'Camp' Camp - The all-inclusive, week-long real summer camp experience for LGBT adults
Morning Swim photo by Israel Ferraz
'Camp' Camp
The all-inclusive, week-long real summer camp experience for LGBT adults
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
About 45 miles west of Portland, Maine, a 2.5 hour drive from Boston or a 7 hour drive from New York City, there is a place where LGBT adults can enjoy summer camp! Who knew?
'Camp' Camp is the friendly, inclusive gay community where summer is still the best time ever!
We asked 'Camp' Camp Owner/Director Kerry Riffle to tell us about 'Camp' Camp.
How would you describe 'Camp' Camp in one sentence?
‘Camp’ Camp, now in its 21st year, is America’s premiere summer camp for LGBT adults, providing an all-inclusive, week-long real summer camp experience focused on relaxation, exploration, and building community in a diverse, welcoming atmosphere.
What can you tell us about the history of 'Camp' Camp?
‘Camp’ Camp’s original founder, Bill Cole, conceived of Camp back in 1996 as an alternative to alcohol- and sex-focused bars and other venues.
A “late bloomer”, Bill came out at 49 and was disappointed to find a lack of community-focused places where LGBT people could truly connect with each other. So, he decided to utilize his camp director background and started a week-long summer camp for gay and lesbian adults in August of 1997. (The “BT” was added several years later.)
Camp’s current Owner/Director, Kerry Riffle, has been involved with Camp since that very first year, when he was Camp’s Theatre Instructor and a Rainbow Group Leader.
When Bill decided to step aside in 2005 to pursue other projects, he asked Kerry to take over the reigns. In 1997, Camp welcomed just under 90 Campers & Staff - and two-thirds of attendees were part of Camp’s Staff! In 2016 (our 20th Anniversary Season), we hosted 240 Campers & Staff, with the Staff now only constituting about half of Camp’s attendees.
Camp’s unique Staff program is our version of a “sliding scale”, allowing people to attend Camp at reduced rates in exchange for hours worked during the week.
Who visits 'Camp' Camp? All ages and body shapes?
We are very pleased that ‘Camp’ Camp continues to attract a wide variety of LGBTQ adults - of all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, gender identities, and sexual orientations - from across the country and even a handful from around the globe.
Generally, our crowds tend to be about 60% men and 40% women, ages 21 and over. (In 2016, our youngest Camper was 22 and our oldest was 74.)
About 80% of attendees are single or attending without their partner, while the other 20% are couples vacationing together.
We pride ourselves on making all those who wish to join us feel at home and think the fact that we tend to have a consistent return rate of over 75% means we are succeeding. In fact, in 2016, 45% of attendees had been at Camp for 5 years or more.
What can you tell us about the guest rooms and lodgings of 'Camp' Camp?
We lease an actual summer camp facility located about 45 miles west of Portland, Maine with lodging in communal cabins that sleep 6-20 men or women, with one gender-neutral/co-ed option available.
Being a summer camp, the facilities are rustic but comfortable (so don’t expect the Four Seasons!). However, all cabins feature bathrooms with hot & cold running water, private shower stalls, and electricity. Sleeping bags and pillows are available for loan at no cost for those traveling to Maine via air travel, but Campers are responsible for providing their own sheets, pillowcases, and towels.
What can you tell us about the amenities of 'Camp' Camp?
The facility we lease for Camp is a well-equipped summer camp, complete with a beautiful lake front with a sand beach, dock, canoes, and sailboats; a large, welcoming two-story Main Lodge with fireplace where we gather for meals and numerous social events throughout the week; athletic fields; clay tennis courts; an adventure (“ropes”) course & climbing wall; a theatre; and arts & crafts studios dedicated to such activities as pottery, stained glass, dance, cooking, and more.
Three restaurant-quality meals a day are created and prepared by a professional chef and professional kitchen staff. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available at each meal, and our chef does his best to use locally-sourced ingredients as much as possible.
Beer & wine is served at select evening social events during the week, as well as during our Best Time Wine Bar select evenings from 10:30pm - 12:30am. Alcohol served at evening events is included in your fees with late-night bar purchases incurring an additional charge.
What are some of the events held at 'Camp' Camp?
'Camp’ Camp is structured just like a sleep-away camp for kids, so our all-inclusive rate includes not only all meals, lodging, and round-trip transportation out to Camp from Portland, Maine airport or bus/train stations, but also a full slate of athletic, outdoor, and arts & crafts activities.
While our activities schedule changes slightly summer to summer, it’s usually a safe bet you’ll be able to choose from such traditional summer camp activities like lake swimming, canoeing, pottery, stained glass, softball, art classes, volleyball, tie-dye, an adventure course & climbing wall, and tennis.
More adult-focused options like Broadway dance, figure drawing, and writing have been a part of our offerings for awhile now, as well.
Everyone makes their own schedule during the week, so Campers can be as active or inactive as you like. In addition to all the daytime activities, we also offer a different social event each evening, like our annual Barn Dance (with live callers & fiddlers!), Talent/No Talent Show, and Tea Dance to other rotating events like a Lip-Sync Throwdown!, Karaoke Lounge, and Drag Bingo.
While all activities and events are included in your registrations fees, a few activities like Sightseeing and Jewelry - when offered - may involve supplemental fees. Private massages are also usually available for an additional fee.
Conclusion
'Camp' Camp offers a friendly, inclusive gay community where summer is still the best time ever!
Learn more about 'Camp' Camp at www.campcamp.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BestTimeEver
You can phone 347.453.5257 or email [email protected]
The all-inclusive, week-long real summer camp experience for LGBT adults
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
About 45 miles west of Portland, Maine, a 2.5 hour drive from Boston or a 7 hour drive from New York City, there is a place where LGBT adults can enjoy summer camp! Who knew?
'Camp' Camp is the friendly, inclusive gay community where summer is still the best time ever!
We asked 'Camp' Camp Owner/Director Kerry Riffle to tell us about 'Camp' Camp.
How would you describe 'Camp' Camp in one sentence?
‘Camp’ Camp, now in its 21st year, is America’s premiere summer camp for LGBT adults, providing an all-inclusive, week-long real summer camp experience focused on relaxation, exploration, and building community in a diverse, welcoming atmosphere.
What can you tell us about the history of 'Camp' Camp?
‘Camp’ Camp’s original founder, Bill Cole, conceived of Camp back in 1996 as an alternative to alcohol- and sex-focused bars and other venues.
A “late bloomer”, Bill came out at 49 and was disappointed to find a lack of community-focused places where LGBT people could truly connect with each other. So, he decided to utilize his camp director background and started a week-long summer camp for gay and lesbian adults in August of 1997. (The “BT” was added several years later.)
Camp’s current Owner/Director, Kerry Riffle, has been involved with Camp since that very first year, when he was Camp’s Theatre Instructor and a Rainbow Group Leader.
When Bill decided to step aside in 2005 to pursue other projects, he asked Kerry to take over the reigns. In 1997, Camp welcomed just under 90 Campers & Staff - and two-thirds of attendees were part of Camp’s Staff! In 2016 (our 20th Anniversary Season), we hosted 240 Campers & Staff, with the Staff now only constituting about half of Camp’s attendees.
Camp’s unique Staff program is our version of a “sliding scale”, allowing people to attend Camp at reduced rates in exchange for hours worked during the week.
Who visits 'Camp' Camp? All ages and body shapes?
We are very pleased that ‘Camp’ Camp continues to attract a wide variety of LGBTQ adults - of all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, gender identities, and sexual orientations - from across the country and even a handful from around the globe.
Generally, our crowds tend to be about 60% men and 40% women, ages 21 and over. (In 2016, our youngest Camper was 22 and our oldest was 74.)
About 80% of attendees are single or attending without their partner, while the other 20% are couples vacationing together.
We pride ourselves on making all those who wish to join us feel at home and think the fact that we tend to have a consistent return rate of over 75% means we are succeeding. In fact, in 2016, 45% of attendees had been at Camp for 5 years or more.
What can you tell us about the guest rooms and lodgings of 'Camp' Camp?
We lease an actual summer camp facility located about 45 miles west of Portland, Maine with lodging in communal cabins that sleep 6-20 men or women, with one gender-neutral/co-ed option available.
Being a summer camp, the facilities are rustic but comfortable (so don’t expect the Four Seasons!). However, all cabins feature bathrooms with hot & cold running water, private shower stalls, and electricity. Sleeping bags and pillows are available for loan at no cost for those traveling to Maine via air travel, but Campers are responsible for providing their own sheets, pillowcases, and towels.
What can you tell us about the amenities of 'Camp' Camp?
The facility we lease for Camp is a well-equipped summer camp, complete with a beautiful lake front with a sand beach, dock, canoes, and sailboats; a large, welcoming two-story Main Lodge with fireplace where we gather for meals and numerous social events throughout the week; athletic fields; clay tennis courts; an adventure (“ropes”) course & climbing wall; a theatre; and arts & crafts studios dedicated to such activities as pottery, stained glass, dance, cooking, and more.
Three restaurant-quality meals a day are created and prepared by a professional chef and professional kitchen staff. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available at each meal, and our chef does his best to use locally-sourced ingredients as much as possible.
Beer & wine is served at select evening social events during the week, as well as during our Best Time Wine Bar select evenings from 10:30pm - 12:30am. Alcohol served at evening events is included in your fees with late-night bar purchases incurring an additional charge.
What are some of the events held at 'Camp' Camp?
'Camp’ Camp is structured just like a sleep-away camp for kids, so our all-inclusive rate includes not only all meals, lodging, and round-trip transportation out to Camp from Portland, Maine airport or bus/train stations, but also a full slate of athletic, outdoor, and arts & crafts activities.
While our activities schedule changes slightly summer to summer, it’s usually a safe bet you’ll be able to choose from such traditional summer camp activities like lake swimming, canoeing, pottery, stained glass, softball, art classes, volleyball, tie-dye, an adventure course & climbing wall, and tennis.
More adult-focused options like Broadway dance, figure drawing, and writing have been a part of our offerings for awhile now, as well.
Everyone makes their own schedule during the week, so Campers can be as active or inactive as you like. In addition to all the daytime activities, we also offer a different social event each evening, like our annual Barn Dance (with live callers & fiddlers!), Talent/No Talent Show, and Tea Dance to other rotating events like a Lip-Sync Throwdown!, Karaoke Lounge, and Drag Bingo.
While all activities and events are included in your registrations fees, a few activities like Sightseeing and Jewelry - when offered - may involve supplemental fees. Private massages are also usually available for an additional fee.
Conclusion
'Camp' Camp offers a friendly, inclusive gay community where summer is still the best time ever!
Learn more about 'Camp' Camp at www.campcamp.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BestTimeEver
You can phone 347.453.5257 or email [email protected]
Article by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Copyright 2017 Sunny Harbor Publishing
Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956
Phone: 321-446-7552
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org
Copyright 2017 Sunny Harbor Publishing
Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956
Phone: 321-446-7552
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org
Photos provided by 'Camp' Camp
