Campfires and Color Wars

Sara and Sam Richardson met each other at camp, and had so much fun they decided to travel around the country visiting various camps and making a documentary film about it (From Camp To Camp). They join to talk about the differences and similarities between Christian and Jewish camps, what it's like to be in a Christian metal band, and tell an incredible tale of pool-related shenanigans. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Rebecca Caplan got her start as a comedy writer putting together dramatic plays at Camp Timber Tops, where she also penned the world-renowned Forrest Gumpstein for Lip Sync Night. Join us as we discuss the difficulties of being a counselor, the importance (or lack thereof) of keeping a clean bunk, and hear her tale of romance torn apart due to government interference. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Camp Newman is home to so many fond memories for people who went there, which makes it all the more devastating that it was burned to the ground after the wildfires in California this year. Daniel Kaufman and Jare Akchin join to talk about what made Newman so great and how the community is rebuilding the camp, plus we talk about what we're thankful for from camp, embarrassing first kisses, plus an unexpected tale of an unrequited display of affection. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Lisa Loeb is an iconic musician and performer, and a huge proponent of summer camps! She joins Micah and guest co-host Michelle "Krebs" Levy to talk about overcoming shyness, singing from sunrise to sundown, and we discuss our favorite weird camp songs. Don't waste a minute!

If adversity builds character, Paul Shirley (author of the new memoir "Stories I Tell On Dates") built a lot in a short period of time during his summers at science and scout camp. The former NBA player joins to talk about homesickness, the similarities between summer camp and basketball camp, and shares a Canadian version of ultimate frisbee that doesn't sound very Canadian. Don't waste a minute!

Mandy Berman, author of the summer camp coming-of-age novel Perennials, joins Sara and Micah to discuss that magical time of transition into adolescence, and how camp provided a safe place to develop who you were, physically and emotionally. Plus we learn the meaning of Rock Time, and why it's always important to take everything out of your shorts before your mom does the wash. Take a listen!

Benji Orlansky and Herschel Bleefeld join Sara and Micah to discuss the movie Camp Nowhere from 1994 and its portrayal of a summer camp by and for the kids. Is it any good? Does it remind us of the camps we grew up at? What's the deal with their clothes? Take a listen and find out!

College basketball reporter and long-time veteran of Camp Equinunk Seth Davis joins the podcast to share why his camp has the best color war, the thrill of competing in the Upper Senior Basketball Game, and how dancing in a kilt turned out to be a transformative experience for him. Don't miss it!

Fans of Wet Hot American Summer rejoice! Cocreator and director David Wain joins to talk about his summer camp experiences and how they shaped one of the most beloved movies (and series) ever set at camp. We discuss which WHAS scenes and characters are based on real-life stories, what David was known for at Camp Modin in Main, and hear about how surgery vastly improved David's prospects with the ladies. Check it out!

Sometimes if you feel like you don't fit in, you end up on the sidelines making fun of all the perceived cool kids. Perhaps that experience helped shape the comedic voice of Jason Sattler, aka @LOLGOP on Twitter, who takes some time out of his busy schedule roasting the embattled leaders of the free world and fighting for progressive causes to join us this week.

Jason recounts his times at an Orthodox Jewish Camp in California waiting on the arrival of the Messiah, gives tips on who to befriend when you get to camp, and discusses his epic attempt at finding a camp date no matter the odds. 

Take a listen!