I received a review copy of Roger Bennett and Jules Shell's Camp Camp: Where Fantasy Island Meets Lord of the Flies, and am pleased to say that it's fantastic. The book is a yearbook-style collection of photos and short anecdotes about sleepaway camp in the 80's and early 90's. For example, meet Georgia Liebman, circa 1990:
"This was from my first summer at Tripp Lake. I remember being very excited to get the only bunk bed. I was even more excited to put up the metal mouth poster I got from my orthodontist. I thought it was cool when I was twelve."
The stories and photos are funny, and it's a great reminder for how foolish trends are. After all, could there really have been a time or place where having the right Champion sweatshirt was vital?
I'm not crazy about the book's cover or terrible title - - I doubt I would have given it a second look in the bookstore. But I anticipate rereading Camp Camp and sharing it with my family. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy.
You can also visit the authors' site to submit anecdotes or photos for their next book For Those Who Tried To Rock...We Salute You.
