Hey, Camp Folks!

As trunkmakers, here at Everything Summer Camp, we have incredible respect for the craft of woodworking—steeped in tradition all throughout history. Our trunks speak for themselves when it comes to their integrity, but tricks of the trade have helped us create such indestructible footlockers. How about the folks who came up with the tricks? There have been a select few who have truly left their mark on the industry. Today, let's take a peek at some of the most influential figures who have shaped woodworking as we know it:

Thomas Chippendale

Born in 1718 in London, England, Thomas elevated woodworking from a mere craft to an art form. His designs, featured in his book ‘The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director,’ continue to inspire woodworkers to this day.

William Sheraton

Born in 1751 in England, William believed in making fine furniture accessible to all. His designs, showcased in ‘The Cabinet Dictionary,’ focused on affordability without compromising quality.

Gustav Stickley

A champion of the Arts and Crafts movement, Gustav, born in 1858 in Minnesota, simplified furniture design by emphasizing natural materials and functionality over ornamentation.

George Nakashima

Japanese-American woodworker George, born in 1905 in Pennsylvania, viewed woodworking as an art form. His furniture designs, influenced by his upbringing in Japan, are celebrated for their craftsmanship and beauty.

Sam Maloof

Sam, born in 1916 in California, was known for his innovative furniture designs using local materials. His pieces, often crafted with individual wood strands, showcased his dedication to craftsmanship and creativity.

Wendell Castle

Born in 1932 in Kansas, Wendell pushed the boundaries of woodworking with his incorporation of paper mache into his designs. His work, delicate yet striking, continues to inspire artists and craftsmen worldwide.

James Krenov

James, born in 1927 in California, dedicated his life to creating beautiful pieces of art through woodworking. His teachings and writings have inspired countless woodworkers to pursue their craft with passion and dedication.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Scottish architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, born in 1868 in Glasgow, drew inspiration from nature to create modernist designs that left a lasting impact on architecture and the arts.

Bunzo Mikuni

Dubbed ‘the George Nakashima of Japan,’ Bunzo, born in 1915 in Tokyo, elevated woodworking through his furniture designs and craftsmanship. His legacy continues to influence woodworkers the world over.

In conclusion, the contributions of these influential woodworkers have shaped the craft of woodworking and left an indelible mark on its history. From their innovative designs to their dedication to craftsmanship, their legacies continue to inspire generations of woodworkers to come. Thanks for reading, Wood Fans! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Families!

Summer camp is a time for adventure, but between opening and closing day, there's often a logistical challenge: moving your trunk from the parking lot to the cabin and back again. This task can be daunting, especially when your trunk is fully packed and the terrain is rough. Enter the C&N Wheel Away System—a revolutionary solution designed to make transporting your trunk the easiest part of your camp experience!

The C&N Wheel Away System features large, 4″ PVC wheels that provide exceptional maneuverability across various terrains, from gravel paths to uneven campground surfaces. With this innovative system, campers can effortlessly move their fully-packed footlocker from point A to point B without breaking a sweat.

But how did the idea for the Wheel Away System come about? It all started with a simple question: how can we provide campers with the convenience of wheels without the risk of damage?

Before the Wheel Away System, other trunk makers offered trunks with built-in wheels. While this provided convenience, it also posed a significant problem: the wheels were prone to damage considering the rough and tumble trunks endure as they’re tossed into car trunks or stowed away on airlines. With the wheels permanently affixed, damaged wheels would leave the whole trunk unusable.

We set out to develop a solution that would offer campers the flexibility to have wheels when they needed them and remove them when they didn't. Thus, the C&N Wheel Away System was born!

Now, campers can easily attach the Wheel Away System to their trunk when it's time to move and remove it when they arrive at their destination. This innovative approach not only eliminates the risk of damaged wheels but also enhances the overall versatility of the trunk.

So, the next time you're gearing up for summer camp, don't forget to equip your trunk with the C&N Wheel Away System—the easiest way to transport your trunk wherever adventure takes you. Thanks for reading, Camp Fans! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Parents!

Staying organized at summer camp is no easy feat. It’s asking a lot of your camper, after all, to live out of a camp trunk for a week or longer without it getting a bit chaotic inside. You don’t want your camper wasting precious time at camp as they search for buried items, though. You want them enjoying their camp stay to the fullest!

What can you do during the packing process to help them maintain organization during their time away? Here are some great tips to help your camper remain orderly:

Familiarize

It will be a lot easier for your camper to find things if they know what their gear looks like! Check out this parent’s tip about going over all the gear with your camper before or while you pack:

“Show your child their things BEFORE you pack it in their trunk! Make sure they know what their laundry bag, sports equipment, and non-personalized items look like so they can recognize it in the bunk.”

- Rebecca W. 

Ziploc and Toiletry Bags

Keeping toiletries and smaller camping supplies together is easily accomplished with sealable kitchen bags or toiletry bags. You can click here to peruse our Toiletry Bags. Here’s a tip from a parent who uses Ziploc bags for clothing:

“I always make my daughters outfits and place the complete outfit in an extra-large Ziploc bag with the date on it. So she knows exactly what to wear every day.” 

- Rachelle

PACKING CUBES, PACKING CUBES, PACKING CUBES

We’ve received plenty of tips from parents singing the praises of Packing Cubes! Click here to get your hands on our premium Packing Cubes. Here are a few of those tips:

“Use packing cubes in your trunk to help keep it organized and gain more space when space is at a premium!!”

- Jennifer H.

“Use clothing cubes so when your child goes rummaging through their trunks the clothes don't go everywhere the first day.”

- Shannon W.

“Great when packing for camp, great for staying organized at camp. Cubes make it easy to get dressed every morning, get ready for various activities like swimming and Shabbat dinners, put away laundry after it is returned.”

- Carol H.

The One and Only BUNK ORGANIZER

An underrated tool for your camper’s bunk area, the Bunk Organizer offers 16 pockets and hangs vertically on the foot or side of a bunk, providing a convenient organizational solution for all kinds of items your camper will want to keep handy throughout their camp stay. The Bunk Organizer provides a great place to go with nighttime or morning items like a flashlight or supplies for dental care and it’s also a designated spot for keeping essentials easily accessible like sun and bug protection. Check out the Bunk Organizer when you click right here.

With these tools and plans in your arsenal, your camper stands a chance of remaining organized throughout their camp stay so that they can forget about rummaging through a pile of apparel and gear in a camp trunk and enjoy a smooth, prepared camp stay. Thanks for reading, Camp Folks. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey there, Outdoor Enthusiasts!

Hiking through lush forest trails to splashing in the crystal-clear waters of the lake, days at summer camp promise endless excitement and exploration. The troop of campers will certainly be giving their camping gear and apparel the ultimate test on this trip! Will their footwear be up to the task and keep up with their boundless exploration? Enter Chaco, the trusted companion for campers seeking durable, versatile footwear that can handle anything summer camp throws their way.

Established in 1989 by a Colorado rafting guide with a vision for ultimate outdoor footwear, Chaco sandals are built to adapt and thrive in any environment, just like the highly-adaptable gecko which was the inspiration behind their symbol.

What sets Chaco apart from other footwear companies is not just their durability and versatility but also their commitment to sustainability. Their sandals are made with straps crafted from recycled water bottles, making them a vegan-friendly choice for environmentally-conscious campers. Chaco also offers adjustability for a custom fit, ensuring that your child's sandals are comfortable and secure whether they're hiking the trails or splashing in the lake.

The benefits of Chaco keep going beyond their innovative design too. With the Chaco Repair, Reuse, Rechaco program, they offer repairs for worn-out sandals to keep them out of landfills and minimize their environmental impact. From resoling outsoles to replacing straps and buckles, their Michigan-based repair team ensures that your child's Chacos can go the distance for many summer seasons to come.

So how will your camper be traversing the range of terrain they’ll be facing throughout the camp adventures? Are you ready to upgrade your child's amphibious footwear with Chaco sandals? Check out our selection today and get your camper prepared for whatever summer has in store for them. Thanks for reading, Outdoor Enthusiasts. And remember, adventure awaits. As always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Eager Summer Camp Fans!

Eagerly awaiting the transformation of plain white fabric into explosive tie-dye masterpieces, the campers’ were thrilled after stirring their dye and dipping their shirts in color. But after bagging their shirts and placing them out in the warmth of the afternoon sun. The dye requires 24 hours to allow all the colors to truly bond with the fabric. While the kids didn’t want to walk away from their project, their counselor reminded them all, “A watched pot never boils, campers!”

This commonly known phrase captures the universal truth that time can really seem to slow down when we're eagerly awaiting for something to happen. But where did this age-old adage originate, and why does it still ring true today?

The origins of ‘a watched pot never boils’ can be traced back to the mid-1700s, attributed to none other than the famed founding father, Benjamin Franklin. While the phrase itself doesn't appear in Franklin's famous Poor Richard's Almanack, he did allude to it in his esoteric writings, stating that "a watched pot is slow to boil." Though Franklin may not have coined the exact phrase, his reference to it solidified its place in our lexicon.

Over the centuries, the saying has become a fixture in everyday conversation, popping up everywhere to remind us that patience is a virtue, and that sometimes, the best course of action is to step back and let things unfold naturally.

So, the next time you find yourself anxiously waiting for that pot to boil, take a cue from the wisdom of one of our founding fathers and embrace the moment. After all, as Franklin himself once said, "He that can have patience can have what he will." Until next time, Camp Folks. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John