Campfires and Color Wars

Micah spends a few days teaching podcasting at Camp Ramah New England, and hosts a roundtable discussion with several campers to discuss some of the hot-button issues facing camps today from a teen's perspective. A really interesting conversation and a lot of fun!

Comedian Antonia Lassar went to summer camp for almost the entirety of her childhood, and she enjoyed...actually not that much of it. Why was that? We dive into it in a hilarious conversation about anxiety, performing, twinning, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate with our annual camp couples special, featuring relationships that came together because of summer camp in one way or another! Part 2 features Samantha and Brian Isenstein, who share their story of an epic proposal taking place in the shadow of Mount Rushmore. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate with our annual camp couples special, featuring relationships that came together because of summer camp in one way or another! Part 3 features Lisa and Benjamin David, who share their story of a long-standing friendship that slowly evolved into romance at Camp Harlam. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate with our annual camp couples special, featuring relationships that came together because of summer camp in one way or another! Part 1 features Judy and Ian Silver, who share their story of a late-blossoming camp romance at Goldman Union Camp Institute. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Graphic novelist Eric Glickman joins to share his adventures growing up at camp and how they led him to create a graphic novel loosely based on them! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

It's a crossover episode as The Cocoon Podcast co-host Kim Lindauer joins to share her favorite memories of growing up at Jacobs Camp in Mississippi, including a syrup-chugging contest gone wrong, the joy of planning evening programs, and not being good at skits because of always breaking character. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Author Emma Carlson Berne joins to talk about her summer camp-set book Shabbat Sabotage as well as her experiences at a variety of camps growing up. We talk about Amish camp, adventures in leg-shaving, and much much more! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Poet, writer, and performer Caroline Rothstein joins the podcast to revisit her time growing up at Camp Walden in Maine, and discusses her transformation from quiet, shy kid to loud, boisterous show lead. Plus we discuss first kisses, going to camp far from home, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Educator, performer, and activist Rebecca Kling joins to share her memories of growing up at a variety of day camps in the Chicago area as well as her involvement with Camp Aranu'Tiq, a traditional sleepaway camp for trans youths. We have a great conversation about the evolving attitudes of camp towards inclusion, plus share stories of parody song-writing and more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Sarah Lefton joins the podcast to talk about her experiences (good and bad) at summer camps throughout her childhood and adulthood, including the time she got left behind at an amusement park(!) and the time while working at camp she created the iconic "Yo Semite!" t-shirt. Don't waste a minute, take a listen.

Writer-director Brenden Gallagher joins to discuss his time going to theatre camp and his list of the most appealing fictional summer camps in pop culture. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Eric Schaar, writer for the Disney show Bunk'd joins the podcast to talk about working on a summer-camp themed show and how his own experiences have played a role in what he does for a living. Plus we talk about homesickness, the "crying tree", and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

The amazing and talented women behind Rogue Shul, Caroline Dorn and Ellie Klein Goldman join the podcast to share their stories of summer camp and how it shaped their wit and creativity with their popular Twitter account and thriving consulting practice. We discuss creativity in camp punishments, what happens when a theater director goes a bit off the rails, and the songs that most remind us of camp. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

It's another Camp Movie Night as Micah is joined by Arielle Nissenblatt, Shira Moskowitz, and Michael Wormser to discuss the 1979 camp movie Meatballs, Bill Murray's first big starring role. How does it hold up after 40+ years? Is there enough coverage of the campers? How old are these people supposed to be anyway? You know what - IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER. Warning: There is frank discussion of sexual assault in this episode, so please use discretion if the subject matter is too uncomfortable.

Multi-talented performer Jonah Platt is part of a large, multigenerational camp family and joins to share some hilarious stories of his time growing up at Ramah Ojai, including a prank so good a national publication did an oral history of it! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

The hosts of the Pray For Us podcast Jacey Naccarella and Jessica Dollin join to share their memories of camp growing up, including stories about mascot flirtations, dino nuggets, and underwear humiliation. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Mark Young joins the podcast to share stories of growing up at Camp Wise and how the lessons he learned there contributed to his current work helping organizations respond to crises. Plus we talk songleading and remember the days when we had no idea what was going on the world outside of camp. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Writer and author Lana Schwartz joins the podcast to share stories of summer camp including winning a very important beet-eating contest, a not-well-thought-out insane asylum prank on a cabin of 7-year olds, and the perfection that is the movie Wet Hot American Summer. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

Hilarious comedian Pamela Schuller joins us for a brand-new episode to talk about her time at summer camp and how much things have changed over the years to make camp more inclusive for campers with different needs. She shares an incredible story of getting kidnapped by her unit, how she got her start as a comedian as a camper, and shares a brand new camp game that is (isn't) sweeping the nation! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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 seemed. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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!

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 Letter Lotto, hiding staff romances from campers, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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 a minute, take a listen!

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 Nicole recount their experience making the film as well as Jim's memories of being a camper at Jened. What an incredible story and what an incredible movie! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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!

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 take a listen!

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!

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 Hawkins camp dances, flash mobs, and the thrill of spending time in the staff lounge. Don't waste a minute, wash your hands, and take a listen!

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 along the way. Don't waste a minute, stay safe and wash your hands, and take a listen!

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 - and stick around for a musical surprise at the very end! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

With all the talk of camp nostalgia, what's it like to be on staff at camp today? Ben Lieberman, who is currently a staff member at Camp Gilboa in Big Bear, California, joins to dish on modern camping, what's changed and what's the same from our childhoods, and more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

It's Valentine's Day, which means love is in the air, and we're back for the fourth straight year with delightful tales of camp love. Join us as we talk with couples Janet and Adam Guy and Mimi and Marc Yoskowitz about how their relationships connect to their summer camp experiences. It may be cold outside, but this episode will warm your heart! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

We all miss our days of yesteryear at summer camp. But what if...you could go back? Like right now? That's what Trybal Gatherings is all about, and Carine Warsawski joins to discuss the camp experiences she is creating for adults as well as share her own amazing stories from growing up at Camp Eisner in the Berkshires. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

President of the American Camp Association Tom Rosenberg has had a long and varied career in camping, and he joins to share some of his favorite memories while shedding light on why camping today is more important than ever. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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.

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 leader, awkward first kisses, and what Guster song he'd want to be in a camp songbook. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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!

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 to camp for the first time, and he shares perhaps the most incredible story of camp theatre we've ever heard.

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 differences between month-long and week-long camp, mafia, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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 archery skills, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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 show. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!

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!

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!

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 minute, take a listen!