Hey, Eager Shoppers!

Roll up your sleeves; the wait for Black Friday Sales is over as of today here at Everything Summer Camp! Our Black Friday sale arrived on the first of November and we’ve kicked things off with a bang this week. So Shoppers, start your engines. Check out what we have in store for you with our dumbfounding deals as I lay them out on today’s post and then get shoppin’!

So what’s our sale look like this year? Well—for starters—with each trunk purchase, we’re giving away a free trunk accessory of your choice from the Snap-On Duffel, a Trunk Liner, the Lidmate Organizer, or our Packing Cubes. Whichever accessory you add to your order first is the one that will register as free, so add your first accessory wisely!

If you make a mistake, however, simply remove the ‘wrong’ accessory from your order and the deal will be applied to the next accessory you have. Then add the other accessory back to your order.

Deal of the Day
We’re also reprising our Deal of the Day in which we have a new product that gets highlighted each day leading up to Cyber Monday, November 28. Come back each day of the sale to find out what the deal is or follow us on Facebook to ensure you don’t miss a single deal!

To start off on November 1, we took the price of our Bunk Organizer from $24.99 down to just $9.99. The Deal of the Day the next day was the Kids' Classic Clog from Northside now half the price, from $12.99 down to $6.99. The day after that, we took our Horizon 12oz Insulated Camp Mug from Camelbak down from $24.99 to $9.99. Yesterday we marked the Reversible Speedway Basketball Shorts down from $21.99 to $7.99. And today, find The Finals Foil Funnies Flutterback Swimsuit, regularly $39.99, at just $14.99.

On top of our free accessory with every trunk deal and our Deal of the Day, you can find hundreds of products on sale like Laundry Bags, Name Labels, select Wenzel Sleeping Bags, Stationery, Bedding, Water Bottles, and more! Discounts will last from now until December 18^th—but don’t dally! Our discounts are only effective as supplies last. So start right now! Hop on over to our online store and start loading up your cart! Thanks for reading and Happy Shopping!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

The camp stories we received for our ‘Share your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp were so great! It was a wonderful time reading through them all and now I’m excited to share them with all our followers on the Blog and post each submission right here on its own day!

After our ten lucky prize winners, I’ve moved on to the rest of your submissions. The following post is from Lindsey S. who wrote in to tell us about her daughter’s camp experience at Camp Longhorn. Here’s her submission:

“This was my daughters first time at camp. Neither my husband nor I went to sleep away camp as kids. Needless to say, we were all nervous the months leading up to camp. Once a month we did the Camp Longhorn merit questions together. That was fun because there were little details about the camp that made my daughter, Bobbi, excited about what to expect at camp. Once summer started, I knew it was time to start packing for camp. I had no clue how to pack a kid for a week at camp. My friend told me to start with ordering the trunk. Bobbi ended up asking Santa for her trunk and accessories. It was fun to have her pick out and personalize everything. As a mom, I wanted all of her things to coordinate, but she just wanted all kinds of different things. It seemed like every week we were thinking of something that I needed to order to make her stay comfortable. About a week before she left, we started compiling everything. She was very into helping me. She wanted each outfit in a different labeled Ziploc bag and everything to have a place.

The bus to camp came on a Sunday morning to the Target in our town. I knew she didn't know anyone at her camp location and I was excited for her to meet new people, but when the bus arrived and she did not know anyone and it seemed like everyone else had a familiar face to sit by, I felt terrible for her. I had tears in my eyes because I felt guilty for sending her away with no friends but she went on the bus with no tears. I remember checking the website constantly that evening checking to see if there were any pictures of her. I just wanted to see one smile.

Finally, I saw her laughing and smiling with her cabin. We picked her up after the week and she exhausted. When I unpacked her trunk—it was like she was only there for 3 days because most of her clothes were never touched.

The best thing I can say about the camp experience is this story. My daughter is very timid and does not like to try new things. We went to a waterpark the week after camp and she did not want to try anything. I asked her if she did scary things at camp and she said she did because she was having such a great time with her new friends. I knew that camp was the right decision after that. I think camp is important because it gets kids out of their comfort zone!”

Absolutely, Lindsey! As comfortable as our comfort zone may be, it won’t do much for personal growth. Sounds like Bobbi had a great time at camp if she was so distracted with having fun that she tried new, scary things! Here’s to many more fun summers for Bobbi and further steps outside her comfort zone!

For everyone else, you can give Camp Longhorn a closer look by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were delighted to see such a great response to our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp and now we’re eager to publish each one right here on the Blog! After our seven lucky winners, everyone else who submitted received a $20 gift certificate to our online store!

Today’s post is from Gianna B. who attended Camp Tapawingo in Maine. Check out her submission on why camp is so great!

“My best memory at camp It was my first year at a new camp and I was very nervous to meet my bunk, but when I got to my bunk immediately I got to know my bunkmates and they were all so nice to me. The next day we had our swim test and when I was getting tired my bunk mate motivated me into finishing it and later that day I was feeling home sick and my bunkmate comforted me and when my friend had to be sent home all my bunkmates comforted me. I actually have a few memories one being when I first got to know one of my best friends and when she got back from her 6 day trip and getting to spend time with her later that day. Another memory that will stay with me is when I got on a horse for the first time. And although I had to leave I will never forget my first year at Tapawingo.”

Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Gianna! I’m glad you found such a welcoming and comforting home away from home in Camp Tapawingo! How cool that you got to meet so many new people! What a great place Tapawingo must be! For everyone else, if it sounds like Tapawingo could be the right place for you, check it out for yourself by clicking here. As always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Your camp stories were great this year! It was lots of fun to read through them all and now I’m excited to share them with all our readers online! We’re posting each submission right here on the Blog! Since I’ve finished announcing our ten lucky winners who took larger prizes, I’ve moved on to everyone else who got a $20 gift certificate as a show of our appreciation.

The following post is from Garner F. who wrote in to share her summer experience while her sister attended Camp DeSoto for nearly a month. Here’s what she wrote:

“Hi! My name is Garner F. My sister, Anna F., attended Camp Desoto during the month of July. I missed her so much. During the weeks she was away, I learned some important lessons. One lesson I learned was what it was like to not have my sister around. She has been away for a week, but that is different than 3.5 – 4 weeks. This was a whole new experience for me and my family. While she was gone, I realized just how big a part of my life she is. I missed her funny jokes and hilarious remarks, her artwork everywhere, and, yes, even her comings and goings in and out of my room without my permission. I noticed that I missed the little things that she does that I’ve never really noticed before. Now, even though my family and I missed her so much, I had the opportunity to grow closer and spend extra time with my youngest sister, Dorothy. I am so thankful for that opportunity. It meant a lot to me and I think it meant a lot to her too. However, even though I grew closer with Dorothy, I stilled missed Anna a ton. I missed her sarcasm and sass. But her being away taught me that I should not take the time I have with her for granted. She is a very special part of my life, and I couldn’t wait to see her again. Finally, pickup day arrived. I eagerly walked into the camp and stood waiting and looking. Then I saw her. My sister. We ran and hugged each other. It was awesome. I missed her more than I thought I did. Getting to be there for pickup was great. I was so happy to see her and couldn’t wait to hear all about camp.”

What a sweet submission this is, Garner! We’ve heard from campers and their parents before but this is the first time we’ve gotten the perspective of a sibling’s account of a summer camp story. Our siblings are easy to take for granted—they’re always around…until they leave for somewhere. It’s nice that you saw her time away at summer camp as a lesson to appreciate her as well as an opportunity to bond a little better with your younger sister. Sounds like you’re fortunate to have such close siblings and likewise they’re fortunate to have you. Thanks for sharing, Garner.

If anybody else would like to give Camp DeSoto a closer look, take a peek when you click right here and, as always, thanks for reading. Happy Camping!

- John

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!

Since I’ve finished announcing our ten lucky winners who took larger prizes in September, I’ve moved on to the rest of your submissions. The following post is from Ava S. who wrote in to tell us about her summer stay at Camp Ozark. Check it out:

“Hi, I’m Ava I’m going to tell you about my awesome, and funny Camp Ozark experience.

SUNDAY: When I got off the bus I was SO excited to finally be at one of my favorite places besides the couch, Camp Ozark! It was my second year and I was was pumped. As we were heading to our cabin a girl walked up to me and said, “Hi I’m Harper!” I answered back “Ava nice to meet you.” Harper smiled and said “It’s my fist year here and I’m a little nervous but excited.” She raised an eyebrow “What year is it for you?” she exclaimed. “Second,” I said nicely, “And don’t be nervous, it’s really fun”. We got to our cabin, my trunk hadn’t come yet and I wasn’t worried because I had just gotten off the bus.

Before I knew it, Mish Mash had started! Mish Mash is a fun supervised free time where all things in camp are open. Harper and I had been talking and we needed to take our swim tests. One of our counselors Kate had come with us to watch us. We passed our swim tests in the FREEZING cold water. We went to the slides and had a super fun time. Then I saw a slide labeled “TOILET BOWL”. I said to Kate and Harper “We HAVE to go on that slide!” They agreed and we headed over there. Though I was nervous, the slide looked SO fun and I couldn’t resist. Kate and a few other kids from our cabin had already gone down when it was my turn. I didn’t have second thoughts, and the next thing I knew I was headed down the long tube. The water from the beginning had already blinded me so I tried to wipe my eyes but a big “BUMP” had stopped me. I started heading down the whirly part of the slide. Once I FINALLY got a chance to wipe my eyes, “SPLASH” into the cold water I went. As soon as my mouth kissed the surface the girls started talking and asking me questions. I couldn’t hear yet because of the water still draining out of my ear so I just nodded and said yes.

After dinner we went to our cabins to get ready for Theme Night, I started to get bit worried because, well my outfit for theme night was in my trunk. It was later and my trunk still hadn’t come yet. “No biggie I don’t have to wear a costume” I thought. So after theme night which was SO COOL we went to our cabin and my trunk STILL HAD NOT COME IN YET. Ok, so at this point I was PANICKED I asked my counselors if they had seen it, no from them, cabin mates, nope. I WAS IN A SWIMSUIT. Well I didn’t take shower that night. I WAS VERY COLD. I was fine though, (thankfully) 😅.

WEDNESDAY: Everything had gone by so fast, and the next thing I knew it was Wednesday. It was also TEAM COMPETITION TIME. I’m OSAGE the blue team I WAS a competitive swimmer and lucky for me the competition for that day was swimming. We CRUSHED the CADDO they were almost five people behind us. IT WAS SICK (In a good way).

THEME NIGHTS: The Theme Nights Are basically Camp Ozark’s let go, fun time, unique, nights. It is one of the things that make Camp Ozark, well, Camp Ozark. They’re different outfits for different theme nights, settings, and even costumes. For me since I’m a one week camper these are my theme nights One: State fair, Two: Planet Ozark, Three: Disney, Four: Red, White, and Blue Five: Totally Ozark Six: Disco Daze. Those are the theme nights that make Camp Ozark incomparable.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Mission Impossible sounds REALLY cool; right, well IT IS. Not everyone knows this but… mission impossible is ALWAYS on Disney night. You know why, well on Disney night we do our thing, and then we have a show on the lake. After our usual theme nights end its late, but with Disney, it’s still light out. Everyone goes to their cabins and then on the speaker they say “That’s right, everybody its Mission Impossible!!! We all get dressed and start. There is challenges that you have to do and the winning cabin gets a PIZZA PARTY!!!!!!!!

Well that’s all.

Sincerely,

Ava”

Hi, Ava. Thanks for writing in to us this year! I’m glad you had so much fun during your summer camp stay. Sorry your trunk didn’t make it to camp when you needed it. I guess your swimsuit WAS your costume for Theme Night. Anyway, it sounds like you had fun regardless. Sounds like Camp Ozark is a super cool camp. For anybody interested in Camp Ozark, take a closer look by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John