Streamline your camp's programming and get the ultimate ROI on your activity budget! In this episode of the Camp Shopping Channel, Alison Miller (founder of Happy Camper Live) sits down with Assaf Eshet, the inventor of Clixo, to show you why this flexible, magnetic play system belongs in every camp cabin, maker space, and rainy-day toolkit. Buying for a camp program means balancing high engagement with extreme durability. Clixo delivers on both: High Capacity & Storage-Friendly: The Classroom Pack packs down flat, saving precious winter storage space. 100% Sanitizable: Unlike clay or wooden blocks, Clixo is dishwasher-safe and a breeze for staff to wipe down between groups. Weatherproof & Outdoor-Ready: Perfect for nature crafts, tree art installations, and outdoor building. Counselor-Proof: Includes open-ended Montessori-style prompt cards so even your youngest, least-experienced staff can run a flawless, high-energy activity. From individual quiet time to collaborative cabin challenges, see how Clixo scales to fit your camp's specific needs. Bulk Orders & Camp Packs Available Here: Shop Clixo for Camps: https://www.happycamperlive.com Join the Clixo community Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_clixo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myclixo/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@my_clixo Ready to upgrade your camp's gear? Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Camp Shopping Channel for the best vendor spotlights and product reviews! Video Show Notes & Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction: Alison Miller introduces Clixo founder and inventor, Assaf Eshet. 0:59 – The "Living in the Workshop" reality: Connecting toy design to the 24/7 summer camp lifestyle. 1:26 – Meet Assaf Eshet: Product designer, educator, and play innovator. 2:49 – Maximum Age Versatility: Why Clixo captures everyone from 4-year-old campers to teenagers and staff. 5:24 – Assaf’s background: Designing for Disney, Hasbro, and Mattel before creating Clixo. 7:00 – The Core Inspiration: Merging the structure of building blocks with the flexible magic of origami. 9:11 – Rigidity vs. Flexibility: Why standard building blocks break, and how Clixo's flexible design opens up new play patterns. 11:04 – CAMP UNBOXING: Alison breaks open the high-capacity Clixo Classroom Pack. 12:43 – Turnkey Programming: Using the open-ended Montessori prompt cards for instant camp activities. 14:59 – The Counselor Lifesaver: Why Clixo is completely plug-and-play for inexperienced or first-year staff. 16:21 – Meet the pieces: Quads, Flops, Flaps, and Tri-Dots (and how their "superpowers" encourage sharing). 17:36 – 3D Play Beyond the Table: Creating custom camp crowns, wearable jewelry, and mobile art. 19:01 – Sensory Engagement: The intentional, satisfying "click" sound that keeps campers focused. 21:06 – Storage Hack for Shared Spaces: Saving half-finished cabin projects on cheap magnetic walls. 22:33 – The Ultimate Camp Durability Test: Bending, stepping on, and throwing Clixo in the dishwasher. 23:19 – Solving the Winter Storage Crisis: Why flat-packing toys are a lifesaver for camps that lease space. 24:10 – Taking Clixo Outdoors: Integrating leaves, stones, and nature into camp crafts. 26:06 – Interactive Art: Creating shifting, community sculptures on the trees around camp. 26:29 – Elevating your camp's "Young Inventor Challenge" or STEM program. 29:31 – Expanding your fleet: Upgrading your camp packs with spinners, wheels, and window suction cups. 31:33 – Wrap-up: Bringing the ultimate open-ended play system to your camp this summer.

In this episode of the Camp Shopping Channel Podcast, Allison Miller sits down with Jason Lewin, CMO of American Paper Optics, to explore how simple, high impact products can transform camp experiences. From eclipse glasses used by NASA astronauts to creative 3D event ideas for camps, this conversation is packed with inspiration for making this summer unforgettable. Jason shares how their innovative 3D glasses create immersive moments using everyday light sources, and how camps can use them for fireworks, campfires, flashlight games, and even daytime activities. The episode also highlights special America 250 themed glasses and how camps can create meaningful, memorable programming around major milestones. If you are looking for an easy way to elevate your programming, create shareable moments, and give campers something they will never forget, this episode delivers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Meet Jason Lewin and American Paper Optics 01:50 NASA partnership and eclipse glasses story 05:08 Why this is perfect for camp experiences 07:52 Types of 3D glasses and how they work 10:09 USA and 250 visual effect glasses explained 12:01 Day camp and take home ideas 13:50 Creative ways camps can use the glasses 15:12 Immersive experiences and camper engagement 16:15 Letting campers create their own ideas 17:00 Programming ideas for July 4th and beyond 18:09 Creating memorable camp moments 19:50 Closing thoughts and looking ahead

Looking for a fun, safe, portable football game for summer camps, schools, PE programs, and youth groups? In this Camp Shopping Channel interview, Allison Miller of Happy Camper Live talks with Michael Silva, founder of QB54, about how this creative football inspired game went from a backyard invention to a Shark Tank featured product with more than 60,000 units sold. They discuss how QB54 works, why it is such a strong fit for camps, and how it can be used for campers, staff, mixed age groups, rainy day programming, relay races, tournaments, orientation, and even educational activities. This is more than just a backyard game. QB54 helps bring kids together, gets them off screens, encourages movement, builds confidence, and creates opportunities for fun competition, teamwork, and connection. In this video, you will learn: How QB54 was invented How the game is played Why QB54 is a great fit for summer camps How camps can use it for tournaments, brackets, and group play Why it works for mixed ages and different skill levels How schools are using it in PE and curriculum based learning Why it is a strong option for staff orientation and staff downtime How camps can use QB54 indoors, outdoors, and during rainy weather Creative ideas for relays, challenges, icebreakers, and educational programming QB54 combines football fundamentals, hand eye coordination, movement, strategy, and teamwork in a way that feels accessible and fun for everyone. To learn more about products for camps, visit Camp Shopping Channel and follow along for more interviews, camp ideas, product spotlights, and programming inspiration. Camp Shopping Channel helps camp professionals discover products, activities, equipment, and ideas that work in real camp settings. #CampShoppingChannel #QB54 #SummerCamp #CampActivities #FootballGame #YouthPrograms #PEGames #BackyardGames #StaffOrientation #RainyDayActivities Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:13 Allison Miller introduces Michael Silva from QB54 00:37 Michael shares his story and how QB54 was invented 02:02 From childhood idea to business launch 03:16 How QB54 works 04:22 Manufacturing, growth, sales, and Shark Tank 04:54 Why QB54 is a great fit for summer camps 05:58 How schools and PE programs use QB54 07:23 Why the game brings people together 07:43 Camp setup ideas for larger groups 08:23 Rainy day programming and indoor use 09:15 Tournament and bracket ideas for camps 10:04 Competition ideas, leaderboards, and camp challenges 10:28 How QB54 helps with mental math and learning 11:06 Football skills, terms, and game concepts kids learn 12:24 Creative variations including basketball and golf 13:55 How kicking works in the game 15:23 How QB54 colors were chosen 17:42 Camp relays, obstacle courses, and all camp events 18:24 Educational uses and classroom learning ideas 19:44 Survivor style camp challenge ideas 21:02 Recommended number of sets for camp groups 24:14 Why brackets and tournaments work so well 25:27 Staff use, orientation, and international staff engagement 27:27 Staff versus camper tournaments 28:12 Final thoughts on why QB54 is a win for camps 29:19 Curriculum, lesson plans, and ways to learn more

In this Camp Shopping Channel podcast episode, Allison talks with Don Benson, the inventor behind Eclipse Ball, a high energy paddle game that has been used in physical education for decades and is now catching on fast at summer camps. Eclipse Ball was built around one big idea: everyone can play. Don shares the origin story, how the rules were shaped to keep rallies going, and why the game helps kids who usually sit out feel confident and involved. If you are looking for a fresh camp sport that feels new to campers and staff, is easy to teach, and creates nonstop action on a volleyball court, this episode is for you. What you will learn in this episode • Where Eclipse Ball came from and why it was designed for non athletic kids too • Court setup using a standard volleyball court and net height • Team positions and safety tips for playing near the net • The ball specs and why the unique ball matters for the game feel • Key rules that keep the game moving, including unlimited hits and allowed bounces • The Play It rule and how it raises the stakes for extra points • Eclipse Ball Junior for younger campers and programs without rackets • Oval Ball for a faster, more challenging version • Satrian Ball, a soft foam ball that blends frisbee style play with endless camp game ideas • Tennis Trainer and how it helps teach spin and racket skills Camps can use Eclipse Ball for daily programming, rainy day gym time, camp Olympics, and special events like color war. It is also a great staff orientation game because everyone learns it at the same time. Explore Eclipse Ball and related gear on Camp Shopping Channel. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and intro 01:01 How Eclipse Ball started 03:02 The first ball and the visual flip 05:17 How it reached PE teachers and catalogs 08:27 Court setup, net height, and team positions 11:41 Ball size and durability 13:38 Eclipse Ball Junior and Oval Ball 18:02 Rules overview and the Play It rule 26:20 Satrian Ball and camp game ideas 33:35 Tennis Trainer and teaching spin 36:35 Camp use cases and closing https://www.campshoppingchannel.com/collections/eclipse-ball