Ep. 41: American Summer Camps

Silent Generation

In a more anecdotal direction, this week’s episode is on American Summer camps. The boys detail how camping was first developed in 1861 by Frederick Gunn before discussing their own experiences as campers and counselors at American Summer camps. Amongst other things they discuss how modern Summer camps have felt the need to hyperspecialize and give parents an ROI, how Summer camp aesthetics are 1970’s by default, how Summer camps were depicted as WASPy in Addams Family Values, and how Summer camps were depicted as somewhat utopian in the 1964 Soviet film Welcome, or No Trespassing. This is the second installment of a three part series that explores interconnected topics that deal with American culture and the outdoors.

Links:

The Not So Happy Campers by Mimi Swartz

About our Founder - The Frederick Gunn School

Summer Camp Capitalism

The History of American Jewish Summer Camps

I can tell from her tweets that she had to go live with grandma for a lil bit meme

Wednesday’s revolt from The Addams Family Values

Long accused of Indigenous misappropriation, Boy Scouts ask if it’s time to change

Welcome, or No Trespassing (1964)

Artwork:

Photograph by Andy Sweet

Recorded on 9/15/2023