Hey, Summer Campers!

You know who else was a fan of summer camp? A man named Burgess Meredith. Despite the fact that he’s said to have been “one of the most accomplished actors of the [20th] century,” I’d be surprised if any of you knew who he was as his death most likely came before most of you were even born.

It might just be me, but I think he’s probably most popular for his role as The Penguin from the original, live-action ‘Batman’ television series that starred Adam West.

By 1997, Burgess died a 90-year-old man. But born in 1907, he became a star of the stage as well as the screen from the early thirties on. He also tried his hand (rather successfully) at directing later on in his life. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1974 for his Broadway staging of an adaptation of James Joyce’s writings.

But before he did any of that, Burgess had his humble beginnings much like all of you today—at summer camp. Camp Dudley in New York, to be specific. Camp Dudley is the oldest summer camp in America that’s still in operation today. It would have to be so old to have been the summer camp of Burgess! Everything Summer Camp is proud to work with Camp Dudley—a summer camp with a history to it.

After his camp days, Burgess graduated from his high school and then went on to study at Amherst College—Class of 1931. After his college days came to an end, he served his country in World War II as a captain of the United States Army Air Forces until 1944. At that point he was discharged to star in a war movie being made. He played the role of Ernie Pyle, war correspondent.

From then on, Burgess stayed active in show business for over 60 years. In his time, Burgess won several Emmy Awards and became the first recipient of the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor twice. He was also nominated for a couple Academy Awards.

So be like Burgess, kids, and reach for the stars; maybe you’ll become one yourself! Thanks for reading.

- John

Hey there, Summer Campers!

For today’s Blog post from Everything Summer Camp, I’m telling you about a famous woman who was once a summer camper just like all of you. Her name is Jewel Kilcher. But you probably know her better as just, Jewel. This incredibly famous singer and songwriter has lived a rather interesting, surprising life. No one ever would have thought that this young girl would grow up to be as famous as she turned out to be!

Though she was born in Payson, Utah, Jewel grew up in Homer, Alaska where she lived with her father as well as her grandfather for some time. Her grandfather had been a state senator and a delegate to the Alaska State Constitutional Convention. Living in Alaska meant living in a very different lifestyle than what most of us are probably used to.

The home where she was raised had no indoor plumbing. Her and her father used an outhouse whenever nature called. They also earned their living going around and singing in local bars and taverns—this is where Jewel picked up on her singing voice (not to mention her yodeling skills).

She attended high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, majoring in operatic voice. Interlochen Center for the Arts also offers a summer camp experience which Jewel attended as well. It was at this time that Jewel picked up the guitar and learned to play the instrument. By the time she was 16, she was writing songs.

After school, Jewel embarked upon her journeys, traveling all around the country and living out of her car all the while. She made her money performing on the street and doing small gigs. She started gaining recognition here and there in coffee shops. As her popularity grew, she began collaborating with other artists and in time, Jewel made her way to the top.

She’s received four Grammy Award nominations. Her album “Pieces of You” went 15 times platinum! All this from the Alaskan girl who yodeled with her father in local taverns! What will you become?

- John

Hey, Campers!

Show of hands—who here is a fan of Jeff Daniels? Obviously you can’t see it, but my hand is way up and I’m willing to bet that most other hands are raised up high too. Did you know that Jeff was a summer camper just like you when he was around your age?

You may remember Jeff from such films as 101 Dalmations, RV (a classic camping movie), Fly Away Home, and–of course–his calling card Dumb and Dumber.

He participated at Bruin Lake Boy Scout Camp where he learned valuable lessons to survive in the wilderness using tools and to listen to instructions. He learned about environmental conservation, community, being physically fit, academic studies, and sports.

His mother Marjorie gave birth to Jeff in Athens, Georgia in 1955. But her and her husband, Robert only stayed in Georgia for the first six weeks of Jeff’s life. After that they moved from the south and raised Jeff in Chelsea Michigan.

He went to Central Michigan University and was very involved with the theater program during his time there. When he was 21, Daniels decided to switch things up and focus solely on theater at the Eastern Michigan University drama school. There he participated in a special event called the Bicentennial Repertory program that really launched his acting career for the stage.

As for his stage acting, Jeff has been both on and off Broadway and has been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor. He’s also been nominated four times for his performances on the screen.

He still lives in Michigan where he has founded a nonprofit theater company called the Purple Rose Theater Company. More than just an actor, Jeff is a playwright as well as a musician—a triple threat!

You can catch Jeff and his old buddy Jim Carrey as they reunite their old roles as Harry and Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber To.

Jeff learned a lot in Boy Scouts for his summer camp experience. What will yours bring you? That’s all for today, Camp Fans. Till next time.

- John

Hey, Campers!

If you had been born 30 years ago, you would have grown up watching Joey Lawrence on TV—despite the fact that he was only born 37 years ago. So actually, you would have grown up watching Joey Lawrence grow up on TV. Joey’s been starring and making television appearances since he was five years old!

He was born Joseph Lawrence Mignogna, Jr. to Donna, a personnel manager, and Joseph Sr., an insurance broker. When Joey was a kid, his family’s last name was changed simply to Lawrence. Joey grew up with two younger brothers, Matthew and Andrew—both of whom became actors as well.

Just like you, Joey went to summer camp when he was your age. He attended Southampton Summer Day Camp in Pennsylvania which was founded only three years before Joey was born. What’s impressive is that even before his days at summer camp, Joey had already appeared a television multiple times!

That’s right! He first appeared when he was about five years old in an old Cracker Jack commercial from the 80’s. Right around the same time, he appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and performed “Give My Regards to Broadway”. This was just the tip of the iceberg!

Joey went on to guest star in TV shows here and there until he landed the role of Joey Donovan on NBC’s “Gimme a Break!” from 1983. “Gimme a Break!” lasted Joey until he was 11 years old. The following year after the show ended he provided the voice of Oliver from Disney’s “Oliver & Company”.

After another few years, Joey co-starred in the hit TV show Blossom. He played yet another Joey, Joey Russo—(whoa). He played Joey Russo for five years until the show came to an end when he was 19. After that, he played in a show called Brotherly Love which actually starred him along with his real life brothers!

Joey hasn’t stopped there either! He’s been in another show and guest starred in a number of others. In other words, the man stays busy! How busy can you be?

Hey, Campers!

Everywhere you turn in Hollywood, it seems like everybody involved in ‘show biz’ attended summer camp when they were younger. I’ve written about a decent number of them, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

Today I want to tell you about Jon Favreau who (like his colleagues, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Downey Jr., and Adam Levine) went to French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts in his childhood. Located on a private lake called Sand Pond in the western area of the Catskill Mountains, just outside Hancock, New York, French Woods has a blast every summer.

If you have interest in the performing arts, French Woods is a camp for you to check out. They offer programs in dance, theater, music, film, sports, and much more. Jon enjoyed his camp stay and developed some of his acting skills while he was there too.

He didn’t stop there, though. Jon has expanded his skill set to include screenwriting as well as directing and he has also dabbled in the realm of comedy and voice work. Not everyone knows that Jon directed movies, but everyone knows the movies that Jon’s directed: there’s Elf, the Iron Man trilogy, Cowboys & Aliens, as well as Zathura.

Jon got his first taste of recognition for the short role he played on the hit sitcom, ‘Friends’. He played Pete Becker, Monica Geller’s (Courteney Cox’s) millionaire boyfriend.

It was long after that that he started working alongside stars like Vince Vaughn (with whom Jon’s become great friends) as well as with Will Ferrell, James Caan, Diane Keaton, and Jack Nicholson!

Receiving so much enjoyment and passion through his career, Jon continues to make appearances on television and in the movies. His most recent work was once again with Mr. Vince Vaughn in ‘The Break-Up’ and he played the manager of a fast-food restaurant in the show ‘My Name is Earl’.

Take a good look at where summer camp took Jon Favreau. Where will it take you?

- John