LAUGHTER ABOUNDS

Why Comedy Camp with Elon Musk Can Transform Your Life

An amazing summer camp experience open to all writers

Every year, when the dawn of summer hits, I find myself flooded by memories of summer camp.

I miss the tug-o-war and field day games. Tableau performances. A million mosquito bites covering every inch of exposed flesh. The weird kid who wanted to go home an hour in and spent most free time crying in the Camp Director’s office.

Tight-lipped, sloppy wet first kisses.

But most of all — even above the s’mores — I miss the endless laughter of camp nights set against a background cricket symphony.

I was a kid obsessed with camp. I went to sleep-away acting camps, sports camps, and faith-based camps. If I had a mild interest in a camp’s niche, I would sign up.

For those of us who attended camp obsessively, it became a highlighted rite-of-passage. But once we hit thirty, many rites-of-passage have left us for younger, more exuberant people.

What if we could become kids again and embrace a camp experience as campers? Over the past decade, adult camps have sprung up everywhere. Typically, these are generic, water-based camp experiences that sound far more fun on paper than they become in reality. A week seems too long to hang out with strangers in cold, bug-ridden cot bunk beds.

But a four-day camp experience full of comedy professionals and fellow writers? Sign me up. Right now.

Ever wonder what BOFace looks like in person? Is Amy Sea hilarious in real life too? Here’s your chance to find out!

MuddyUm-freaking-comedy-camp has arrived.

Pete Davidson, Ali Wong, Trevor Noah —

Not one will make their presence known at Camp WannaLaughaLotta, but they should.

Full disclosure: Elon Musk won’t attend either, but did you see his SNL performance? His absence won’t make a difference.

What it is and the who’s who of presenters

Comedy camp? Can we teach people how to be funny? Damn straight we can.

As we entered Year 117 of the pandemic, fatigue overwhelmed us all. After approximately 5720 tangents in a MuddyUm Editor’s meeting, we talked about how to expand our brand and give back to our writers. How could we collectively scrape off the weighted depression of the past two years and help others do the same?

And Comedy Camp was born.

From June 17–20, 2022, the MuddyUm Editors’ Team presents — wait for it — a camp chock full of seasoned professional presenters, a talent showcase, and all of our favorite platform-writing friends. Please don’t cry! We know — you’ve dreamed of this moment for at least the last five minutes.

Signing up for Comedy Camp is like gifting yourself the pony you wanted for your seventh birthday. It’s getting the Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas and not shooting your eye out.

Scott Dikkers, co-founder of The Onion will be there to tell us how to shine in the comedic world. So will improv genius and guest star on many a NYC-based TV series, Samantha Jones. Oddly, I don’t think she ever appeared on Sex in the City. Always-popular MuddyUm writer, writing coach, and contributor to The New York Times and Chicken Soup for the Soul, Roz Warren can’t wait to meet you in person!

And, brilliant, witty MuddyUm contributor and The Daily Show writer, T. Kent Jones is eager to answer your questions about Jordan Klepper and Ronny Chieng. He knows Trevor Noah’s favorite Care Bear too.

‘Want to yell at me for asking you to trim down your sentences? Comedy Camp will prove a great opportunity.

Where do we go, George? Where do we go?

I didn’t want to lead with the locale, as it is the hotbed of the best comedy in America. L.A.? Absolutely not. Chicago? Meh. Second City is so passé.

We’re holding the first Annual MuddyUm Comedy Camp in Poughkeepsie, New York. How could anyone pass up such a chance?

Poughkeepsie is a short drive north of New York City, so a visit to the Big Apple is definitely doable.

Our esteemed captain of the MuddyUm ship and leader extraordinaire, Susan Brearley HSDP, ICF ACC, IMBA has graciously offered the use of her gorgeous Poughkeepsie property to serve as camp headquarters.

We all know Punchlines in Poughkeepsie stands as the greatest comedy spot to never have existed. Again, I ask — how can one not rush to sign up?

Will the food suck?

Comedy camp won’t serve soggy sandwiches. No lumpy dining hall oatmeal or mystery meat hash will cross a plate. An award-winning caterer, Jessica Miller, who has worked with many of the top chefs in the nation, will feed our raw-from-laughing bellies.

No one will go hungry. No. One.

Amazing! How do I sign up?

The MuddyUm Comedy Camp 2022 website will go live on March 1st. Cost information and pre-registration details will show up on the website. Suffice it to say, it’s affordable. Comedy camp will cost less than an ill-planned weekend stay at the Great Wolf Lodge. Plus, we won’t have to contend with kids peeing as we swim.

What if the Walking Dead strain of COVID-19 hits before June?

If you’re vaccinated and boosted, you can still attend camp. And we can band together to fight the zombies — a great lesson in teamwork and trust. You’ll have stories to tell for years to come.

Whether we write comedy for fun or to hone our professional skills, Comedy Camp promises to hold phenomenal experiences for all. Look for comedy camp details in the upcoming weeks!

We hope you’ll join us and laugh so hard you pee a little — just, not in the pool, please.

*Disclaimer: There will not be an on-site pool, but if it rains, there may be a large puddle to swim in.