Our Campers are a diverse crowd of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender folks from all over the world. Yes, the vast majority are from the United States, but Campers from such places as Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Germany have joined us over the past 16 years as well. They come from all walks of life and come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, so – don’t worry – you’ll fit right in!
We’ve asked some of our Campers to fill out a short questionnaire full of random personal facts, Camp trivia, and pop-culture tidbits as a fun way to get to know some of them a little better. These questionnaires were all previously featured in past issues of the ‘Camp’ Camp News News, our e-newsletter. (We’ll continue to add new Camper profiles periodically, so please visit this page again in the future to learn more about our Campers.)
Jude Russell
Full given name Judith Michaela Russell
Nickname Jude
Hometown York, PA/Framingham, MA
Current hometown New Britain, CT
Zodiac sign Pisces
‘Camp’ Camp role Yoga Instructor
First year at Camp 2011
Number of years at Camp so far 2
First Rainbow Group Leader Susan “Clink” Clinkenbeard
Favorite Camp Activity Swimming, kayaking, star-gazing
Most embarrassing Camp moment Getting caught snogging
Mac or PC? I’ve been bi since the iPad came out.
Most played song on your iPod “What Do You Love More Than Love?”, Dar Williams
One album you couldn’t live without Bruce Springsteen, Darkness on the Edge of Town
Last movie you saw Raid of the Rainbow Lounge (Queer film fest is in town)
Last book you read Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story by Paul Monette
Must-see TV show Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite reality show American Pickers
Only/oldest/middle child? Oldest
First same-sex kiss My first same-sex partner is a guy now, so not sure that it counts.
Big celebrity crush Annette Bening
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Favorite pizza topping Mushrooms
John Cesanek
Full given name John Adam Joseph Cesanek, Jr.
Nickname JC, Boo, Jazz, Weatherman
Hometown North Catasauqua, PA
Current hometown Dorchester, MA
Zodiac sign Libra
‘Camp’ Camp role Camper
First year at Camp 2008
Number of years at Camp so far 4
First Rainbow Group Leader Jenn Long
Favorite Camp Activity Reuniting with my second family (mean that!), Lake Side, Star Gazing (AL), Stained Glass, Volleyball, The Walk of Angels, Tea Dance, sleeping in, and, of course, hanging out with my Homies of RuPaul cabin and my friends of my “Freshman Class of ’08″!
Most embarrassing Camp moment My, um, privates peaking out during my cabin’s funeral skit during Tea Dance. (Thanks for the shortest skirt ever, Nick!)
Mac or PC? PC
Most played song on your iPod Anything dance, house, or club
One album you couldn’t live without The Best of the ’80s
Last movie you saw Star Trek Into Darkness
Last book you read What are books?! LOL
Must-see TV show Modern Family
Favorite reality show HATE reality shows
Only/oldest/middle child? Oldest
First same-sex kiss Jason L. at Mardi Gras, 1985
Big celebrity crush Ben Cohen
Cats or dogs? Neither
Favorite pizza topping Pepperoni
Colleen Fischer
Full given name Colleen Suzanne Fischer
Nickname Fish
Hometown Springfield, IL
Current hometown New York, NY
Zodiac sign Gemini
‘Camp’ Camp role Nurse
First year at Camp 2007
Number of years at Camp so far 5
First Rainbow Group Leader Phil Clawson
Favorite Camp Activity Barn Dance
Most surprising thing about Camp The immediate sense of community.
Mac or PC? Mac
Most played song on your iPod “I Feel Pretty/Unpretty” mash-up from Glee
One album you couldn’t live without Original Cast Recording, Wicked
Last movie you saw Beasts of the Southern Wild
Last book you read World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Must-see TV show Parks and Recreation
Favorite reality show Deadliest Catch
Only/oldest/middle child? Oldest
First same-sex kiss Kayla C.
Big celebrity crush Amy Poehler
Cats or dogs? Both
Favorite pizza topping Cheese
Bill Owens
Full given name William Alfred Owens, Jr.
Nickname Bill
Hometown Bluefield, WV
Current hometown Raleigh, NC
Zodiac sign Aries
‘Camp’ Camp role Camper
First year at Camp 2011
Number of years at Camp so far 2
First Rainbow Group Leader Sue Edelman
Favorite Camp Activity Early Risers Club, a small group of pre-dawn people who gather in the Lodge every morning between 5:30 and 6:30 to sit by the fire and reflect on life. A great way to start the day with kindred spirits!
Most surprising thing about Camp Your name and Rainbow Group color are the only labels that exist at Camp. All of the things that define your role in the real world – gender, orientation, career, age, etc. – simply do not matter at Camp. Everyone is accepted as a unique person.
Mac or PC? PC
Most played song on your iPod Dorothy Loudon, “Fifty Percent” (from Ballroom)
One album you couldn’t live without Stephen Schwartz, Reluctant Pilgrim
Last movie you saw Looper
Last book you read Discover Your Voice: How to Develop Healthy Vocal Habits by Oren L. Brown
Must-see TV show Big Bang Theory
Favorite reality show Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell
Only/oldest/middle child? Only (which explains a lot)
First same-sex kiss Jack T., who gave me mono with that first kiss!
Big celebrity crush Colin Farrell
Cats or dogs? Cats
Favorite pizza topping Bac0n
Bobbie Fitzek
Full given name Bobbie Jo Fitzek
Nickname Bobbie
Hometown Charleston, SC
Current hometown Chepachet, RI
Zodiac sign Aries
‘Camp’ Camp role Camper
First year at Camp 2012
Number of years at Camp so far 1
First Rainbow Group Leader Thom Higgins
Favorite Camp Activity The Walk of Angels
Most surprising thing about Camp How much I fell in love with the people there and how awesome everyone was!
Mac or PC? PC
Most played song on your iPod Kelly Clarkson, “Feel This Moment”
One album you couldn’t live without Kelly Clarkson – all her CDs!!
Last movie you saw Here Comes the BOOM!
Last book you read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Must-see TV show Revenge
Favorite reality show Betty White’s Off Their Rockers!
Only/oldest/middle child? Youngest
First same-sex kiss Julie, when I was a teenager
Big celebrity crush Kate Beckinsale & Piper Perabo
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Favorite pizza topping Mushrooms, grilled chicken, green peppers, and tomatoes
Shawn Jordan
Full given name Shawn Nelson Jordan
Nickname Rishawna
Hometown Charleston, SC
Current hometown Brooklyn, NY
Zodiac sign Virgo
‘Camp’ Camp role Camper
First year at Camp 2012
Number of years at Camp so far 1
First Rainbow Group Leader Juan Lopez-Rios
Favorite Camp Activity High Ropes Course
Most surprising thing about Camp The food was fantastic!
Mac or PC? Mac
Most played song on your iPod Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch, “Good Vibrations”
One album you couldn’t live without The Killers, Hot Fuss
Last movie you saw LOTR: Return of the King (Rewatched the entire trilogy)
Last book you read The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
Must-see TV show Portlandia
Favorite reality show Project Runway
Only/oldest/middle child? Oldest
First same-sex kiss Adam G., junior year of high school…in a crawlspace attic. He threw up. It’s a great story.
Big celebrity crush Alexander Skarsgard
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Favorite pizza topping Pineapple
Trina Cook
Full given name Katrina Judith Cook
Nickname Trina
Hometown Seatac, WA
Current hometown Tukwila, WA
Zodiac sign Scorpio
‘Camp’ Camp role Camper
First year at Camp 2010
Number of years at Camp so far 3
First Rainbow Group Leader The man, the legend, Phil Clawson
Favorite Camp Activity Impromptu conversations
Most embarrassing Camp moment When sweeping the lodge after a meal, I fell on my bum. It wasn’t too bad.
Mac or PC? Mac
Most played song on your iPod Brandi Carlile, “Closer to You”
One album you couldn’t live without Weeds Season One Soundtrack
Last movie you saw Your Sister’s Sister
Last book you read Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman
Must-see TV show Downton Abbey
Favorite reality show No patience for reality shows!
Only/oldest/middle child? Youngest
First same-sex kiss Leslie C., first year of college
Big celebrity crush Rachel Maddow (prrrrr!)
Cats or dogs? It’s a tie! (Currently a cat named Kansas)
Favorite pizza topping Black olives and mushrooms
Jim Taglauer
Full given name James Richard Taglauer
Nickname Jimmy, Jim, Jimmy T.
Hometown Essexville, MI
Current hometown Washington, DC
Zodiac sign Pisces
‘Camp’ Camp role Team Leader, Rainbow Group Leaders; Staff Training Leader
First year at Camp 2007
Number of years at Camp so far 6
First Rainbow Group Leader Stephen “Poodle” Ianiere
Favorite Camp Activity ‘Camp’ Camp Dance Dance! Also, any time hanging on the porch of RuPaul, or sitting on a blanket in the sun watching folks on the Climbing Wall or Ropes Course.
Most embarrassing Camp moment My bunk ladies of RuPaul snuck in to the bathhouse and stole my clothes, forcing me to walk back to the cabin in the shower curtain. Don’t do it again, fellas!
Mac or PC? PC
Most played song on your iPod “Hello Blackbird,” Judy Garland (I love me some Judy!)
One album you couldn’t live without Judy Garland, Live at Carnegie Hall
Last movie you saw United 93, but I don’t recommend it on a day you’re already feeling sad.
Last book you read I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max
Must-see TV show Hot in Cleveland
Favorite reality show Real Housewives (any city)
Only/oldest/middle child? 2nd youngest of 6
First same-sex kiss Jayme B., sophomore year in college
Big celebrity crush Davy Wavey – lame, I know.
Cats or dogs? Cats
Favorite pizza topping Pepperoni & Mushroom or Buffalo Chicken
Tina Stewart
Full given name Tina Marie Stewart
Nickname Stew
Hometown Flint, MI
Current hometown Toledo, OH
Zodiac sign Gemini
‘Camp’ Camp role Camper
First year at Camp 2011
Number of years at Camp so far 2
First Rainbow Group Leader Juan Lopez-Rios
Favorite Camp Activity Tea Dance
Most surprising thing about Camp The inclusiveness
Most embarrassing Camp moment Not being able to get up on the dock at the waterfront without help.
Mac or PC? PC
Most played song on your iPod Lately Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
One album you couldn’t live without Ani DiFranco, Living in Clip
Last movie you saw 50/50
Last book you read Summer in the City by Candace Bushnell
Must-see TV show Criminal Minds
Favorite reality show The Amazing Race
Only/oldest/middle child? Baby
First same-sex kiss Lori Bagwell
Big celebrity crush Angelina Jolie
Cats or dogs? Both
Favorite pizza topping Just cheese
Chris Shuping
Full given name James Nelson Shuping
Nickname Chris
Hometown Morehead City, NC
Current hometown Portland, ME
Zodiac sign Virgo
‘Camp’ Camp role Sightseeing Trip Leader
First year at Camp 2011
Number of years at Camp so far 2
First Rainbow Group Leader Susan “Clink” Clinkenbeard
Favorite Camp Activity Waterfront, Dance Lessons, Barn Dance, Tea Dance
Most surprising thing about Camp Everyone was so friendly and welcoming! The organization of the entire week was first-class and the week was liberating and energizing, far beyond any expectations.
Most embarrassing Camp moment When I drove into Camp my first year, Jenny O. was there to welcome me in the pouring rain and before she could say anything, I attempted to give her my car keys, thinking “WOW! They have valet parking…!” (They don’t.)
Mac or PC? PC
Most played song on your iPod Lady Gaga, “Marry the Night”
One album you couldn’t live without Linda Ronstadt, Lush Life
Last movie you saw Snow White and the Huntsman
Last book you read Love & Law, The Unpublished Teachings by Ernest Holmes
Must-see TV show Master Class
Favorite reality show Undercover Boss
Only/oldest/middle child? Oldest
First same-sex kiss Larry S., senior year of high school
Big celebrity crush Alan Jackson and Rod Stewart
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Favorite pizza topping Sausage
