Hey, Passengers! 

Today is Train Day! Trains are an exciting, old-fashioned means of travel, still used for transporting goods on a daily basis these days. Trains are enthralling—pulling hundreds of tons of weight right along at a fairly speedy clip. Some trains pull as much as 500 tons! The steam locomotive was first invented in 1804, but trains were around before that even. How were they powered? 

Horse Power
Before the steam locomotives, people actually attached horses to trains (they didn’t pull quite as much weight as trains do now, though!). The first steam engine hit 18 miles per house. On its first journey, the train riders came across owners of Stockton and Stokes, a stagecoach company who challenged the train to race one of their horses. The horse won after the locomotive ran out of juice. 

Turbo Beetle
The Black Beetle (the lesser known beetle from the 60’s) was a passenger train that was tested in New York City, 1966. Engineers were experimenting to see what speeds they could achieve so they to a jet engine from a bomber and threw it on the back of the Beetle. Its test run reached over 180 miles per hour, but they quickly scrapped the project as it was too expensive. 

Beetles VS Bullets
Just because they did away with The Black Beetle doesn’t mean further speeds weren’t achieved in years to come. Japan has The Shinkansen, or Japanese Bullet Train which gives its travelers an hour long ride from one side of the country to the other. How can that happen so quickly? Well, it travels at 200 miles per hour as the fastest train on Earth. 

There’s a train that goes by not even a block from my house and I love hearing it pass by. Enjoy any trains going by that you may encounter today. As always, thanks for reading and happy camping! 

- John

Hey, Camp Folks! 

Staying hard at work with an assortment of responsibilities, Amy is our Graphic Artist—a role that keeps her very busy with creating graphics and managing them on our website, photography requests to show off our great products in clear detail, laying out emails as well as our brochure, and a laundry list more. But we’re not talking about work today! 

Today we’re going to find out what Amy would do if she got to go to summer camp right now as an adult. Amy couldn’t settle on any one camp activity so she gave me a laundry list of fun stuff. Check out the busy schedule she would make for herself: 

Archery
At the top of the list, Amy gave me Archery. “I’ve had archery experience though other camps/activities (girl scouts and high school gym class),” she told me. “I really enjoyed that.”  

Softball
A very close second was Softball. “I played in high school and bar leagues and miss it so much!” she said. “My dad spent many hours in the backyard teaching me all of the basic skills before joining the high school team.” 

Pottery
Pottery was one that Amy’s always had interest in and wanted to try. She’s simply never had the chance before. It would definitely be on her list of camp fun. 

Fishing and Canoeing
“I’ve always loved to fish” Amy told me. “It’s always been a family activity – starting when I was about two years old! Every year our family vacation was spent fishing on a lake in Northern WI. We are hoping our kids enjoy it as well. We recently bought a canoe and I have found it very relaxing.” 

Knitting, Sewing, and Woodworking
“These are all skills my parents have and I’d like to learn more so I can pass those skills onto my own kids,” said Amy. “My mom taught me to sew but I really expanded my skills when I started at my first job in 2007 (at Nancy’s Notions). I’ve since taught my husband some basic sewing machine skills! I can do basic woodworking that I learned from my dad, but I have no knitting skills.” 

She’s off to learn and have a bunch of fun! Do you love any of the same camp activities as Amy? Will you be enjoying any of these essential summer camp experiences this coming summer! Comment below to let us know. As always, thanks for reading and happy camping! 

- John

Hey, Little Birdies!

Happy Bird Day! Birds are fascinating creatures for which many people have great appreciation. Birding is a relaxing activity that people develop in which they spot and study particular birds. You can do this with birds you spot in your backyard or with birds you seek out in the wilderness. Check out these amazing facts about birds that just might change the way you see them…

Bird Brain
Calling someone ‘bird-brain’ may sound like an insult, but the more you learn about birds the more you may take kindly to such a reference. A particular family of birds including crows, ravens, rooks, jays, and others are believed to be some of the most intelligent animals in the world based on their capacity for problem-solving, crafting tools, considering future events, and considering the state of mind of another creature.

Built-in Compass
Scientists believe birds have a protein in their eyes that provides them with a sense called magnetoreception—the ability to detect the magnetic fields of the Earth.  This is likely what gives birds their accurate navigation skills as they fly south for the winter and return in the spring.

The Big Birds
Not the famous one that lives on Sesame Street. Just generally speaking, what is the largest bird? Well, that answer isn't quite as cut-and-dry as what the smallest kind of bird is: the Bee hummingbird which weighs less than a penny. If you’re going based off weight, it’s the ostrich which can weigh more than 300 pounds! But for flighted birds, the condor takes the cake in weight, though the Wandering Albatross’ wingspan is larger, expanding out to 12 feet! 

Aren’t birds incredible? I think the best thing about them is that, no matter where you are, you can see birds of some species or another. You may not be able to catch a condor without going to great lengths, but you can probably spot a bird of some kind without leaving your backyard. Put out some bird food, grab some binoculars, and you ought to have a great show!

Did you already know any of these things about birds? Be sure to comment to let us know and, as always, thanks for reading and happy camping!

- John

Hey, Tree Huggers!

Typically observed on the last Friday of April, today is Arbor Day—a day for encouraging people anywhere and everywhere to plant a tree. Trees are amazing! Did you know that trees never die of old age?! Did you know they drink three times as much as you?! Did you know they brighten our attitudes and boost our spirits?!

How do trees make us feel good? Well, it’s not necessarily the trees themselves, but where there are trees there are lots of negative ions. A negative ion is atomic energy that is emitted from the earth. They improve our mood, reduce pain, and boost our energy. They’re emitted everywhere, but are much more abundant in places like forests, waterfalls, and other areas where nature is left uninhibited.

In honor of Arbor Day, let’s shoot the breeze about trees.

Tree Talk
Trees can talk? You bet! Well, not verbally, no. But they can communicate with one another. Willows Trees, for instance, will secrete a certain chemical when it’s being harmed by insects. The chemical is an alarm to other trees nearby. Trees that “get word” will respond by growing something called tannin on their leaves which detracts the insects.

The Tallest of All
Trees grow to be very, very tall. But the tallest of all resides in the Redwood Forest of California. The Sequoia trees are the largest in the world. And the biggest one of them is called The Giant Sequoia. Not only is it the biggest tree on Earth, but it’s the biggest living thing on Earth! It stands 30 stories tall and 82 feet around. It’s somehow been calculated to weigh nearly three tons (6000 pounds).

The Air Diet
Despite how much they drink, arborists (tree experts) say trees only get about 10% of their nutrition from water and soil. They sustain themselves mostly from sunlight and air. It’s believed that they absorb 90% of their nutrition simply from the air they breathe.

Trees are truly something else! Do you have a spot to plant a tree? We'll be putting a 'family birch' in the ground in my mother's backyard around Arbor Day. Let us know in the comments if you’re going to celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree. As always, thanks for reading and happy camping!

- John

Our Trunk Organizer Tools Trifecta: 

These aren’t just accessories; they bring simplicity, efficiency, and adaptability to your summer stay. From effortless packing to quick access during busy camp days, they keep you organized and focused on making the most of every moment. Let’s explore how these essentials elevate your camp experience!

How Best to Keep the Contents of Your Camp Trunk Organized? 

Today, we’re turning the spotlight on three camp trunk organizer accessories that make your trunk tidy, more efficient, and perfectly tailored to your adventures: the Glide ‘N’ Go Tray, the LidMate Organizer, and Packing Cubes.

Whether you’re looking for quick access to your gear, smarter storage solutions, or a way to keep everything neat and organized, our accessories transform your trunk into more than just a storage space—they make it a reliable partner for every adventure.

The Glide ‘N’ Go Trunk Tray: Accessibility Made Simple 

Less than 30 years ago, our original tray spanned the entire top of the trunk, making it cumbersome to use. Accessing gear beneath meant lifting a bulky unit without handles and finding a large surface to set it down. 

Enter the Glide ‘N’ Go Tray. Lightweight yet incredibly durable, its design takes up only half the space and glides effortlessly along built-in rails. It offers easy access to the contents below without the hassle. Plus, with its secure lid, you can confidently pack essentials and small items without worrying about spills. Whether you’re packing up or unpacking at camp, the Glide ‘N’ Go Tray ensures everything you need is within easy reach.

The LidMate Organizer: Maximizing Every Inch 

Packing Cubes: Next-Level Organization 

Packing for camp can feel like a puzzle, but Packing Cubes turn it into an art. These versatile organizers let you separate your belongings into manageable sections, making it easy to find exactly what you need when you need it. Keep your clothes wrinkle-free, your gear sorted, and your life stress-free with these compact, durable cubes.

Packing Cubes offer more than just neatness—they bring peace of mind. From clean clothes to essentials for a day hike, everything has its place. Plus, when it’s time to head home, the cubes make repacking a breeze, ensuring nothing gets left behind.

Why It Matters 

We don’t just sell trunks—we create tools that empower you to stay organized and prepared for every adventure. From the Glide ‘N’ Go Tray’s effortless accessibility to the LidMate Organizer’s smart use of space and the Packing Cubes’ precision organization, these tools are designed for campers who know that every detail matters.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story 

Your adventures inspire us. You’re more than just campers; you’re trailblazers, memory-makers, and storytellers who show us the importance of creating tools that matter. Ready to elevate your camp game? Explore our collection now and discover why Everything Summer Camp is your trusted partner in adventure.

Thanks for reading, Camp Folks. And, as always, Happy Camping, 

– John