun for a while. The Mayans would soon come to ground the cocoa beans and turn the grounds into a drink. And VOILA—the world’s first hot chocolate.

The hot chocolate that you’re enjoying right now is nothing like the original Mayan cocoa drink. If you were drinking the original, Mayan cocoa drink, you probably wouldn’t like it very much. It used to be a spicy, bitter drink. Despite what we might think of it, the Mayans couldn’t get enough of it. Cocoa beans actually became more valuable than gold was in the Mayan culture!

The Mayans shared their drink with Aztec traders who were eventually conquered by Hernan Cortes and his Spanish army. Cortes took cocoa beans back to Spain with him and it eventually became a treat that the whole world loves. So as you sit there, finishing up the last of your hot cocoa, smile and be thankful for monkeys.

- John

Hey there, Parents!

The holidays are here—time to celebrate with family, song, and, of course, every kid’s favorite part—PRESENTS!!! Do you know what you’re getting your kid this year? If not, Everything Summer Camp has the perfect gift idea. Why not give your kid the gift of camp?

Summer camp for Christmas! Of course! It’s so simple! If your kids love summer camp as much as every other kid, then it’s sure to make a great gift for them. It’s no secret that summer camp does wonders for kids. What other event is there that helps kids to stay active while increasing their independence, reuniting them with nature, helping them make friends, and giving them the much-needed free time that they need simply to play and goof around?

There’s nothing else like it out there for your kids. And in today’s structured, plugged-in world, it’s absolutely essential that kids have the time they need to get into the great outdoors and witness the beauty of the natural world around them.

I know what you’re thinking: summer camp! Great gift idea! But how in the world am I going to wrap that gift and stick it under the tree? This is a dilemma worth some good consideration. But, don’t worry! I’ve got a great solution for this little problem.

How do you give an intangible gift like summer camp to your kid for Christmas? Wrap up something they’ll need for camp. Maybe your kid needs a camp trunk! Or, if not, wrap up a sweatshirt with a camp logo or maybe a Life of Camp T-shirt from Everything Summer Camp’s very own line of tees. Then, when your kid looks at you funny, you can break the news on the real gift to them and see their face light up.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Welcome once again, Readers!

This time of year is important to let our close, loved ones know that we’ve been thinking about them. For whatever reason, showing this gesture isn’t always the easiest. The person you’re thinking of may not be a very easy person to shop for. Or maybe you just don’t know well enough what that person might like this year.

In certain situations like these, gift certificates are a nice gesture—especially a gift certificate to a cool, fun place like Everything Summer Camp. A gift certificate to the right place can end up being a great gift! With a little direction and a nice sum of money to work with, what more could a kid want in a gift?

*AHEM* How about a free book on summer camp?

Did someone say something about a free book on summer camp? Well, you’re in luck because with every purchase of a $50 gift certificate (or more), Everything Summer Camp is including The Summer Camp Handbook, written by Christopher Thurber and Jon Malinowski. Get a gift. Give a gift!

The Summer Camp Handbook helps you get the most you can out of summer camp! This book will help you find, choose, and get ready for camp. It’s not so much a catalog of camps, but more so a guidebook on how to select the best camp for your camper so you can be sure that they’ll have a great summer camp experience.

By covering a broad range of topics like camp selection, homesickness prevention, and what the point in going to an overnight camp is in the first place, this book helps both parents and their kids get prepared for camp physically, and emotionally. This is the book that all parents considering overnight camp should have.

Happy Holidays!

Hey, Stocking Stuffers!

Know what you’re going to stuff in your kid’s stocking this year? Everything Summer Camp has what you need to really load up that piece of traditional footwear that your kid hangs by the chimney with care. You shouldn’t have to spend too much money stuffing that stocking either—we’re keeping our prices low. Choose carefully; we have a lot of fun stuff!

 We’ve divvied up our stocking stuffer products by price into four categories. We have stocking stuffers under $5, under $10, under $15, and under $20. Friendly prices, aren’t they? Well, it gets even better than that! Everything Summer Camp is having a sale on all of our stocking stuffer items this year. Every product from each category will be 20% off!

 Let’s take a look at the cheapest stuff first!

Maybe you’re thinking, “What could they possibly have that costs less than five bucks?” But it’s actually a sizable category with some really cool items. Get your kid a nice bath robe, a fun deck of cards, a loud megaphone, or a quality sketch pad for a budding artist! There are nearly 50 great finds in this category!

But that’s just the tip of the Stocking Stuffer iceberg! In our category under $10, we have roughly 100 products! Peruse this category to find awesome items like a fleece blanket, plush animals, water bottles, and a warm, cotton long sleeve tee.

Our third category is comparable to the previous category as far as size is concerned. In this category you’ll find cool products like binoculars, the Glide N’ Go Tray, and a wide assortment of trunk accessories like sport decals and glow-in-the-dark stars!

Lastly, our most expensive category of another 50 items is full of bargain on top of bargain! You’ll find yourself eyeing up deals for a fleece sleeping bag from Texsport, the amazingly portable Everywhere Camp Chair from Crazy Creek, as well as our luggage labels which we call, Tag Its.

Now stuff those stockings!

Hey there, Blog Buddies!

Being active in helping out your community is a great thing to do. Not only does volunteer work do wonders for a community but it makes you feel good too. That’s why Everything Summer Camp is more than happy to carry the message out to all of our Blog readers that today is International Volunteer Day.

In 1985, the United Nations declared December 5 as International Volunteer Day. International days of observance are intended to increase the awareness and understanding of the day’s focal point. Today provides a chance for volunteers—whether they’re working on an individual level or in a group organization capacity—to bring their volunteering contributions to light.

Marked by many non-government run organizations like Red Cross and scouts, International Volunteer Day is supported by all sorts of individuals and groups as well as volunteers of the United Nations.

Volunteerism plays a significant role in any community, culture, and religion. It helps to improve the world, the people who live in it, and you! What does volunteer work do for the volunteers? It brings them closer to their community and gives them a great sense of belonging. Playing a role in your community brings you and the community you live in together.

So what can you do to play a part in volunteer work that helps your community? Find out what other people are doing. December 5 almost always has some sort of rally, parade, or volunteer fair where you can find something to do for your community. There’s always something to do. From group clean ups to fundraising to workshops and giving blood, volunteer work is plentiful in everyone’s community.

To put a slight spin of JFK’s old—yet well-remembered words—ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community.