Ep. 315: I Survived Gay Summer Camp (And I'm Still Traumatized) | The Gay Bit

In this week's Gay Bit, Zach finally unpacks a story he's been sitting on since 2004: the time his husband Andrew talked him and their friend Tony into a week at "Camp Camp," an adult LGBTQ+ sleepaway camp in rural Maine.What followed was less "magical queer retreat" and more survival horror — rusty sink water, a shower shared with granddaddy long-legs spiders, a toilet that wasn't bolted to the floor, zero cell service, and a camera-happy stranger who wouldn't stop photographing Zach and Tony. Add in mandatory "rainbow group" sharing circles, a camper who burst into tears on day one, a total power outage on the last night, and Tony vanishing into the woods with the camp director — and Zach's week goes from awkward to unforgettable.Between forced square dancing, a chaotic last-minute drag show, a near-fainting incident in a pitch-black hot tub, and Andrew's sudden leather-daddy era, Zach details exactly why this was not his scene — while still giving credit to the people for whom Camp Camp is a beloved yearly tradition.It's chaotic, it's messy, it's very gay, and it's finally off Zach's chest.In this episode:The backstory: moving from Brooklyn to Miami with husband AndrewGetting talked into "Camp Camp," an adult LGBTQ+ sleepaway camp in MaineCabin conditions: rusty water, no shower on-site, a toilet that isn't bolted downThe spider-shower incidentA mysterious camera guy who won't stop taking photos"Rainbow groups," a crying camper, and forced daily sharing circlesTony disappears into the woods with camp director JanDay trips that were actually fun: Mount Washington, kayaking, potteryThe last-night drag show and Andrew's new leather bandA total power outage and a very dark hot tub scareWhy Camp Camp works for some people — just not for Zach  Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.