I attended sleepaway camp in Northeastern Pennsylvania every summer from the time I was seven until I turned 22. Sixteen summers in a utopian bubble. Truthfully, there's nothing else in the world quite like the camp experience, from the second the buses roll away from your parents waving at the curb 'til the sun rises on the final morning of the summer session.
The best part of camp without fail, though, is Color War. We'd split the camp up into two teams and slug it out on the ballfields for five days. If anyone wanted to make the greatest documentary in history, this is the topic. Ultimately, the week-long competition culminated with Sing Night, with the two teams belting out a Fight Song (or march) and a Comic Song, then wrapping up with a heart-felt Alma Mater.
And that's what makes the following idea really appealing to me. Jambands.com reports:
"Color War is a summer sleepaway camp tradition in which attendees are divided into two sides. For years some have opined that such a condition takes place whenever the Disco Biscuits appear on a bill opening for another band, polarizing the audience into two distinct factions: Biscuits Kids and Others.
Well Camp Bisco IV will feature a deeper division as those folks are invited go head to head (and headies to headies) with their own in a number of competitive and semi-competitive events. Anyone who will be attending the festival and wishes to participate is encouraged to email colorwar@gmail.com. Camp Bisco IV: The Trance-Formation will take place on August 26 and 27 in Van Etten, NY."
Tug o' war, potato races, legendary softball and basketball games, whatever will be...will be. And instead of amateur song-writing and singing, the two sides can dance together to the final "real" performances of the Biscuits.
Let's get it on, Bisco fans.
I went to Camp Westmont in Orson/Poyntelle, PA. I was never a big fan of Color War until 1993. The year I became a man aka was a Color War Major. We won of course :)
At our camp sing consisted of Opening Song (really rockin')/skit/March/skit/Alma Mater/Closing
Westmont sucks, man! I was a Tyler Hill guy...We used to play you guys in Wayne County sports and I never liked Westmont. Eh, actually, I don't think we liked any other camp in the county.
Yeah, we had some skits and other shiite in there on sing night, but I didn't want to get into details in a music post...Justin might be forced to ask, "What the f?"
Color War is fun as hell...I was a General in '97 (equivalent of your Major I'm sure) and for my last four years I had to be a neutral judge. But that meant a lazy week of voyeurism and relaxing, which wasn't so bad actually.
I didn't actually think this was real at first, Ace...
I never went to camp, but I guess that's just me. That's crazy that people actually have camp wars where competition is key. I think we should try Color Wars Bloggin' next...
Tyler Hill huh?
Most people at my Camp thought you guys were stuck up. I tried to remind them we paid alot to go to Westmont too. Your facilities looked top notch, and there was a rumor circulating that your bunks had a/c.
The only camp we had a real rivalry with was Camp Chen-a-wanda. Still hate those fuckers who had their names and a number on the back of their camp shirts.
I went to Scranton this weekend to see The Black Crowes / Tom Petty it brought back a whole lot of nostalgic thoughts.
Believe it or not (not when I went there), the bunks have AC these days. They put it in like three years ago or so. Terrible stuff, I reamed out my camp owner for it. It's not camp!
Yeah, we played you guys every now and again, but our only real rivals as I remember it were Wayne and Equinuk. Bastards.
Where'd you go in Scranton, Montage Mountain? I saw Further Fest there in 98, the first Dead tour back...good stuff, great venue.
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