Recreating Summer Camp
by aliciak - September 27, 2008
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Remember summer camp? Bunk beds and cabins and the arts and crafts room and s'mores and swimming in lakes and playing in the woods? Okay, I never actually went to camp, so I'm drawing from the tv show Salute Your Shorts and various movies like Poison Ivy. New York seems like a strange place to recreate your summer camp experience, but it is indeed possible.
1) Recreating the Scene
Hold off on looking for the perfect marshmallow roasting stick and making nature scenes out of assorted pasta, because first, it’s important to set the scene. I think it would be fun to have a camp-themed bedroom, but I imagine sleeping in a tent, bunk bed and/or sleeping bag may get old. Nonetheless, let’s get to it.
Camping in Times Square
Look, you don’t need to leave the city to go camping! You can organize a camping “trip” to Times Square like my friend Amit Gupta did. Maybe you can’t start a fire or roast marshmallows, but you can order pizza like they decided to do!
Ikea
1 Beard Street Brooklyn, NY 11231
More than tents, nothing says summer camp like bunk beds! Preferably uncomfortable ones with exposed springs, some stains and no frills whatsoever. Stick that in a similarly no frills cabin, add some interesting smells and you’ll have a summer camp “bedroom.” Building a cabin sounds arduous, so do the urban thing and get a bunk bed from Ikea.
Paragon Athletic Goods Corp
867 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
I never feel like I’m in New York when in Paragon Sports and I’m not sure why. There’s something too homey about it, as it’s not at all like a Modell’s or Dick’s. But you’re going to need a tent and camping gear, and since there are no gargantuan Outdoor Worlds in the area, to Paragon it is.
I never feel like I’m in New York when in Paragon Sports and I’m not sure why. There’s something too homey about it, as it’s not at all like a Modell’s or Dick’s. But you’re going to need a tent and camping gear, and since there are no gargantuan Outdoor Worlds in the area, to Paragon it is.
2) Revisit Summer Camp Movies and TV Shows
Man, there are a lot of them! Most of the films depicting the quintessential American activity of summer camp are, unfortunately, bad. But then again, camp sucks for a lot of kids too, so it’s only fitting that the films do too.
- Ernest Goes to Camp-I’d rather not waste my precious intelligence on analyzing the cinematic quality of any Ernest movies
- Wet Hot American Summer-I hate the name and haven’t seen it!
- Meatballs-a bad Bill Murray film I’m afraid, but I’d take him as my camp counselor any day.
- Poison Ivy-nope, not the one with Drew Barrymore but the one with Michael J. Fox as a camp counselor. I was strangely into this movie, even though rolling around in poison ivy totally grosses me out.
- Camp Nowhere-perhaps that can be the name of your faux summer camp?
Meatballs
Bill Murray at this finest. Wait, no, that isn’t true at all. But he still manages to be a good deadpan counselor in this opening scene.
Frowny S'more
I try to think about the feelings of food, if they existed, concentrating on the foods that are exposed to high levels of heat and are further maltreated by being smashed between crackers saddens me, hence the frown. :( Where’s the love?
3) Homemade Camp Food Options
I prefer camp food to that of summer camp food since the latter probably resembles school cafeteria grub in taste and quality. No thank you! But, s’mores, hot dogs, what my family calls “doughboys” and all things grilled? Yes, please! If you forego the drastic suggestions in this guide, such as buying bunk beds and camping out in Manhattan, at the very least, reminisce with tasty camp food!
How to Make a Doughboy
I’m not sure where they originated or who in my family started the tradition at our cook-outs and campfires, but we always made doughboys filled with jelly. How do you make one? It sounds simple, but it’s a great art to make one perfectly without charring it badly. In other words, it requires patience and a good 10-15 minutes of roasting over the flame. My dad is the absolute best doughboy maker.
Ingredients
1 can of refrigerated Pillsbury biscuit dough
butter
jelly
You also need a roasting stick and some foil.
“Recipe”
- Wrap 4 inches of foil around one end of the stick.
- Take out 1 or 2 biscuit blobs and wrap around the stick to almost the end of the foil. It should be sealed up at the top.
- PATIENTLY roast over fire, turning, until evenly golden brown.
- Carefully remove the hot doughboy from stick and fill with butter and jelly.
I think some people make doughboys from “scratch,” meaning you make biscuit dough yourself instead of buying the pre-made stuff.
4) Restaurant Camp Food Options
I’ve done the s’more thing at home but it lacks a certain…luster? If I use the microwave or go the truly lame route and “roast” the marshmallow on a fork over the burner, it doesn’t quite achieve the camp food feel. Luckily, there are restaurants in town who will do the work for you! Well, actually, a lot of the s’more-making places will bring out a little flame and supplies, and you still make the marshmallow sandwiches yourself. Fun!!!!
Cosi
53 E 8th St, New York, NY 10003
The first time I went to Cosi was specifically for the s’mores. A bit scary to have that open flame right there on the table, especially as I’ve been known to start a kitchen fire or two in my day.
The first time I went to Cosi was specifically for the s’mores. A bit scary to have that open flame right there on the table, especially as I’ve been known to start a kitchen fire or two in my day.
Camp
179 Smith Street Brooklyn, NY 11201
You had me at “Candyland.” Board games! But not just those smart games like Scrabble, but even Candyland. This is a rare find, people, and although only recently did I realize that there is absolutely no room for strategy in playing Candyland and it’s quite a passive game to play, I love it.
Oh right, so…camp theme here! There’s a fireplace and even a drink called the “Dirty Girl Scout” and, of course, the requisite s’mores make an appearance. Embrace the kitsch.
5) Top it Off with a Song
When you’re not busy in the arts and crafts cabin or jumping through tires or learning “team-building skills,” you’re probably singing ridiculous songs. That will FOREVER be ingrained in your mind. A little Koombuya, anyone? Singing in a circle around a campfire is highly recommended, but maybe not in your apartment. But using all those craft skills you learned at camp, you can make a pretend fire out of construction paper and sticks. Now let’s all join hands…
The Ultimate Camp Resource
Not only does this site have many songs, but it’s got SKITS as well! Oh yeah, and those dreaded meet and greet interactions called icebreakers. Just the word “icebreaker” makes me cringe, so hone in on some of the songs instead.
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Awww…look at the frowny s’more! SO darn cute!
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