Happy Physical Fitness Day!

Summer camp means time for fun! Most camps offer a plethora of well-rounded sports and physical activities ranging from tennis to rock climbing! Such an active itinerary will require good footwork, coordination, along with upper and lower body strength. With so many exciting physical activities on the schedule, it's important for campers to be physically prepared. Read this post to understand the importance of physical fitness behind the fun and games.

Let’s find ourselves a random daily schedule for an average summer camper. We’ll pick……Ashley.

 

Camp Schedule

Morning Hike
After a delicious breakfast, Ashley is off to begin her day with a morning hike. There isn’t a much better activity to start the day than a walk through nature. Trails can vary greatly on how challenging they are. Depending on the intensity, Ashley may want to warm up with light exercises like jumping jacks or squats.

Basketball
Once she’s back from her morning hike, the Sports Counselor quickly splits the girls into teams and a game of basketball begins. Before heading to camp, campers should work on their speed and agility by incorporating exercises like sprints, ladder drills, and cone drills into their workout routine.

Swim
After lunch is Swim time! It’s important to be prepared for long hours in the pool. Before heading to camp, campers should work on their endurance, upper body strength, and breathing techniques.

The rest of Ashley’s day is filled with dinner, enjoying a campfire, and playing a card game with some friends before bed. She enjoyed the rest of her day at camp without any cramping muscles or other repercussions from the physical activities she took part in throughout the day.

 

Before Camp

Here are some things you can do before summer camp starts in order to get your body in shape for the coordination and endurance you’ll need to enjoy those jam-packed summer days like Ashley!

Light Exercises
Focus on exercises like running, jumping jacks, and burpees. You can improve your coordination by performing regular exercises like jumping rope and playing catch with a friend.

Incorporate other exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and lunges to build upper body strength. Additionally, campers can work on their breathing techniques by practicing holding their breath underwater and exhaling slowly when coming up for air.

Stretch Afterward
Just like you want to warm up with some light exercises before engaging in physical activities, you want to take some time to do some stretches after your activities.

Stretching out your muscles helps prevent soreness and injury. Stretching is also important for flexibility—an important part of physical performance. Try stretching exercises like toe touches, lunges, and arm circles.

 

Make sure that you’re physically prepared for all the activities on the schedule for your summer camp stay. Following these tips, your camper is sure to have a fun and safe time this summer. Thanks for reading, Camp Folks! And, as always, Happy Camping!

 

- John

Camping Gear for Kids to Rock Their Next Camping Trip

Summer camp is just around the corner and it's time to start packing! But with so many activities and potential weather conditions to consider, it can be overwhelming to figure out all the different gear you ought to pack for your camper. Don't worry—this is our time to shine! We've got you covered with this comprehensive guide on camping gear for kids you need to pack for your child’s summer adventure.

 

What Camping Gear for Kids Should I Pack for Summer Camp?

Tackling camp prep can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Make it easier by breaking things down into clear, manageable categories. First up: Apparel. From durable shirts to weather-ready outerwear, we’ll show you the must-haves to keep your camper comfortable and stylish all summer long. Let’s get started!

Camp Clothing

Clothing is an obvious starting point. Make sure to consider athletic apparel for specific activities in which your camper will be participating. Also include casual clothes for daytime and comfortable clothing for the night that will be appropriate for the climate of your camp. 

Daily
Most camps provide a packing list that include a count for shirts, shorts, pants, and hoodies, but it's important to pack enough for the duration of your stay. Consider packing 1.5 times the number of days between laundry services to ensure you have enough clean clothes.

Socks & Underwear
Remember to pack extra socks, underwear, and bras as well since campers can go through more than one pair in a day, especially if they go swimming. Bring socks for hiking too! Merino wool socks are naturally antibacterial, resist odor, and wick moisture away. Kids at camp just might grab the SAME pair of socks from yesterday, but socks from Smartwool don’t need to be washed after each use.

Other Articles
When it comes to less everyday clothing, you'll want to bring a waterproof raincoat or hooded poncho for those sudden summer showers. And if you plan on spending time in the water, quick-drying swimwear is a must. Bathrobes are also a more comfortable option than a wrapped towel when walking back from the bathhouse.

Camping Gear for Kids

Make sure to pack all the essentials for the activities your camper is most excited about—whether it’s a fishing pole and tackle box, a musical instrument, or something else entirely. To get started, here are the top three must-haves for every kid’s camping gear list!

Backpack 
You definitely want to send your child off to camp with a reliable backpack so they're equipped for adventure. Imagine your camper confidently pulling out their binoculars to spot wildlife in the distance or their mess kit to dig in on lunch. A good backpack keeps these essentials safe, organized, and within reach.

Laundry Bags
Laundry bags are not always required by summer camps, but they are certainly helpful. It's best to purchase one that is roomy enough to accommodate a week's worth of clothes and features a drawstring closure so odors don’t escape. Labeling the bag with your camper's name is essential, just like everything else. If feasible, try to wash the laundry bag along with the rest of your camper's clothes on laundry day for optimal cleanliness.

Flashlights
Pack a reliable source that can handle the rigors of camp life. A durable and bright LED flashlight with a minimum of 25 lumens is a must-have for any camper. Be sure to pack extra alkaline batteries just in case. For those who prefer hands-free lighting, a headlamp is a great option. Just make sure it's bright enough to light the way on a moonless night.

Water Bottles
A sturdy and reliable water bottle is a must for your camper’s hydration at camp. Look for bottles made from durable, BPA-free plastic or stainless steel that can be completely sealed when the top is screwed on. Avoid big plastic cups with built-in straws, as they tend to leak and spill, making them unsuitable for outdoor activities like hiking. A high-quality water bottle should be able to withstand any successive drops and rolls.

Hiking, Riding, Waterproof...Footwear for All

Your child will likely be participating in activities at camp like hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and more. Having the appropriate footwear can help prevent injuries and ensure that your child is comfortable throughout their activities. Proper footwear can make all the difference in your child's summer camp experience, so take the time to make sure they have what they need.

Boots
Does your camper need a pair of rainboots? What about boots for hiking or horseback riding? Be sure to pack the right kind of boots for the outdoor activities your camper plans to enjoy.

Shoes
Make sure to pack proper tennis shoes for your camper’s camp activities as well. We have excellent footwear that offer great functionality for sports performance while also bringing comfort and style.

Sandals
Sandals are iconic for summertime! Hiking or playing sports in a pair of rubber or cork sandals can lead to crushed toes, broken toenails, and twisted ankles. But at Everything Summer Camp, we offer closed-toe, protective sandals with high traction to meet the needs for safety on summer camp terrain. A pair of quick-drying shower shoes for shower cleanliness and easy traction around the poolside is a smart purchase as well.

 

Headgear

Summer fun is full of bugs, sun, sweat, and splashing it up in a pool or lake. Keep the elements out of your eyes and face with some helpful headgear. We have a plethora of accessories and options.

Bandanas, Headbands, and Hats
These pieces are helpful to keep hair and sweat out of your face. Not to mention, hats offer the advantage of keeping ticks off your head.

Sunglasses
The summer sun is blindingly beautiful—make sure your camper is equipped to properly shield their eyes with a cool pair of sunglasses! A good pair blocks 100% of UV rays. The best are also polarized to reduce glare.

Swim Goggles
Goggles are useful during swim lessons—especially when you’re trying new skills that involve putting your face in the water or actually swimming underwater. If your camper is planning on spending a lot of time in the water, a good pair of swim goggles are absolutely essential to protect their eyes from pool chemicals, prevent irritation, and aid their vision.

 

Cozy Cot Bedding for Your Child's Bunk

Bedding is a top priority in camping gear for kids. Sound nights of sleep are especially important away from home. Your camp’s information packet should give you a good idea of what kind of bedding you need to bring whether it’s nothing at all (if the camp is supplying all the sheets, blankets, and pillows) or everything (if the camp supplies only a cot, bed, platform, or bare earth).

Covers
Bring a flat cotton sheet for those sweltering summer nights. Even if your camp says you only need a sleeping bag, a soft fitted sheet can make a plastic mattress cover much more comfortable. If the camp provides mattresses, a fitted sheet will make for a much more comfortable sleeping surface than a sleeping bag. Don't forget that many camp mattresses come in odd sizes, so be sure to check the measurements before you buy your bedding. With the right sheets, you can make your camper’s bed feel just like home!

 

Accessories
You can add a layer of cushioning to your camper’s bunk with an inexpensive foam bedroll. We offer an egg-crate mattress pad made of memory foam. It’s also a good idea to bring some pillows. Even if the camp supplies pillows, you still may want to bring your own. Remember to pack at least two pillow cases so you can use one while the other is in the laundry!

Sleeping Bags
When it comes to sleeping bags, comfort and warmth are the two key factors to consider. Firstly, make sure you choose a bag that fits you well, so you're not tossing and turning all night. Secondly, think about the conditions you'll be camping in and choose a bag with an appropriate warmth rating. For most summer camps, a bag rated for arctic temperatures is not necessary and can be uncomfortable in hot and humid weather. However, if you plan on backpacking or camping in colder weather, it's best to consult with the camp or a gear expert to ensure you have the right bag for your needs.

 

Toiletries to Pack Along

Just like the rest the camping gear for kids you need, we have toothbrush covers, travel cups, camp mirrors, first-aid kits and plenty more travel toiletries you may need for your adventures—perfect for kids going to summer camp, or anyone with plans to travel. Make sure to pack any medication your child will need during their time away as well!

Towels
We have an assortment of bath towels, beach towels, and washcloths. Find several different styles and materials to meet your needs for camp this summer. With different patterns and colors to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find something to help your camper feel more at home while they’re away at camp.

Essentials
Here we have a bunch of small items. Grab them all right here and get them crossed off the list! Essentials for summer camp range from sun and bug protection to soap, nail clippers to deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste to lip balm, hair care and body wash products to shaving razors.

Toiletry Bags
We know how important it is to keep all these smaller items in the same spot with one of our many toiletry bags! Find organizer kits, caddies, totes, and more all right here!

 

Miscellaneous Camping Gear for Kids

Of course, there’s lots of random camping gear for kids to bring along as well. If your child wears glasses, for instance, it’s a good idea to include an eyeglass repair kit. Here are a few other good ideas to pack along:

Journals
Writing things down is an extremely useful means of cementing events as they come to pass. All of the people you meet, skills you learn, and things you do—it’s great to review all of those new experiences you’ve had in the form of written word in order to help process and reflect on what you’ve learned.

Games
We have a lot of other fun items that you might consider taking along as well—depending on your interests. We have books for quiet time, classic games, playing cards, and so much more for your entertainment.

Stationery
To ensure some correspondence from camp, many parents buy pre-stamped postcards or envelopes at the post office and address them ahead of time to home, grandparents, and important friends. We offer awesome stationery products your camper will love to use!

 

Last Item—The List of Camping Gear Itself

The final item to pack is your packing list itself! It’s a good idea to attach your packing list to the inside lid (if you have a camp trunk) or some visible spot in your container. Keeping your packing list around will make it easier to ensure that everything that went to camp is coming back.

One last note—don’t forget to include your child in the packing process! It’s important for kids to feel as though they have a certain amount of control throughout the different processes of camp prep! Be sure to involve them with packing so they know how to operate all the camp gear they’re bringing and know where everything is.

Help your camper get the most out of their summer camp experience by making sure their packed with all the right stuff. As always, thanks for reading. And, Happy Camping! 

 

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

We’re running a sale on our trunks here at Everything Summer Camp—the home of C&N Footlockers. From now through Sunday, we’re knocking $20 off all of our Traditional Steel Trunks as well as our cool and innovative Designer Trunks. Our trunks already plant trees, but throughout this sale, we’ll have TWO trees planted for each trunk sold instead of one.

An environment-inspired trunk sale that promotes our partnership with One Tree Planted? Are you feeling déjà vu? No. We actually just wrapped up our Earth Day sale last week in which we did the same thing, but this sale is now back in effect as we approach Arbor Day.

Named using the Latin word for tree, Arbor Day was first observed in Nebraska in 1872 to celebrate the importance of trees and their impact on our environment. Today, it is observed on different dates in different countries, but the message remains the same: planting trees is essential for the Earth.

Trees provide numerous benefits! They produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and provide habitats for wildlife. They also have a positive impact on our mental health. Did you know trees produce negative ions, which have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety? Negative ions are found in natural settings such as mountains, waterfalls, and forests, and can have a calming effect on our bodies and minds.

Celebrate Arbor Day by climbing a tree, appreciating their majesty, or putting one in the ground. And, if you're in the market for a camp trunk, remember that every purchase you make with Everything Summer Camp helps to make the world a better place, one (or two) trees at a time. Happy Arbor Day and, as always, thanks for reading!

 

- John

Do you dread the thought of rainy days when your camper’s out in the great outdoors during their summer camp stay? Fear not! frogg toggs has them covered, literally. Don’t let rainy days put a damper on the camp experience. With frogg toggs, they’ll stay dry and comfortable no matter what the weather throws your way. When it comes to staying dry in wet weather, this brand stands out from the rest.

Founded in 1996 in the wettest state in the country, Alabama, frogg toggs has been making waves in the rainwear industry for nearly 20 years. And it's no surprise why—their rainsuits are lightweight, wind and waterproof, incredibly breathable, and affordable.

We offer a nice assortment of rainwear from frogg toggs here at Everything Summer Camp like rain jackets and ponchos to keep your camper dry. Whether you're participating in outdoor sporting events or simply enjoying outdoor activities like camping and picnicking, frogg toggs is an excellent option!

What sets a brand name like frogg toggs apart from others is their commitment to quality and affordability. They believe that everyone should have access to high-quality rainwear without breaking the bank. And their products aren’t just functional, they’re stylish as well, with a variety of colors and designs to choose from.

Next time you're preparing for a wet adventure, consider frogg toggs for all your rainwear needs. Trust us, you won't regret it. Designed to keep your camper comfortable, even on the wettest days, get effective raingear from frog toggs. Their raingear is perfect for all your outdoor activities for your child’s summer camp stay.

You can check out all of our frogg toggs products available on the Everything Summer Camp online store by clicking right here. Thanks for reading, Camp Folks! And, as always, Happy Camping!

 

- John

Hello, Earthly People!

Today is Earth Day—a special day out of the year that reminds us to appreciate and protect the natural world we live in. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day has become an annual reminder of the importance of taking care of our home. At Everything Summer Camp, we’re proud to be part of the solution to environmental issues. In fact, we have recently partnered with One Tree Planted and arranged it that every time we sell a camp trunk, a tree gets planted.

Trees are essential to our environment. They purify the air we breathe, absorb harmful pollutants, and provide shelter for animals. In Blog posts past, we’ve discussed how trees produce negative ions, which have been shown to have a positive effect on our mood and health. Produced from the Earth’s negative charge, these charged molecules are naturally plentiful around trees, waterfalls, and ocean waves. They’ve been found to reduce stress and improve mood and focus.

In celebration of Earth Day, we’re running a sale on our trunks here at Everything Summer Camp—the home of C&N Footlockers. We’re knocking $20 off all of our Traditional Steel Camp Trunks as well as our cool and innovative Designer Trunks. This sale is going on right now and will continue on through Earth Day.

For an added bonus in these days leading up to Earth Day, we’re combining our trunk sale and our partnership with One Tree Planted and we’ve arranged to have two trees planted for every trunk sold throughout the duration of this sale!

By working together to take care of the Earth, we can make a difference. And by choosing to purchase an Everything Summer Camp trunk, you can help us plant trees and support a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Happy Earth Day! Thanks for reading, Camp Folks. And, as always, Happy Camping!

 

- John