cabin pressure, more than just a new book by josh wolk

so last week i went to a reading that writer josh wolk did for his book, cabin presure, about how as an adult he went back to camp one last time to serve as a counselor right before he got married. a revisit to his younger years, noting all the hilarity and self-searching epiphanies.

as he read excerpts from his book, i was reminded of the one time i went to camp. i was in 8th grade and my school sent me to attend a "leadership camp." i had never been in a situation like being plopped in a random camp far away from the comforts of suburban life with a bunch of other nerdly adolescents. but there i was, running through swarms of gnats to get to the bathroom and playing tug of war.

it was scary, but overall, definitely did help build my confidence and my social skills. of course, the only part i really vividly remember was at the closing night dance party. it was the first time i ever danced with a boy... and at the time, i was shocked... because HE had asked ME. and i never thought a boy would ask me to dance.

the world is a crazy place!

after the reading, i began to notice signs of how camp can revolutionize your life in tv and film. meatballs. salute your shorts. wet hot american summer. the simple life goes to camp. (although i think i can safely say that paris and nicole probably didn't learn much from camp, though maybe jail will be their "camp.")

how crazy??? but it makes me think about camp in a way i never had before. thank you, josh wolk.