Hey, Summer Campers!
Did you know that, like all of you, Denzel Washington went to summer camp before he ever became the famous Denzel we all know and love? That’s right, Coach Herman Boone, himself (if you know him from the Disney film, Remember the Titans, that is) went to summer camp, though he never was a camper.
Born in Mount Vernon, close to New York City, Denzel did not have the best 
upbringing due to location and troubles in his parent’s marriage. His parents broke up when he was 14. Consequently, his mother sent Denzel to a private preparatory school called Oakland Military Academy.
Denzel has always since felt that attending that school caused a big change in his life and helped him to steer his life in the right direction. He attended Texas College and later Fordham University where he received a B.A. in Drama and Journalism. He also played on his college basketball team as a guard. Throughout his time in college, Denzel took up a job as a counselor for Camp Sloane YMCA.
Camp Sloane is a summer camp located in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. Their chief goals for the campers is to enlighten them in the principles of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring for one another. Camp Sloane has been working its magic since 1928.
It was there that people first put the idea in Denzel’s head to pursue a career in acting when he played a part in a staff talent show put on for the campers. When his next fall semester started, he adjusted his focus and enrolled himself at the Lincoln Center campus where he studied acting.
From Shakespearean productions to box office thrillers, Denzel is one of those actors who can breathe life into any character! Summer camp gave Denzel the idea to pursue an acting career. What will it give you? Thanks for reading, Campers.
- John
Love the courage his mother had in making him a strong person especially “putting God in the first thing you do”. He has been truly blessed!