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A podcast for those who may have left summer camp, but camp never left us.
Florida Congressman Ted Deutch joins to talk about his time growing up at Ramah Poconos and the impact that had on him and his approach to politics. We talk about evening programs that impacted our worldview, the key to spending time with someone before it's time to go back to your cabins, and why raids in hindsight weren't as "spontaneous" as they…
Advocate and pioneer Rabbi Denise Eger joins the podcast to discuss the transformation of camp for the LGBTQ community and her memories of growing up at Jacobs Camp in the summer heat of Mississippi. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!By Micah Hart
Sara Beth Berman, aka SBB, noted Jewish Geography Zoom Racing celeb, joins the podcast this week to talk summer camps, and more specifically her experiences at a multitude of them! It's possible she's worked at more camps than any previous guest, or at least we're going to make that claim without doing any research to back it up. We talk about Lett…
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Ep. #74: Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz
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This week we are joined by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz, owners of Gefilteria and the creators of the Great Big Jewish Food Fest, to talk food, tradition, and camp! Come for the discussion of which camp foods are the best, stay for the breakdown of how to make bank as a camp entrepreneur and the value of befriending the counselors. Don't waste …
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Ep. #73: Crip Camp with Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham
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Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham are the directors of Crip Camp, an incredible documentary streaming on Netflix about Camp Jened, a remarkable summer camp in the 1970s that proved to be a breeding ground for several of the leaders of the movement to gain rights and equal treatment under the law for Americans with disabilities. Join us as Jim and Nic…
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Ep. #72: Jamie Beth Cohen and Sam Schindler
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Jamie Beth Cohen and Sam Schindler are a camp couple - that is to say, they both went to camp growing up, but had vastly different experiences. How has that shaped their view of summer camp, and what does it mean for their kids and where they go some day? Don't waste a minute, take a listen and find out!…
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Ep. #71: Indigo Girls with Rabbi Sari Laufer and Leah Tennen
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Indigo Girls have been a staple of summer camp since bursting onto the scene in the mid-80s. Why is that? We break down how the iconic musical duo became so ingrained in the experience of camp for so many girls (and some boys) and why they still have such a deep connection with their fans all these years later. Don't waste a minute, stay safe and t…
Author Iris Krasnow joins to discuss her new memoir "Camp Girls" and how her time at Camp Agawak created lasting friendships that continue to this day. Plus we discuss the allure of the horse stables, taking the train to camp as a young child, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!By Micah Hart
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Ep. #69: Expedition Nai w/ Roey Kruvi and Abby Eisen
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We're all trying to make the best of it during quarantine. With Expedition Nai, Roey Kruvi and Abby Eisen are part of the team that has put together the world's largest virtual Color Wars competition, where participants around the globe can win prizes, find community, and try to have some fun even in these difficult times. Plus we discuss Sadie Haw…
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Ep. #68: Camp Song Exploder With Rabbi Larry Milder
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Wherever you go, there's always someone Jewish. It's a true statement, and it's also an incredibly popular summer camp song. In our latest episode we dive into the creation of the ubiquitous ditty with its author, longtime songleader and songwriter Rabbi Larry Milder, who walks us through how the song game together and shares his own camp journey a…
If we ever needed to transport ourselves to our happy places, that time is now. Tamar Anitai joins the podcast to talk about her experiences at Kutz Camp, the joys of going to camp exclusively for teenagers, and we talk (of course) about the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on us all. Join us to try to escape at least for a little bit - an…
By Micah Hart
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Ep: #65: Valentine's Camp Couple Special Vol. 4
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By Micah Hart
By Micah Hart
By Micah Hart
Jacobs Camp has been around for 50 years, and we bookend the camp's existence by sitting down with Macy B and Anna B, the camp's founding and current directors, to talk about their experiences at camp and the wonderful 50th reunion weekend held recently in New Orleans.By Micah Hart
Songleaders are the ultimate camp rock stars, so what must it be like to go from camp to being an actual rock star? We talk to Guster's Ryan Miller, who spent a decade at Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas, before going on to front one of the more popular touring bands of the last 25 years. Join us as we discuss the thrill of being a Color War…
Everyone loves summer camp, right? Apparently not! Writer Mac Schwerin joins to discuss his recent article for Vox entitled "The Case Against Summer Camp" so we can debate the merits of his piece and see if we can't convince him to change his mind. Did we succeed? Take a listen and find out!By Micah Hart
Dave Cutler spent many summers at Ramah Palmer in Massachusetts, and made many amazing memories during his time there. Perhaps his greatest moment, however, was helping Palmer break a 10-year basketball losing streak to their archnemesis, Ramah Berkshires. We dive into the details of this David-vs-Goliath story, plus we discuss taking our children …
Geraldine DeRuiter - that's James Beard nominee Geraldine DeRuiter - had a camp experience that seems ripped from the pages of a coming-of-age teen romance novel. Full of betrayal, revenge, and an almost-too-good-to-be-true happy ending, you'll definitely want to listen to this one. Don't waste a minute and check it out!…
Jess McKenna is a hilarious comedian and the co-host of Off Book: The Improvised Musical, a podcast that would be right at home as an activity at summer camp. But before she got into showbiz she was a long-time camper and staff member at Camp Bravo, a theater camp in Northridge, CA. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and discuss the differe…
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Ep. #56: Valentine's Camp Couple Special #3 with Artie and Jen Lieb
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For the third straight year, we dive into summer lovin' on Valentine's Day with a camp couple feature. Artie and Jen Lieb, who met each other and fell in love at Camp Coleman in Cleveland, GA, chat about their origin story, what it's like to go to camp for the first time as a staff member, and reminisce on Artie's domination of camp sports as well.…
Fireworks on the 4th of July are a staple of summer camp. HuffPost Senior Editor Alana Horowitz Satlin joins to tell one hell of a tale about fireworks gone wrong from her days at Camp Pocono Ridge. Plus we debate the merits of having a birthday at camp, the sports version of camp goggles, and much much more! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!…
Micah and guest Michelle Weltman recount their experiences from attending GUCI's 60th reunion weekend, and how easily you slide right back into your camp ways when back on the campgrounds. Plus a stunner of a first-kiss story, embarrassing coming-of-age issues, and much much more! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!…
Elaine Gibson grew up at summer camp at Camp Blue Ridge in the 1950s, and her kids (including previous guest Seth Davis) and grandkids continue to go to the same camps to this day. We talk about the similarities and differences of camps then and now, plus much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!…
You may know Josh Brener from his hilarious roles on shows like Silicon Valley and Maron, but before all that he was a camper at Echo Hill Ranch Camp in Medina, Texas, famous for being owned by the family of songwriter/comedian/occasional politician Kinky Friedman. Josh shares his stories of his summers at Echo Hill, including his impressive archer…
Annette Richmond loves camp. Not only was she on the Disney show Bug Juice about camp back in the day, but this summer she is starting her own body positive summer camp called Fat Camp. We talk about her experience as a TV star, how camp helps you find comfort in your own skin, and how Micah is more jealous of Annette than any previous guest on the…
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Ep. #50: The C&CW Questionnaire Extravaganza
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It's our Completely Arbitrary Celebratory 50th Anniversary Episode! Featuring listener (and former cohost) stories for each of our questions in the Title Still Pending Campfires and Color Wars Questionnaire! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!By Micah Hart
Comedian and entertainer Robin Gelfenbien was just your average Jewish girl growing up, with one interesting exception - she spent her summers at church camp! Robin shares stories of her time learning different prayers, singing songs, and more! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!By Micah Hart
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Ep. #48: Camp Movie Night - Indian Summer
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It's time for another Camp Movie Night, as Micah is joined by Jare Akchin and Kari O'Hara to break down the movie "Indian Summer". Does it hold up after all these years? Do the camp references stick? Can anyone figure out what people actually wear at camp? Don't waste a minute, take a listen and find out!…
Filmmaker Mike Stasko joins to share his experiences growing up at Camp Kitchikewana in Ontario, Canada, much of which serves as the inspiration for the movie he is making, "Boys vs. Girls". We discuss the effects of older sisters on your dating life, what happens when you go a whole summer without showering, and much much more! Don't waste a minut…
Rebekah Page-Gourley spent the entirety of her adolescence at summer camp. Her husband, Jason Gourley, did not. What's it like to be in a relationship where one of you had such a life-changing experience, and the other...has to listen to stories about it all the time? We find out in the latest episode. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!…
Imagine you went to camp every year with your best friends - then imagine your parents wouldn't let you go for your last year as a camper. The horror! Comedian Dava Krause doesn't have to imagine it, it actually happened to her. She joins to tell her tale of woe, plus musicals gone awry, hot dogs for canteen, and much much more. Don't waste a minut…
Ellie Krupnick spent many a summer at Camp Ramah in the Poconos, and based on her time there co-authored a great piece for HuffPo singling out the 24 Reasons Dating At Camp Is Better Than In The Real World. We dive into some of those reasons, plus explain why napping with your boo during an off period is one of the great treats in life. And much mu…
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Minisode: Like The Time I Almost Got Kicked Out of Camp For Eating a Cheeseburger
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Jonathan Goldman stops by to give a full account of the story told on the last episode, of the time he nearly got kicked out of camp for eating half a cheeseburger (and some corndog nuggets) on the big summer trip to the water park. So much drama! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!By Micah Hart
Molly Tolsky is the editor of Alma, a Jewish pop culture site for millennial women, but before that she was just your average shy girl at summer camp. Join us as we discuss mean girls at camp, the scandal that almost sent campers home from a water park, and much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!…
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Ep. #42: Valentine's Camp Couples Special with Alyssa and Elliot Bear
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Our Valentine's Day tradition continues with another wonderful story of camp romance, as Elliot and Alyssa Bear join to share their journey from strangers meeting in a car the first day of summer at Camp Thunderbird to getting married there just a few years later. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!…
Blake Wexler is a hilarious comedian, and his new album "12 Years of Voicemails from Todd Glass to Blake Wexler" explores his relationship with fellow comedian Todd Glass, who in many ways served as a camp-counselor-like role in Blake's life.We talk about our favorite counselors, the scariest things that ever happened to us at camp, finding camp in…
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Ep. #40: Songleading with Dan Nichols and Flip Frisch
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Few things are more infectious at camp than singing. Longtime songleaders Dan Nichols and Flip Frisch join to discuss what makes a great song session, their favorite silly songs, plus some incredible stories of the things we do for love. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!By Micah Hart
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Ep. #39: Like the Time I Got Fired From Camp for Rocking Too Hard (w/Sara and Sam Richardson)
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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 incr…
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Ep. #38: Like the Time I Made Out With the Son of the Head of Homeland Security (w/ Rebecca Caplan)
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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 gove…
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Ep. #37: Like the Time We Gave Thanks For Camp (w/Jare Akchin and Daniel Kaufman)
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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…
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Ep. #36: Like the Time We Sang All Day Every Day (w/Lisa Loeb)
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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!By Micah Hart
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Ep. #35: Like the Time I Tried To Call My Parents Collect (w/Paul Shirley)
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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 …
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Ep. #34: Like the Time I Wrote A Novel About Coming of Age At Camp (w/Mandy Berman)
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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 …
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Ep. #33: Camp Movie Night - Camp Nowhere Edition
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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!By Micah Hart
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Ep. #32: Like the Time I Got To Play In The Upper Senior Basketball Game (w/Seth Davis)
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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!By Micah Hart
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Ep. #31: Like the Time Wet Hot American Summer Was Based On My Camp Experience (w/David Wain)
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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 su…
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Ep. #30: Like the Time I Asked Out Every Girl at Camp (w/Jason Sattler)
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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…
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Ep. #29: Like The Time Camp Was Ruined By An Electric Razor (w/Stephanie Butnick)
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Deputy editor of Tablet Magazine and co-host of the popular 'Unorthodox' podcast Stephanie Butnick joins Micah to discuss her time at Camp Point O' Pines, the differences between Jewish camps and camps for Jews, and tells a harrowing story of a summer gone wrong thanks to an electric razor (or few). Take a listen!…
