In Camp We Trust
Photo Credit: Camper Savannah Mendelson
In Camp We Trust.
“I want to bring everyone to Northern Wisconsin to the camp I worked at as a brand new nurse. The camp I used for the setting of Bummer Camp. I want people to live inside this book and experience the magic of sleepaway camp. I want them to be the camp.”
This is what I said to my best friends before the launch of BUMMER CAMP. I announced it like it was a done deal, like it was the best plan ever, like who wouldn’t want to go to a camp in Rosholt, Wisconsin, and pretend they were a character in the book I made up?
One-by-one my friends weighed in.
“No new ideas,” said Stephanie Burns, my right hand and the COO of the Tall Poppy Writers. “You told me to say this the next time you come up with something new. I’m sorry. Are you mad? Don’t be mad.”
“It sounds like a great idea. Looks good on paper, but….” My friend Carolyn said, her voice trailing off, letting her wide, skeptical eyes do the talking.
“Go back to bed, Ann,” said Jim. “It’s three AM,”
I did not go back to bed.
I let Peanut outside, gazed at the stars on a balmy night and started plotting a grown-up Lady camp with all of the programming in my totally made-up book, where trouble melted like lemon drops, and weirdos found their home.
And just a few short months later, we did it. Sarah Alice, who I call the lady who helps me, and I planned and executed the first annual immersive launch experience called, you guessed it, Bummer Camp.
The seven words of the iconic song, With a Little Help from My Friends was the at the center of Bummer Camp the book and the experience.
I said, “Let’s go to camp,” and my friends and loads of people I hadn’t met yet piled into planes, trains and automobiles and headed to Wisconsin. We ate cake, made wonky friendship bracelets, and had an auction. We cooked s’mores by campfire, told stories, fell off paddle boards and tried not to get sunburned. Then everybody got a badge.
EVERYBODY GOT A BADGE.
And I cried.
I cried when campers arrived and checked into cabins. I cried while reading a section of my book, and I cried harder during goodbyes and the playing of the iconic song hidden in the pages of the book. A song you would recognize and then thoroughly understand my tears.
I’m not a crier on the whole, but I was so touched by the people that came to camp, so nostalgic for the camp experience of my youth, and so incredibly grateful for the people who believed in my new idea.
They trusted me to care for them.
Just like you trust me when you opened and read this letter. Or when you read my books.
Just like new readers trust their friend’s recommendations of great summer reads.
At the center of everything I write is the kindness of friends and strangers to trust each other. To be vulnerable, smile, leave the comfort of home and find another place of joy.
Sometimes being human is a bummer, but I discovered something exquisitely important this summer.
If you bring people to summer camp in real life or on the page, they will find their place amongst the water, stars, trees, and chirping frogs. They will experience the odd personality or two, understand each other’s stories, and see that there is always a little fun to be had if you eke out a smile while trying to get sticky marshmallow out of your hair.
After camp I said to Sarah Alice, you know, the ladies who helps me, “I want everyone to come to camp. To leave their lives behind for a little respite, to feel the warmth and magic of new friends, and to laugh. And you know what she said, “Not everyone can come, Ann. But they can read your book. That’s the next best thing.” Sarah Alice is very wise. I listen to everything she says.
Xo Ann
Interested in coming to Bummer Camp to spend a bookish weekend with me and four guest authors? To learn more and to sign up to be notified when registration opens for Bummer Camp 2025 click here.
Interested in reading the next best thing? Click here.
Love all of it, and hoping for the joy of joining next summer!
I am so sorry you had to leave but I want to thank you and talk with you more.
The poem, the gift, you are so lovely.
We were so close, enough to bump elbows!!
What a lovely post! It made me cry, reading it. In a good way. I never went to summer camp in my life, and now I want to go!!
I miss you lady who I’ve never met in person but know you as a best friend.
I really want you to come to camp and we will figure that out!
xx
Ahh, it was an amazing weekend. Ann, you are a fantastic writer, coach, planner, caretaker and organizer! 60 women, 5 featured authors, just needed more time for mischief.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to making it come together (bonus: Mother Nature cooperated).
It was an amazing weekend. I couldn’t have done it without you and the other authors.
Mother Nature loves camp!!
xxx
How great to see a note from you again.., it feels like a long time.. and Bummer Camp sounds delightful! Bless you
I now, it was a long time. I missed a whole month.
Thank you so much!
When I read about Bummer Camp, I thought it was the best idea EVER! I was so sorry to not be able to attend. Sounds like it was everything and more. I am so happy you are planning it again for next year, sign me up.
Maybe next year. It was so fun and I want to do it again and again!!
So many fond memories of summer camp experiences in the Adirondacks. I’m looking forward to another Ann Garvin creation!
Me too! Thank you. It was amazing. I really loved every minute.
It sounded and looked like the most amazing time!
Denise,
I wish I could spirit you to my camp next year….
Maybe?
I hope so.
Ann
So glad it worked! Sounds like immense fun. Maybe next year?
Please come next year. Did you sign up on the interest sheet so wwe don’t lose you.
It was so fun and we learned so much!!
Warmly,
Ann
It was really fun. Yes, to next year!!
This sounds amazing! Thank you for this lovely recap! I can’t wait to look into the next one!
It went so much better than I even thought. The camp always does it’s magic.
Did you sign up on the interest form so we don’t forget to ping you!!
Bummer Camp sounds amazing!
If you do it next year I’M COMING!
Summer camp was some of the best times of my life ❤
Jill,
Gah, you should. You would love it. Sign up on the interest sheet so I don’t forget to tell you about it!!
Then I would get to see you!!
Ann
We’re doing it baby. Sign up on the event form, in the event section of my website. hahah Or, click here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAp7jnAhlzAmx7HHUvTajdkNC_KOKVjD3ZiGdGbwJqdVo-QQ/viewform
SAME. I really want to hang out more that is for sure. Come on over. We will dish.
Ann is the summer bummer camp queen !!!! We love you and we love Bummer Camp !!! So excited to learn from your wisdom in Italy with an awesome group!! xoxo
Queen you and I are going to be fire. FIRE I tell you.
I can’t wait for our week.
Now, I have to find something to wear. xxx
This is wonderful. I’m sorry to have missed Bummer Camp (the camp), but am enjoying living vicariously via Bummer Camp (the book). Maybe we can recreate the bougie parts in Italy?
You can come over and bummer camp with me anytime. xx