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A Sentimental Summer Stay

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Hey, Camp Fans!

We were happy to get the turnout that we did this year for our annual Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! Your camp stories were great! I had such a fun time reading through them and we’ve been having a blast publishing them here on the Blog to share them with all our readers online! We’re posting each submission with their own individual post right here on the Blog!

The following post is from Chase B. who wrote in to tell us about his summer stay at Camp Wise in Ohio. Check it out:

 

“My name is Chase and I am 9 years old. This was my first time at overnight camp. I was so homesick the first few days, but my supervisor did so many things to make me feel better. One of the best things was she took me to visit where my mom signed her name at the camp when she was a kid! Then, she let me write my own name next to hers so it was like we were together. I loved learning how to do archery and boating. I can't wait to go back again next year, and this time my little brother is coming with me!”

 

What a sweet gesture from your supervisor, Chase—taking you to the place where your mom signed her name at camp. That must have made you feel a lot better. I’m glad that you ended up enjoying your stay at summer camp after you got past your homesick feelings. Archery and boating are some pretty cool activities! I’m glad you had a good enough time that you want to return for next year! Camp Wise must be a really special place.

Give Camp Wise a closer look by clicking right here to see all the fun they have in store for their campers in summer seasons to come. And, as always, thanks for reading!

 

- John


A Gold Arrow Web in Record Time

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Hey, Camp Fans!

We received more than 50 entries for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp and I’ve been happily plugging away at publishing each one of them right here on the Blog to share with all our readers!

Today's camp story submission comes from Kerrington J., who wrote in to give her camp experience at Gold Arrow Camp in California. Check it out right now:

 

“My brother had been to camp for two years so when I finally got to go, I was so excited. I was so nervous to leave my parents and brothers for a week but I was greeted with big smiles and was ready to go. I had the absolute best time at Gold Arrow. I instantly became best friends with my cabin and we did so many fun things. I even broke the record for getting through the "spiderweb" for girls. I missed my family a lot but I can't wait to go to back to paddle board, make new friends, knee board and beat my own time at the spiderweb! I absolutely love Gold Arrow camp (and the food) and all the friends I made.”

 

That’s so cool, Kerrington! I’m glad you had such a fun time for your first year of summer camp. Way to go with the ‘spiderweb’. That’s awesome that you need to compete with your own time now next year (assuming that’s still the record). I’m glad the fun of summer camp outweighed your feelings of homesickness—what with the activities, friends, and good food! Next year sounds like it’s sure to be just as much fun. Thanks for sharing, Kerrington.

For anyone else interested in Gold Arrow Camp, check it out to see if it might be the right place for you by clicking right here. As always, thanks for reading!

 

- John


The Story Behind Personalizing Your Camp Trunk

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: labeling your gear is the number one rule of packing for camp. You have your name on everything else. Be sure to label your most expensive investment: your camp trunk! And why not go the extra mile to make a completely personalized statement with this permanent print exclusively for C&N trunks?!

One of our standout creations is our LidSkinz Trunk Accessory—a product that started as a simple idea and evolved into a stunning way to make your camp trunk uniquely yours. How did we come to make such a cool accessory for your camp trunk? Well, it was a long road to become the product it is now…

A LidSkinz Trunk Accessory makes a great method of trunk decorating.

The Journey of LidSkinz

This product began with a simple print on vinyl. We used to feed the vinyl printout through our laminate machine, applying a protective laminate covering. It required precision and skill to ensure the machine unrolled the laminate properly to apply it directly over the printout. There was next to no margin of error. Then, after the lamination, each LidSkinz was meticulously hand-cut with scissors!

As our methods advanced, so did LidSkinz. With the advent of our Designer Trunks—camp trunks that feature printed exteriors, LidSkinz were now printed directly onto the trunk's exterior metal, a shift that brought various results with different materials.

A great example of one of our camp trunks adorned with our C&N LidSkinz Trunk Accessory.

Initially, we printed on aluminum, which worked wonderfully. However, rising aluminum prices led us to explore alternatives. We experimented with hard plastic, which produced a matte effect, unlike the glossy finish our customers loved. Finally, we settled on steel, the same material as the rest of the trunk panels. This choice ensures consistency in appearance while maintaining the high-quality printing that characterizes LidSkinz.

The LidSkinz Trunk Accessory has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a vinyl print. In the end, this product isn't just another trunk accessory; it's an opportunity for campers to make a statement, showcase their creativity, and carry a piece of their identity with them to camp.

Enjoy creating a personalized top to your camp trunk. Check them out when you click right here and design your own. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

 

- John


The Origins of a Skeptical Saying

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Take everything you hear with a grain of salt.

Trading secrets and stories with your friends around a crackling campfire at summer camp the night before the camp talent show, someone leans in with a mischievous grin and shares a juicy piece of gossip. "I heard they're bringing in a world-famous magician for the show tomorrow night!" Your friends are excited from the news that night as you walk back to your cabin, but you wisely advise everyone to "Take that with a grain of salt."

We've all been in situations where we’re right to be skeptical and the phrase "take it with a grain of salt" comes in handy. It's a signal to approach information with caution, acknowledging that what we hear might not be accurate. It encourages you not to simply accept what you heard and hold back some reservation.

But have you ever wondered where this curious expression comes from?

Unveiling Its Origins

Just a pinch of salt for everything you hear.

Although "take it with a grain of salt" has been a common expression in the English language for centuries, its origins remain somewhat mysterious. Some linguistic historians trace it back to around 77 AD, attributing it to the Italian author and philosopher Pliny the Elder.

According to this theory, Pliny used the phrase while translating an antidote for poison from an ancient text. He mentioned, "be taken fasting, plus a grain of salt." This usage implied a cautionary approach to the antidote, advising not to place full faith in it.

Another theory suggests that the expression is relatively new, emerging in the 20th century. Interestingly, the phrase has undergone a minor variation in some parts of the world, with "take it with a pinch of salt" meaning essentially the same thing.

In either case, the essence of the phrase remains unchanged. "Take it with a grain of salt" is a timeless reminder that not everything we hear should be taken at face value. It encourages a thoughtful and cautious approach to information, reminding us that skepticism can be a valuable tool in navigating the sea of facts, rumors, and gossip that surround us.

So, the next time someone shares an incredible story or a mind-boggling fact, remember to take it with a grain of salt. After all, a little skepticism can go a long way in discerning truth from fiction, both around the campfire and in our everyday lives. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

 

- John

 


An 'Old Pro' Returns to Summer Camp

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What’s up, Camp Fans?!

We've been delighted with all the great camp stories you sent in for our 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest here at Everything Summer Camp. You outdid yourselves this year, campers! These stories are fantastic and I’m eager to share them with our online community! Each submission will be getting posted right here on the Blog!

I’ve finished announcing our ten lucky winners who took larger prizes and now we’re ready to share the rest of the submissions we received. The following post is from Brayden J. who wrote in to tell us his summer experience at Gold Arrow Camp. Check out his submission right here:

 

“Going into my second year at Gold Arrow Camp, I thought that I would be ‘an old pro’ and not be nervous. But I was wrong. Would my old friends be there, would I make new friends, would I still like it? All of these questions ran through my head. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot and saw my buddy from last year, I knew I would be fine. I saw many old friends, met so many new ones and had the time of my life. We knee boarded, drove motor boats, camped under the stars, did axe throwing and archery and danced away to 80s music. And that was just some of the great things we did. My counselors were the best. I told my parents as soon as they picked me up SIGN ME UP FOR NEXT YEAR!”

 

Hi, Brayden! I think it was totally normal for you to get a bit jittery about your camp stay this year—even if it wasn’t a totally new experience for you. Camp is a special time in your life that only comes around once a year. That’s great that your summer there was another success with lots of fun activities and great friends.

You can take a closer look at Gold Arrow Camp by visiting their website when you click right here. Maybe it will be where you’re heading in the next summer camp season. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

 

- John