Camp Cast

Welcome back to the second installment of our 4-part series of podcasts and video recordings we are calling the “International Staff Experience”. In this series we will be interviewing and talking to international staff, who were never Menominee campers, that decided to return to camp on staff for multiple summers. Our goal is help our first-year international staff hear and see things from the perspective of people who were in their shoes not long ago. We explore the nerves of coming to camp for the first time on staff, how long it took to really connect to camp, what some of the highest and lowest moments are for a new international staff member, and much, much more! On this episode Jeff chats with Aranza Pastrana (8th year from Mexico) and Gavin Pritchard (3rd year from Scotland). We hope these are both fun and bring a unique perspective to camp. For new staff we hope you get a better sense of what your potential connection to camp can be this summer, and for the rest of our community, we really hope you get to know some of our truly important staff members that you may not get a chance to otherwise. Enjoy!

On this VERY special episode of the Camp Cast we are launching our new 4-part series of podcasts and video recordings we are calling the “International Staff Experience”. In this series we will be interviewing and talking to international staff, who were never Menominee campers, that decided to return to camp on staff for multiple summers. Our goal is help our first-year international staff hear and see things from the perspective of people who were in their shoes not long ago. We explore the nerves of coming to camp for the first time on staff, how long it took to really connect to camp, what some of the highest and lowest moments are for a new international staff member, and much, much more! On this episode Jason chats with Beth Potts and Alice Matthews, both returning for their second summer's from England. We hope these are both fun and bring a unique perspective to camp. For new staff we hope you get a better sense of what your potential connection to camp can be this summer, and for the rest of our community, we really hope you get to know some of our truly important staff members that you may not get a chance to otherwise. Enjoy!

Today we have a really fun episode for you as Jason is joined by cousins Brett Weiss and Isaac Weiss. Between the two of them they have quite the resume at camp that spans camper, CIT, Counselor, Leadership roles, Resort Staff, Office Manager, Decade Club, and much more. We sat down in Scottsdale and had a great conversation about all things camp. They had some amazing stories to share, some special shout outs, we of course talked about their age group the "Doi Bois", and, naturally, some grudges were grudged. They also for sure had the best “back in my day” segment we have ever had on this podcast. Enjoy!

On this VERY special episode of the podcast we are lucky enough to sit down in person with the namesake of the Twilight League Championship Trophy, Steve Ehrlich. Steve has been coming to camp every year in some capacity since 1959, helped start the Nate Wasserman Camp Fund, and has been the commissioner of Fantasy Camp since its origin. Steve is now the heartbeat of our alumni network. We talk about how camp changed and evolved over the decades, what Nate Wasserman was like, stories about camp legends Al Lewis, Bob Bender, Koz, and Jim "Buzz" Wyeth, where a lot of our traditions, sayings, games, and songs come from, the first ever Kawaga competition, the Meat Man and much more. After the 90 minutes were over we both shared how much we didn't even touch on…but this is a great start!

On this episode of the camp cast we are lucky enough to be joined former campers, current Father/Son campers, and current camp dads Logan and Harley Rosenthal. The guys came prepared with old megaphones, pictures, and great stories from their time at camp. Enjoy!

On this episode of the Camp Cast we take a break from the alumni focused podcasts, and turn to the summer of 2024! Camp staples Miles Provus, Ethan Mann, Nate Beermann, Ryan Martin, Jacob Schneider, Cooper Spector, Ben Lazarus, and Jon Wool join us to chat about their first year on staff, what they look forward to this summer, give a little staff update, some ideas for 2024, and a lot of nonsense. Enjoy!

On this debut episode of 2024 we are lucky enough to have Senior Cabin 1991 members Mark Cahan, Courtney Mann, and Jon Provus. These guys have a stacked camp resume including camper, counselor, Fantasy Campers, Father/Son Campers, Post Campers, 5-year club members, fathers of campers and staff...and much more. They have amazing stories from their time at camp, including a 16A walk-off...but not what you are picturing...and provide some insight into how camp has changed for them from when they were campers to now having kids at Menominee. Enjoy!

In case the first 2.5 hours wasn't enough...we are back with best friends and camp legends Ted Roth and Barry Schwartz to close the loop and finish up an amazing conversation about camp. We start by finishing the amazing story of 16A 1996, which includes a truly amazing moment with Doris and Jeannie. Then we finish with quick hits and other remarkable camp nonsense. Enjoy!

If you know Teddy and Barry then this episode needs no introduction. If you don't...well get ready for some of the most fun, passionate, hilarious, (mostly) unfiltered, stories and memories from two camp legends. What does Teddy call "the biggest bonehead logistical decision in the history of camp"? What is Barry's best camp moment and SHOULD that actually be Barry's best camp moment? Do you want to hear the greatest, most thought out, and most thorough camp grudge in the history of the podcast? When you get two best friends who LOVE camp and have some things to say...you get this instant hall of fame podcast episode. Enjoy this one...and it's only Part 1!

On this very special episode of the podcast Jason hosts some of the '22 Senior Cabin, '23 CITs, and '24 JCs Charlie Eisenberg, Nate Vass, Matthew Harfield, Sam Rosen, Spencer Auslander, and Ryan Weil. They talk about how last summer went, get into some favorite alumni pod questions, and turn the tables on J to ask him questions at the end. Enjoy!

This week we have a unique episode for you. We went into the archives to unveil a never released episode from the summer of 2023. Every summer Jason does a late night deep dive with RYAN FIRMIN and JACK BEHAR. This year's version needed some editing which is why it didn't get released during the summer. Therefore, on Season 7 Episode 3 of the Camp Cast Jason, Ryan, and Jack get into it! They start by talking about the 2023 Sing, then quickly go off the rails on topics like musicals, petty childhood nonsense, camper shout outs, why Jason and Behar can't get along, the Hatchet Hunt, our favorite generic key log shout outs, Chicago vs. LA Food, Feldgreber family history and how it connects to Manny's Deli, what books have you read lately, and maybe a few other actual camp related topics. Enjoy!

On this one of a kind episode of the Camp Cast Jason is joined by former camper, CIT, counselor, Associate Director, Director, and of course Owner of Camp Menominee, Steve Kanefsky. Steve opens up about his time as a camper and counselor. How he found Menominee and his journey to becoming the owner. Then Jason and Steve go under the hood to talk about what it's like owning camp, some things people don't know or don't see about the job, and share some stories about former counselors, campers and parents. Steve also talks about his proudest moments at camp, his most regretful moments, the Kawaga competition, and much more including a great story about Koz at the end. This one surely will call for a part 2 at some point! Enjoy!

After a couple month hiatus we are back with an all new season and all new episodes of the Camp Cast! To kick off the season we are live in Scottsdale with former camper, counselor, program director, resort director and Nate Wasserman Award winner Ethan Weiss! We try out a new more structured format and dive deep into all the camp topics you love. Enjoy!

On this emotional, uplifting, celebratory, and action packed episode of the Camp Cast...it's our last day of camp! While we are devastated that the summer is coming to an end, there is a TON to celebrate. So on this podcast Jason spends some time at the beginning talking about the summer, what went on at camp tonight and listing a lot of the awards and honors given to the boys today. Then he hosts the annual "come to the studio and share your favorite camp memory" segment. You'll hear a number of campers and staff stop by for quick stories and memories (9:35). Finally, we will play you the audio of the final awards an honor ceremony for the evening including Junior Honor Camper, Intermediate Honor Camper, the 6 Menominee Values Awards, and of course, the Nate Wasserman Award (50:48). Enjoy!

We forgot to cover the Twilight League Playoffs...but shout out to Judah Nitzkin's Team (Juniors), Spencer Polovin's Team (Intermediates), and Daniel Gelfgat's Team (Seniors) for winning their Twilight League Championships today.

Today we had the most dramatic, intense, and insane end to the All Camp Relay (and the entire Green & White Competition in camp history! So the only way we could do it justice is to have on the 6 overall captains Tyler Field, Chase Kaplan, Eli Flaum, Daniel Gelfgat, Michael Goluch, and Dylan Hirsch. We get in to all of it...ALL of it. Enjoy!

Wow we had two full days of Green & White + at camp, and the only way we know how to give it it's proper due is with our LA connection plus Eli Mutnick! We get into some huge Green & White action including midnight manhunt, the cross camp classic and counselor hunt. Then we talk about our decade club ceremony and our four new inductees! Enjoy.

We had a fantastic day at camp today, and maybe an even better recap podcast. Tonight Jason is thrilled to be joined by Avi Kirshenbaum and Charlie Epstein of Cabin 6 to talk about some of our favorite Green & White games, update you on the the events so far, talk about our friendly matches with Timberlane today, and much more. Enjoy!

Another amazing day at camp is in the books, despite a late night counselor softball game that didn't go our way. As is tradition after counselor sports, Jason and Jeremy get together to talk about the game, what we learned from it, and recap a really fun Camper Counselor Switch Day at camp, culminating in a Carnival Social with Marimeta.

On this high energy episode of the podcast we have on birthday boy Russell Rosenthal and his brother Gavin, and cousin Will to talk about everything camp. We focus on the start of Green & White, but also get into Camper Counselor Switch Day, camp meals, and much more! Enjoy.

On this amazing episode of the podcast we have Cabin 15 members Hunter Smith, Hayden Schreiber, Dylan Davis and Evan Lieberman on to talk about the end of the competition, a social with Chippewa, our Lazy Day Sunday and Camper/Counselor Switch Day debates. Enjoy!

Ok, so maybe the first day of competition didn't go as planned, BUT this podcast is definitely worth a listen! Tonight we have on CITs Jack Berger, Zach Danziger, Spencer Auslander, Dylan Pelts, Ryan Weil, Asher Diamond, and Charlie Eisenberg to break down the action today, look ahead to a CM comeback tomorrow, and spew all sorts of nonsense. Enjoy!

On this fantastic episode of the Camp Cast, Jason is joined by Cabin 14 all stars Cooper Wellen, Dylan Gangel, and Matthew Feinberg. They talk about practices for our big competition, our 16A and B basketball showdown with Ojibwa, CM Pictionary, rate the food thus far, and try to help people find their stuff (kind of). Enjoy!

It has become an odd podcast tradition to have fan favorite Jeremy Kohlenbrener on the show every time we play a counselor sport. Well, who are we to break tradition?!? On tonights rants, raves and ramblings, Jeremy and Jason touch on the Chippewa Regatta, team practices and other awesome parts of camp before going deep into the Counselor Basketball Game against our rivals. Folks, the GreenHouse was ROCKIN' tonight. Enjoy.

On this 5-year night special podcast episode, we bring on the brothers Forman, Zach and Jack, to talk about our last few days at camp including our special 5 year night induction. We welcomed in 19 new members to the club including a surprise induction of Jason's parents Bobbi and Rob. We discuss loyalty at camp, family legacies, our regular day at camp, Lazy Day Sunday, and much more. Enjoy.

On this Denver driven episode of the podcast we have Max Weiss, Jacob Stinar, Easton White, and Reid Parks on to talk about a fantastic day at camp including the conclusion of our Mid-Summer Madness tournaments, Reid and J's tennis tournament victory, the food so far, commercial night, and much more! Enjoy.

On this phenominee episode of the podcast Jason is joined by first year campers (but Father/Son Camp veterans) Cole Stein and Beau Davidson. They talk about last night's social with Agawak, picture day 2023, mid summer madness, our first Big/Little Brother event of the summer, and much more! Enjoy.

Tonight on the podcast we have the Coopers! Provus and Mazza come on to chat about an amazing day at camp filled with Big Ten instruction, Mid Summer Madness and much more. Enjoy.

Welcome to second session 2023! We bring on veterans Spencer Polovin, Jordy Meyers and Jacob Krasny to get into the first full day of camp, the starts of Mid Summer Madness and TLL and much more. Welcome and Enjoy!

Wow first session flew by! Today on the podcast we have King of the Camp and Twilight League Champions Malachi Deboise and Jack Friedman to recap an amazing last couple days of first session. Jason also takes some time to announce some of our first session award winners. Enjoy!

If we had to name this episode of the podcast it would be called "complete nonsense with some great camp content sprinkled on top". Tonight on this LATE night episode we have veterans Benjie Soren, Ryan Firmin and Jack Behar on. The guys chat about some King of the Camp Championship day highlights, shout out some campers and staff, dive deeper into the staff volleyball game, and then just talk about whatever is on their minds. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we have the Palo Alto Pals (a name that will not stick) aka the California Connection in Jackson Purcell, Luke Ranzetta, and Noah Kunder. We get into the first full day of King of the Camp Playoffs, our Swim and Track meets, and much more. Enjoy!

On this extra awesome episode of the Camp Cast, Jason welcomes Noah Hoyt and Ellis Benjamin from Cabin 4 to talk about Town Day 2023, the start of the King of the Camp Championships and much more!

On this extra special amazing episode of the podcast we are joined by Cabin 12 residents Cooper Borstein, Drake Elman, and Judah Paul. We dive into the 14 year old trip to the Bobble Head Museum and Hall of Fame, the Brewers Game, and the Wisconsin Dells. Then we try to explain how King of the Camp Relic Reconnaissance works and predict the winners. Finally, we talk a little about our first counselor competition win of the summer, our 2-1 victory over Kawaga in counselor Volleyball! Enjoy.

On this episode of the Camp Cast we have Cabin 17 residents Tyler Rasper and Michael Nardelli. We chat about the 12 year old canoe trip, bridge jumping, camping with Joe and all the great things that have been happening during Trip Week at camp.

On this episode of the podcast we got the brothers Ackerman on to talk about our 4th of July celebration and our first day of Trip Week! We get into the end of B&A including the all camp squirt gun fight and Message to Garcia, as well as where in the state of Wisconsin are all of our campers right now. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast Jason welcomes CITs Asher Diamond and Ryan Weil on to talk about an action packed couple of days at camp. We dive into CM's victory in the first ever Northwoods Racquet Sports Invitational, the start of British & American, upcoming staff and camper competitions, and much, much more. Enjoy!

Tonight we are joined by first year international campers Xavier Villegas and Franz Schnaas to talk about the last few days at camp including lazy day Sunday, Casino Night, and Menominee's first major victory of the summer in the Northwoods Racquets Invitational. Enjoy

On this fantastic episode of the podcast Jason is joined by Michael Hazan and Nels Johnson to talk about another amazing day at camp!

On this episode of the podcast cabin 6 comes on to try to convince Jason to go zip lining with Eli this weekend. They also talk about another great day at camp, the conclusion of Sun and Wind and much more. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we bring on the People's Champions Paker Morris and Andy Ernest to talk about our 2econd Wrestling Showcase at Menominee, the start of Sun & Wind, and much more. Enjoy!

We know we have missed a couple days of the podcast, so we brought on one of our favorite guests to help us recap the last couple days of camp. That's right folks, we have Jeremy Kohlenbrener on this evening. Jason and Jer spend time on todays podcast talking about our social at Chippewa, our first lazy day Sunday, and how our campers don't know how to hold a churro...oh and much more! Enjoy.

On this off the rails episode of the CampCast we have veteran campers Carter Parks and Connor Laycob on to chat about an amazing day at camp! First we go back one night and discuss the best lip synch battle skit night we have ever seen...then we dive into our Friday that culminated in a rowdy song and cheer night in Wasserman Hall. Along the way Carter and Conor call Jason old, tell him the things he is doing wrong, and give some not asked for feedback. Enjoy!

Tonight on the podcast Jason welcomes the brothers Fishman all the way from LA to talk about a great day at camp! We had actual picture day today, cabin activities, big ten, and Twilight League. After the pod was recorded we had the greatest lip synch battle the Northwoods has ever seen...we'll cover that tomorrow. Enjoy!

On this extra special episode of the podcast Jason is joined by members of the Senior Cabin! The leaders of camp talk about a beautiful day at the friendly confines filled with Big Ten and King of the Camp action. We also get into our first "skit" night of the summer...Soccer Celebration night, and our first gameshow camp fire "Let's Make a Deal".

On this first full day episode of the podcast we have Junior Twilight League captains (and cabin 5 residents) Bennett Rue and Dayne Schneider on to talk about our first full day at camp!! We get into Big Ten activities, King of the Camp, Twilight League, Generals, canteen and much more! Enjoy.

WE ARE BACK!!! The summer has officially begun and we are back with more episodes of the Camp Cast. Each day we'll dive deep into what's going on at camp, talk to campers and counselors about their day and their overall camp experience, and share all the inside scoop about Menominee. Today we bring on the CITs to welcome everyone to our 96th summer at camp. Enjoy!!

On this episode of the podcast Jason brings on some of his best friends/family from his time at camp. The group comes out swinging with camp grudges, then they dive deep into all the topics you love (and some new ones) like:

• Camp influences
• Least favorite co counselors
• Camp regrets
• Best camp moments
• Their camp legacy
• Remember this megaphone article you wrote?
• What are you jealous of that camp has now that you didn't?
• What's on Brian's mind?
• Favorite Koz campfire song.
• Hot takes that we have never heard before...you'll want to stick around for these!
• Worst competition jersey name.
• Brian reading random notes from his 2008 Menominee journal.

There are some call outs, shout outs, stories we have never heard, takes that are beyond hot, and much more. Enjoy!

On this off-season Alumni Spotlight episode of the podcast, Jason is joined by prominent alum Danny Slutsky, David Mizock and Robbie Appelbaum (all of Senior Cabin '08). We get into our favorite topics and ask the hard hitting questions you all have come to know and love including:

Hottest Menominee Take...Favorite and Least Favorite Counselors...Biggest Camp Regret...Camp Grudge...Most Regrettable Competition Jersey Name...Camp Vernacular that still sticks with you...Favorite Cabin in Camp...Why Danny Didn't Win Nate...What Do you Remember About Koby Stern...Best/Worst Camp Moment...Did Miz have the greatest one-year turnaround in softball of anyone in camp history...Age Group Legacies...and much more!!

On this episode of the podcast we have two CM Legends and Decade Club members Justin Schoeneman and Taylor Beauseigneur! We dive deep into our favorite camp topics like: camp friendships, what their camp legacies are, favorite counselors, favorite co-counselors, biggest camp regrets, who is our camp grudge, what camp vernacular has carried over to every day life, Green & White, biggest camp influences, favorite meal/canteen, and much, much more. Enjoy!