Camp John Waters | Kent, Connecticut
Get ready to grab your vacation plans by the pussy willow because John Waters has entered the travel business.
Before he became a mainstream success with Hairspray and its phenomenally lucrative Broadway musical incarnation, John Waters earned the distinction of being the Pope of Trash. His low-budget, independent films of the late 1960s and '70s are the stuff of legend and continue to find a devoted cult of freaks, weirdos and deviants—three of my favorite demographics (and groups to which I belong in whole or part depending on the day). So when a Google alert I have set for adults-only travel delivered the news of a Camp John Waters, I alerted my core group of vacation companions and we booked the adventure on the spot. The anticipation over the next 11 months would hardly prepare us for what awaited.
We showed up to Club Getaway for the Camp John Waters' third annual installment and worried that we might not fit in with the campers who were embarking on their debaucherous weekend by the lake. But our fears were put to rest the moment we stepped off the chartered bus and saw a sea of grown-ass adults running around in wigs, costumes and far-from-sensible shoes. We knew immediately we'd found another tribe. Unlike any other niche group we've associated with over the years, the Camp John Waters campers are by far the most welcoming, all-inclusive bunch we've ever encountered. Whether gay, straight, trans, young, old, tattooed, pierced or a clean-cut square (like me!), it was one big, happy, functionally dysfunctional family. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is celebrated. Everyone is loved. For one too-short long weekend, the world was a perfect place. With a side of s'mores.
–Steven Lindsey
campjohnwaters.com
Before he became a mainstream success with Hairspray and its phenomenally lucrative Broadway musical incarnation, John Waters earned the distinction of being the Pope of Trash. His low-budget, independent films of the late 1960s and '70s are the stuff of legend and continue to find a devoted cult of freaks, weirdos and deviants—three of my favorite demographics (and groups to which I belong in whole or part depending on the day). So when a Google alert I have set for adults-only travel delivered the news of a Camp John Waters, I alerted my core group of vacation companions and we booked the adventure on the spot. The anticipation over the next 11 months would hardly prepare us for what awaited.
We showed up to Club Getaway for the Camp John Waters' third annual installment and worried that we might not fit in with the campers who were embarking on their debaucherous weekend by the lake. But our fears were put to rest the moment we stepped off the chartered bus and saw a sea of grown-ass adults running around in wigs, costumes and far-from-sensible shoes. We knew immediately we'd found another tribe. Unlike any other niche group we've associated with over the years, the Camp John Waters campers are by far the most welcoming, all-inclusive bunch we've ever encountered. Whether gay, straight, trans, young, old, tattooed, pierced or a clean-cut square (like me!), it was one big, happy, functionally dysfunctional family. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is celebrated. Everyone is loved. For one too-short long weekend, the world was a perfect place. With a side of s'mores.
–Steven Lindsey
campjohnwaters.com
5 Reasons to Visit Camp John Waters
Old-school Accommodations
The sleeping arrangements at Club Getaway, whether for Camp John Waters or another of their adults-only weekends, will take anyone back to childhood summer camp. Or recreate the experience 100% for anyone who didn't grow up attending a camp. Options include dormitory-style group cabins with bunk beds, private cabins of varying capacity (like our four-person room, above), traditional bring-your-own-tent camping and glamping lakeside. I suggest any option with indoor plumbing because I prefer creature comforts over sleeping with actual creatures. |
All-inclusive Booze
All campers receive three meals a day, plus snacks and all-day coffee and tea service, so the camping weekend is already a really good deal. And the food, well, it shocked me at how good it was because I had the lowest of low expectations. Sure, it wasn't fine dining or even Instagram-worthy, but it was easily the best "institutional" food I've eaten. The real bargain of the weekend, however, is the all-inclusive drink package that gives campers unlimited access to booze whenever the bars are open, which is pretty much from morning until late, late, late at night. Bottoms up! |
Celebrity Meet & Greets
Like we imagine a Star Trek convention or gathering of Bronies, celebrity appearances are a huge draw for fans. Of course, at Camp John Waters, the celebrities all hail from his vast, decades-spanning filmography. In addition to mixing and mingling with Mr. Waters himself, our weekend featured meet-and-greets and special events starring Mink Stole, Ricki Lake and iconic casting director Pat Moran. They were gracious, friendly and willing to pose with everyone waiting in line for the opportunity. I tell ya, the Camp John Waters vibe is contagious among everyone, even the Hollywood elite! |
Themes Galore
From costume parties and parades to arts-and-crafts and cabin decorations, there's a John Waters-adjacent theme for just about everything. And our group LIVES for a theme! Many friend groups dressed in matching outfits for nearly every meal or festivity with some truly creative, gloriously trashy results. Plus, the themed events change each year depending on which movie stars are on-hand. This year, Ricki Lake and John Waters both judged a Hairspray-worthy twist competition that had one really major twist at the end. (Of course, as Ricki Lake herself posted on social media, "If you weren't there, you missed it." |
Traditional (and Non-traditional) Camp Activities
Tap into your inner tween with a full roster of typically wholesome camping activities ranging from waterskiing and canoeing on the lake to archery, color wars, zip-lining and campfires with s'mores under the stars. Of course, the Camp John Waters itinerary includes exclusive activities such as a swap meet where campers create goods (and sometimes services) to trade for other goods (and sometimes services)! There's also mud wrestling, daily John Waters movie screenings and a talent show to end all talent shows (because I don't get to see enough titties-on-fire in my regular life). |