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Loading ...For a gay old time, go to ‘Camp’ Camp
For one week this summer, he’ll live in a cabin, sing songs in a dining hall and swim in a lake. It’ll pretty much be like every kid’s experience at summer camp.
The difference?
Forrest Clift isn’t a kid – he’s 41. And he isn’t going to just any summer camp – he’s going to “Camp” Camp.
Founded in 1997, “Camp” Camp is a week-long summer camp for GLBT adults. And when they say “summer camp,” they mean it.
“The purpose we serve is to allow grown ups to be kids for a week,” says Associate Director Susan Clinkenbeard.
“Camp” Camp’s location in southwestern Maine is complete with bunks, a mess hall and a camp store. Campers sign up for activities like pottery, hiking and “Yarn Time.” They also spend the week preparing acts for the Talent/No Talent Show because, let’s face it, camp wouldn’t be camp without skits.
And at night? Campers attend dances, of course. In fact, in addition to insect repellent and seven pairs of underwear, the packing list encourages campers to bring “flashy outfits and costumes” to wear to the evening festivities.
There are a few differences between “Camp” Camp and your regular summer camp, though. For starters, you have to be at least 18 years old to attend. And, unlike the summer camps you remember from childhood, “Camp” Camp doesn’t require campers to participate in activities. You can fill your time with structured events, or spend all day lounging by the lake. And “Camp” Camp prides itself on serving non-camp-like (i.e. good) food.
More importantly, though, the camp provides GLBT adults with an opportunity to socialize outside of the traditional gay scene.
“We try to offer an alternative to the booze and bods element of the community,” says Clinkenbeard, who goes by “Clink.” (It’s her camp nickname – remember those?) “It’s a healthy alternative,” she says, “and people really take to it.”
In fact, “Camp” Camp was originally conceived of as an alternative to the gay men’s bar scene.
NEXT PAGE: Why campers keep coming back.
Journalism 101. Load the pertinent facts in the beginning of the story. Like maybe where the camp is??!?
jeez
JT – How about clicking on the provided hyperlink 365gay.com provided in the article to Camp Camp’s website and find out all the information you desire.
In cyberspace, hyperlink offer the prescribed requirements of Journalism 101 without the need to break the flow of the article.
Please keep yourself open to the changes to come.
‘Camp’ Camp is in southwestern Maine (Kezar Falls). It’s about 45 minutes from Portland.
This is going to be my third year at http://www.CampCamp.com – I love the variety of people I meet each year, and the activities. Oh, and unplugging my spine from the real world. No internet, no cell phone signal – it’s divine!
I remember going to a boys camp when I was about 10. I realized years later that it probably had a mostly gay staff of college kids and they had fun….naked basketball games (one team wore T shirt).
Another note to JT: As a print-emphasis Journalism graduate from ‘83, times have changed. The web surfers of today know to look for a hyperlink anywhere in the article, or at the end, to not clutter up the story. And as a ‘Camp’ Camper since 2001, I say, go! You’ll have a wonderful time, challenge yourself, make new friends, and feel renewed.
I found this article both informative and entertaining!
Job well done, Jenny Hagel! Job well done indeed.
Good day.
I was a first year camper this year and can say it was beyond expectations. The staff and other campers were great. Tons of activities and you could pick and choose what events to attend. I never went to camp as a kid, but now realize that was a mistake. Will be back next year. What a great way to disconnect from technology and just enjoy other people (men and women).
Don’t you love how commenting gives people brass balls? As if we’re supposed to blindly believe that some random, anonymous commenter is actually a journalism professor that spends all day teaching the reverse pyramid? By the way, JT, 7th paragraph from the top: ““Camp” Camp’s location in southwestern Maine is complete with bunks, a mess hall and a camp store.” Also, did you not notice the links? Read the story next time.
As for the actual camps, there are several of these here in the Midwest that have been operating for far longer than the one you mention here… and they exist all over the country. I don’t see what the big deal is.
Yeah, they’re ALL meant to be an “alternative” to the bar scene and they start with good intentions, but the reputation among the ones out here at least has become pretty bad. Just google “Camp Willowswish.” Apparently, these camps just end up ATTRACTING the folks FROM the regular bar scenes and the camps usually turn into big booze-laden orgies where, more often than not, the police are called or someone gets thrown out for fighting.
Not saying that that is the case here, particularly, but cliche misbehavior at these types of events seems to be the rule rather than the exception.
Aucuns doutes c’est une bonne page..