Hey, Camp Enthusiasts!

When we first started this blog back in February, as an introduction I went over all the different topics we planned on posting about. Among a good handful of others, certain blog posts—such as this one—I’ll go into the intriguing details and stories of other companies with whom we do business.

On these posts, you’ll read all about companies who have become and still are essential to our country. Learn about the fun stories from companies like Columbia, 3 Cheers for Girls, and Crazy Creek—how their businesses got started and the success they’ve seen selling their particular products.

Today’s blog post concentrates on Kamik, a family-owned company based in Canada. Kamik has been successfully manufacturing and supplying footwear such as rain boots to Canada as well as the United States for over 100 years!

A lot has changed about the company since they first got their start in 1932—in fact, almost everything is different. They still make shoes, I guess. That’s about it. But in the midst of many modern companies shifting their business overseas, Kamik is still proud to be manufacturing their footwear with awesome success in North America.

Only several years after buying a footwear factory in Quebec, Mr. William Cook had to revamp the company’s products. They went from making old-fashioned women’s shoes to manufacturing modern footwear. This change ultimately saved the company from potentially closing its doors and losing the 200 jobs it provided.

Around the mid-forties, they were calling themselves General Footwear and in 1957, William Cook retired, leaving the company in the able hands of his son, Gordon.

Throughout the seventies, the company changed their name to Genfoot; and, though they wouldn’t really get to be known as Kamik until the nineties, they first started making footwear under the brand name Kamik which is the Inuit word for “foot covering”.

Not too long ago in 2003, Gordon Cook retired and his son Richard is now the president of the company. Kamik remains a thriving business that’s recently introduced a recyclable, PVC-free, synthetic rubber which keeps its flexibility and traction whether it’s a cold, wintry day or a summer camp scorcher.

As they say on their Web site, “We build footwear and clothing that let you embrace the elements and enjoy the outdoors in any weather.” So get into the Kamik spirit and enter the outdoors protected and ready!

Until next time, Readers! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Summer Campers!

Obviously you’re going to need a flashlight for your summer camp stay. How else are you going to light the trail on a late-night walk or tell spooky ghost stories to your friends?

If you want a really good flashlight, you should get the Hybrid Solar Flashlight. You will rave about it. Unlike any ordinary flashlight you’ve ever used, this triumph of human technology can hold a full charge for years!

The Hybrid Solar Flashlight

Have light working off the flashlight’s solar charge or off of its convenient, easy-to-change coin cells for your alternative to solar light. The flashlight recharges fast and retains its solar charge for a crazy long time so you should rarely have to rely on the actual coin cell batteries.

This thing will never leave you high and dry in the dark! Whether it receives its charge from the sun or from a light bulb, The Hybrid Solar Flashlight uses its revolutionary energy technology to recharge itself by means of either source! It’s extremely durable, it works under water, and it floats!

It’ll work great using it as a light for reading or writing, or pretty much as any general work light. It casts off an ample amount of usable light. And it’s smaller, brighter, and more lightweight than any other flashlight that can compare.

Don’t be fooled by its slender body and lightweight manner—the Hybrid was built to last whether your summer camp experience means kickin’ back to relax or actually roughin’ it in the great outdoors.

The best part about this flashlight is that it’s always charging if there’s light somewhere around it—it doesn’t need direct sunlight. The Hybrid will virtually charge in any room with a window, sitting near lamplight, or even while you’re telling ghost stories around the campfire.

Parents, the Hybrid Solar Flashlight is not only a great flashlight for camping but also as a general, around-the-house and emergency flashlight after camp is over. Get years and years and more years of use out of this incredibly convenient flashlight. Simply keep it on top of your refrigerator or somewhere with easy access to light and it will never lose charge!

Let’s hear it for the Hybrid Solar Flashlight! This thing is amazing! As always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!

- John

Hey there, Campers!

Last month we featured one of our summer camp celebrity blog posts about the lovely Anne Hathaway. We learned about her early aspirations to become a nun, about her fame by the young age of eighteen, and about her admiration for a favorite actress of hers, Meryl Streep.

Today I’ll be posting about a favorite actress of mine—not to mention, an accomplished musician! Who’s that girl? It’s the talented Zooey Deschanel. When she was a kid, Zooey went to summer camp at the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts.

Founded in 1970, French Woods is a performing arts summer camp owned by Ron Schaefer. The camp is located on a private lake called Sand Pond in the western area of the Catskill Mountains, just outside Hancock, New York.

If you have interest in the performing arts, French Woods is a camp for you to check out. They offer programs in dance, magic, visual arts, skateboarding, sport and horseback riding, and—oh yeah—technical theatre and music!—Ms. Deschanel’s two artistic passions in life.

Naturally gifted and graceful, Zooey’s reputation seems to point in the direction that as a child she enjoyed being a girly-girl. “I hate camping,” she’s said to have confessed. “But I love summer camp!”

Her interests in the performing arts and her influential summer camp experiences helped guide her along as she has paved the way for her own success.

One of her first roles, as a rebellious daughter, came around when she was 20 in the movie Almost Famous back when she was almost famous. She’s since gone on to play memorable roles in such films as Elf starring Will Ferrell, The Bridge to Terabithia, and (500) Days of Summer.

Extremely talented, Zooey knows more than just acting. She’s also musically inclined and knows how to play various percussion instruments, the banjo, the ukulele, and keyboard.

In 2006, she joined forces with master musician, Matt Ward, and together they released their debut album Volume One under the name She & Him. They have since released their follow-up album, Volume Two, as well as their very own Christmas collection, A Very She & Him Christmas.

Zooey has been nominated for a Golden Globe, a Grammy, and an Emmy Award as well. She is currently the star of the television sitcom New Girl on Fox.

All these talents she has now may have blossomed during her time at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts camp. Imagine what skills or talents might be nurtured in you when you go to camp! Till next time, readers. And, as always, thanks for reading!

John

As a Camp Director, I understand the value that parents are giving their children by allowing them a camp experience. As a father, I was a little nervous sending my child away to camp for the first time. My wife and I researched and found the right camp for our daughter and then it was time to help her make the transition to time away from home and prepare for camp. Here are some things that we did to help her prepare for an amazing camp experience.

Packing

Pack for camp with your child. You can start the process a week or two before camp. Packing for camp can be a great opportunity to discuss what camp will be like and how much fun they are going to have. It is also a way to develop decision making skills based on your child’s maturity level. When our daughter wanted to bring her new tennis shoes to camp, we could have just said no. Instead, we asked her questions, “What kind of activities will you wear the tennis shoes to?”  “Remember when we visited camp and you heard about the creek walk?  How do you think that will affect your shoes?” These questions allowed her to find the right decision. If your child feels a part of the decision-making process, his/her chances of having a positive experience will improve.

Packing Tips:

-          Remember that camp is a place for clothes to get dirty and sometimes lost. Thrift stores and garage sales are great for “new” camp clothes.

-          Pack clothes by day and include an extra day. (My wife puts them in sealable plastic bags with the day of the week on them)

-          Buy one new item that can only be used at camp. Pack this item first in anticipation of camp.

-          Sneak a note in their luggage telling them how much you love them and how excited you are for them to be at camp.

Talk about camp

As you are packing and getting ready for camp, make sure to talk about what it is going to be like. Ask questions like, “What do you think will be your favorite activity?” and “What do you think the food will be like?” When your child shares concerns about going away, encourage him or her to talk about these feelings, and let them know you have confidence in their ability to handle being away from home. Avoid sharing your concerns other than a typical response of, “I’m going to miss you too, but I am so excited for you.”

Camp is about development

Camp is an opportunity for your son or daughter to experience the world larger than they the one that is familiar. In addition to the fun and new experiences they will be having, they will be gaining self esteem, confidence, and learning about the outdoors. It is also an opportunity for your child and you to learn to be apart. Positive separation allows children to develop autonomy and a stronger sense of self, make new friends, develop new social skills, learn about teamwork, and more. This time also allows parents an opportunity to take care of themselves, so that they will feel refreshed when their child returns home.

As parents, we have the opportunity to work with camps to help raise our children to be creative, confident, successful adults.  Thanks for being a part of the camp community and have a great summer!

Kurt Podeszwa

Hey, Camp Preppers!

In your extensive mission of camp preparations, one item that can require ample attention and consideration is what sort of water bottle you’ll want. There are many different types with many different features, so today we’ll be discussing the latest water bottle we started carrying for the approaching summer season: The Avex Brazos Water Bottle.

The wonder about this bottle is that it’s one-handed—one-handed meaning that there isn’t a cap for you to take off or a spout that you have to open. It’s made for one-handed use so when you’re racing out of the other team’s territory in a ruthless game of Capture The Flag, you have their flag in one hand and drinking with the other is no problem!

It takes care of half the work for you!

How does this amazing wonder water bottle work its magic? It’s got a patented AUTOSEAL® lid with spill-and-leak-proof technology. You naturally press a big button on the Brazos’ rim when you hold to drink. The button opens a spout and releases a perfect stream of water.

Pour it in your mouth like a Nalgene or put it to your lips like bottled water, the Avex Brazos Water Bottle releases conveniently.

This 25 oz., BPA-free, Tritan™ bottle not only seals itself shut between sips but comes with a dirt guard as well so you can drink reassured that you’re getting clean water that’s protected from dirt and germs.

The Avex Brazos is made with measure markers on the side which are handy for knowing how much water you’ve had. It’s very important to stay hydrated during activities at summer camp. The bottle also has a built-in carabiner clip on the handle that you can attach to a laundry bag, backpack, duffel bag, you name it!

So as you can see, the Avex Brazos is one convenient canteen. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans.