Hey, Swim Fans! 

Few camp activities have amassed such popularity as that of Swimming. This sport is incredibly fun, loved by many, and epitomizes the summer season in a way no other activity can. Of course, many children enjoy a nice dip in a pool outside the camp season as well, but at camp they have the opportunity to compete and participate in water games and other activities that they typically won’t get to do. 

As I mentioned in a previous Blog post, plenty of campers learn to swim at summer camp, however, it can never hurt to encourage your child to at least learn some basics before camp begins. Their strength as a swimmer will advance more and more the sooner they start. Check out a few of the top swimmers in the world: 

Michael Phelps
Hard to get around, Michael Phelps has earned the title World Swimmer of the Year Award six times over as well as American Swimmer of the Year Award eight times. Throughout his career, he won 59 medals in major international competition, 50 gold, seven silver, and two bronze. 

Mark Spitz
Mark Andrew Spitz, also known as Mark The Shark, won seven gold medals in 1972 at the Munich Olympic Games—a record beaten only by Phelps. Over the course of five years, Spitz won nine Olympic golds, a silver, a bronze, five Pan American golds, 31 US Amateur Athletic Union titles, and eight US National Collegiate Athletic Association titles. He’s been named World Swimmer of the Year three different times and has set 33 world records! 

Krisztina Egerszegi
A former world record holding swimmer and one of the greatest Hungarian Olympic champions of the modern era, Krisztina Egerszegi is a three time Olympian as well as a five-time Olympic champion. She was also one of two individuals who ever won the same event at three consecutive Summer Olympics. 

Kristin Otto
Last, but not least, we have the German Olympic swimming champion Kristin Otto. She’s renowned as the first woman to win six gold medals in the 1988 Seoul Olympic games. At a 1983 international short course meet, she set the record as the first woman to swim the 100 meter backstroke in less than a minute. 

How good are you in the pool? Maybe you’ll go on to set a record or two yourself! Enjoy splashing around this summer season whether it’s a trip to the beach or fun right in your backyard! As always, thanks for reading and happy camping! 

- John

Howdy, Little Cowboys and Cowgirls. 

We love being able to offer some of the coolest and cutest products from iScream here at Everything Summer Camp. This place always has the most unique, colorful, and hilarious camp stuff that are great additions to your comfort collection like pillows, socks, robes, and plenty more! What else? Take a look at the Rhinestone Decal collection from iScream we have available here on our online shop. 

These colorful, shimmering stickers are safe on surfaces, constructed with a hard rhinestone face with an adhesive back that can be removed and reused in case you change your mind on where it goes. Personalize your world and let iScream help! We have a plethora of pretty, popping options to choose from. 

Starring a bunch of cute characters, you can pick from the Watermelon, Mermazing, Pandacorn, Pizza, Pinata, Rainbow and Clouds, Narwhal, Eye, Cactus-Cutie, Emoji Fries, Slice of Cake, Rainbow Poop, TV, and more. These Decals are available in a small size as well as a large with varying dimensions. Check out our available small options right here. Or browse the large options by clicking here. 

Bedeck your belongings with these beautiful gems on your clipboards, toiletry bags, notebooks, bedroom, and more. These Rhinestone Decal stickers from iScream are a great touch for decorating your things. Sparkling at subtly different angles for a mesmerizing show, these colorful decals are perfectly appealing to the eye and add a little bit of pop to your surroundings! 

iScream is synonymous with comfort. Get your lounge on with these awesome pillows, awesome socks, along with plenty of other cozy products from iScream here at Everything Summer Camp. Check out their entire selection we have available when you click right here. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks! Ready. Set. Rhinestone! 

- John

Hey, Camp Fans! 

We here at Everything Summer Camp are proud to work with nearly 300 summer camps across the nation! We’re their recommended camp outfitter and, in return, we love singing the praises of the many camps with whom we’ve developed a wonderful working relationship. That’s why today I’m shining our camp spotlight on the beautiful surroundings of Lake Maxinkuckee in the state of Indiana.  

Located in the Great Lakes Region—just a little ways away from the south end of Lake Michigan—sits the entire campus of Culver Academies which has called this place home since its beginning as the Culver Summer Naval School in 1902. Ten years later, Woodcraft Camp was founded. Woodcraft uses a separate 250 acre campgrounds for their summer activities. 

They offer great individual sports such as Archery, Riflery, Cross Country, Disc Golf, Fencing, Fishing, Horseriding, Golf, Tennis, Track, Chess, and more. You can also enjoy team sports such as Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Frisbee, and more. 

They also offer plenty of activities in Nature, Music, Theater, and Arts. You can even learn languages like French and Spanish or take other academic classes. And, of course, you can make use of the waterfront and go Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, Diving, Water Skiing, and, of course, Swimming. 

With more than 60 A-frame cabins and a separate dining hall, their facilities include a plethora of instructional buildings, one of America’s largest indoor riding halls, one of Indiana's largest natural lakes, as well as an incredible number of sailboats, power boats, personal watercraft, and the largest three-masted square-rigger on fresh water in the country! 

At Culver Woodcraft Camp, campers soak in a six-week camp stay chock full of camp activities for children from the ages 9 to 14. With more than 80 elective courses and activities to help the youth achieve independence, leadership skills, and self-confidence. Culver Woodcraft Camp has seen great success in kick-starting kids on an awesome path through life. Check out their website for a closer look by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading! 

- John

Hey, Camp Folks! 

Your kid is going to be coming home from summer camp and I’m sure you’re wondering what their return will be like. Really, there’s no telling what to expect. Summer camp experts, Chris Thurber and Jon Malinowski mention just how unpredictable your children’s behavior can be upon their return in their guidebook ‘The Summer Camp Handbook’. 

Check out what one parent had to say about their child coming back home. Lori C. submitted this to us following the camp season of 2019. Here’s what she had to say about her son’s stay at Camp Westmont: 

“My son just came home from camp today and he couldn't stop talking about all the fun he had. From learning to swim at the pool and then being able to swim in the lake. Playing Tennis and on the Ropes Courses. All the friends he had made and what he had accomplished during the summer. Bobby received two awards from camp. One was the kindness award for his bunk division and the other was an award for swimming. Before camp started my son had a very hard time trying to learn how to swim, but the staff at camp helped him be less fearful and he learned! He was very fearful of almost everything he did or didn't want to do. But as he's telling me everything he did at camp this summer, I am very grateful for the experience he has gained. He said he rides when they went on their trips, he learned to ride his bike without training wheels, he climbed the rock wall, and I was told by one of his group leaders that he is one of the best tennis players in his division! Again I am very grateful for this opportunity that he had. He can't stop talking about this summer and is already talking about going back to Camp Westmont next year!” 

Hopefully your camper enjoyed the summer camp experience as much as Bobby. Peruse the rest of our submissions from summer campers throughout the years by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading! 

- John

Hey, Camp Fans! 

A new addition to our hard-working Shipping Department this year, Natalie has brought her sunny demeanor and close attention to detail to the job! She’s been fantastic help this season, catching on quickly and getting lots of orders out the door and on their way to campers! But that’s enough work talk for today! Let’s shift our focus to the top summer camp activities that Natalie would want to try if she got to head to camp right now. 

It wasn’t too hard for her to figure out what she’d sign herself up for if she somehow got the opportunity to try out any camp activities now in her adulthood. 

Archery & Horseback Riding
They’re two of the most popular and iconic camp activities and Natalie has never gotten the chance to try her hand at them before, despite how much she would jump at the chance. “To this day they’re something I need to do,” she told me. 

Dance & Theater
Natalie has loved to dance ever since she can recall. From hip-hop to ballroom dancing, she’s a fan of all styles. While she has less experience with it, she also said she’d be interested in theater. Really, she just loves being on the stage. 

Tennis
A love for Tennis is a more recent discovery for Natalie. She’s always had an interest in watching televised matches, but she randomly started playing it in the last couple years with great enjoyment.

Math Camp
Natalie teaches math to a range of grades from middle school to high school. Her favorite kind to teach is algebra. “I do math even when I’m not teaching it throughout the summer,” she told me. “I LOVE math.” A Math Camp fits right into the equation for Natalie’s camp activity picks! 

What have you had the opportunity to do at summer camp? Do you share any of Natalie’s interests? Let us know in the comments and, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks! Happy camping! 

- John