Our History and Timeline

Over six decades ago, FlagHouse opened its doors in New York City's Greenwich Village to sell booster items, including pennants and flags, to help local schools and organizations raise extra funds. Today, our family-run business is still helping those organizations, and we’ve grown to become a premier global source of quality equipment and programs for physical education, recreation, special needs therapies and education.

Our story is one of continuous growth. With each decade, customers' needs have changed, bringing new challenges and demands. We have responded by listening to our customers, offering quality-made and innovative products that help them fulfill their missions, and providing the customer experience they deserve.

1954 – FlagHouse is founded in New York City's Greenwich Village area to sell booster and fundraising items, including pennants and flags, to schools.

1962 – Monte Carmel becomes a partner and adds sporting goods to the product line.

1970 – The company mails its first full-length catalog for sports and recreation to schools, youth organizations, recreation programs, camps, and other institution-based customers.

1972 – The company expands and moves to the Flatiron District in New York City.

1975 – Recognizing the lack of resources for those working with students with special needs, FlagHouse is the first to develop a catalog (Exceptional Children & Adults) featuring products for their specific use.

1978 – The company launches a second physical education catalog, targeted toward the K-8 market.

1985 – George Carmel, the son of Monte Carmel, joins the company.

1986 – The company relocates to a 50,000-square foot distribution center in Mount Vernon, NY, just north of NYC.

1992 – ROMPA®, Ltd. appoints FlagHouse as the exclusive North American distributor of Snoezelen®. This innovative product line further positions the company as North America's pre-eminient special needs resource supplier.

The company establishes a Canadian division, FlagHouse Canada, located in Toronto, Ontario.

A strategic partnership is formed with G&S Smirthwaite, appointing FlagHouse as the exclusive North American distributor for the manufacturer's quality positioning and conductive education furniture for children and adults with special needs.

1996 – The company relocates to Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, expanding its operations into a modern 118,000-square foot facility.

Monte Carmel's son, Douglas, joins the company.

1998 – The company begins marketing CATCH® (Coordinated Approach to Child Health), the most thoroughly researched and tested program for promoting children's wellness through physical fitness, proper nutrition, and behavior modification. FlagHouse forms a strategic partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at University of Texas. CATCH quickly becomes the leading health initiative for children's wellness in the United States.

Monte Carmel retires. Sons, George and Douglas, assume full leadership of the company.

1999 – FlagHouse hosts the Snoezelen World Congress in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, bringing together therapists, educators, academics, physicians, and other professionals from around the world, for an exciting, informative, shared learning experience.

The company develops KiDnastics™, a movement education program that provides PE professionals with an alternative to stunt gymnastics programs.

2000 – FlagHouse acquires ROMPA®, Ltd. in England, embracing its manufacturing, merchandising, marketing and worldwide distribution capabilities, and its preeminent leadership regarding multi-sensory environments.

2002 – The company partners with Project Adventure®, the leader in cooperative and adventure-based experiential education.

2003 – FlagHouse teams up with the American Association of AdaptedSports™ Programs (AAASP) to involve students with physical disabilities and visual impairments in extra-curricular, inter-scholastic school based sports through Project ASPIRE.

2005 – FlagHouse becomes the first and only company to be awarded a long-term contract to supply physical education equipment to the New York City Department of Education - the largest school system in the country.

2006 – FlagHouse's CATCH program receives the 2006 Secretary's Innovation and Prevention Award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

FlagHouse teams with Special Olympics to become the equupplier for its Young Athletes Program, aimed at helping children develop the fundamental skills for future participation in sports.

2007 – The company launches a CATCH informational website to support teachers, parents, school staff, children and the community in their efforts to build successful coordinated school health programs.

2008 – Snoezelen.info is launched, providing a colorful and informative look at how multi-sensory environments enhance therapy, learning, recreation and relaxation for those with special needs.

FlagHouse takes Snoezelen to the next level by partnering with GestureTek®, the world leader in camera-enabled gesture-recognition technology.

FlagHouse partners with STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (formerly the SPD Foundation), the only public charity dedicated to research, education and advocacy for those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

2009 – FlagHouse partners with the Autism Society of America, the nation's leading grassroots autism organization, to bring the company's resources for sensory integration and special needs to families affected by autism.

The company expands CATCH with the launch of the CATCH Early Childhood (CEC) Program, designed to establish a healthy foundation for children ages 3-5.

2010 – FlagHouse introduces a line of sensory integration products, branded TheraGym®.

2011– Our Educational Services Program is launched, headed by John Smith, a NASPE National Teacher of the Year. John and the "Jersey Boys" delight and inspire thousands of professionals attending their physical education workshops and trainings.

The ILSI Research Foundation appoints FlagHouse as the exclusive distributor of its innovative, evidence-based TAKE 10!® program, which integrates fun 10 minute physical activity breaks with learning for children in grades K-5.

2012 – FlagHouse launches its free Bullying Awareness and Prevention Program - Play Well With Others...Be Active Against Bullying!™ - along with several esteemed national partners. The unique and popular program incorporates physical activities to promote bullying awareness among children in grades 3-8.

2013 – The PACER Center, a world leader in combating bullying, teams up with FlagHouse.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awards a first-ever contract to FlagHouse to furnish and install Snoezelen rooms and mobile equipment in nearly 50 VA medical centers, to help treat veterans suffering from dementia.

2015 - A new, mobile friendly website is launched, creating a more user-friendly experience for our Customers.

2016 - Premiered the FlagHouse Activity Channel on YouTube. Each week, we feature a video of  engaging, innovative activities utilizing FlagHouse products.

2017 - Launched in the Fall, CATCH.org is the platform to digitally access program resources for CATCH®, the school health program with the most scientific evidence of effectiveness.

Well into our sixth decade, we remain a close-knit, family-run company, but one that continuously strives to reinvent itself to meet the evolving needs of those we serve. At FlagHouse, we have deep feelings for our customers—the people and institutions who give their energy and compassion to students, clients, patients, members and loved ones every day. We’re honored to support them and know that when they order from us, they’re not just getting “stuff”—they’re fulfilling their commitments, and the products mean something real to real people. We never want to let them down.