Summer Camp Job

Summer Camp JobFeature Movie Script by Demian

Logline:

An intellectual young man works as a counselor at a sports-oriented boy's summer camp during the 60s; a job at odds with his personality. The macho ethic of the camp encourages the oldest campers to undergo a hazing, which results in the death of a child.

Genesis of "Summer Camp Job"

Working on this script was more emotionally involving than usual. It's based primarily on my experiences, and not derived from literary sources - such as my "Gilgamesh & Enkidu" (epic poem), or "Phil's Fortune" (novel). Nor was it developed as an intellectual exorcise, like my short movie "Director's Commentary."

For seven summers, I was an arts and crafts and theater counselor for a day camp. For one summer, I was a theater and photography teacher at an overnight camp. However, it was my experience at an all boys overnight camp, which provided the bulk of inspiration for this script.

The boys' camp was rough physically and emotionally. It pushed the youngsters to be competitive, rather than cooperative. Physical prowess ruled. Management was often antagonistic to counselors. Living quarters were crude. Single surface walls, no insulation. But most of all, much of the camp did not place the well-being of the children as paramount.

Yes, at this boys camp, there was a hazing in the oldest boys' cabin, and the counselor did threaten to throw an asthmatic child into the lake. When the youngster had a serious asthma attack, and was finally brought to the camp nurse, the entire camp was awaken by her screaming at the counselor for his incompetent, brainless, dangerous behavior. It took three days before management removed the counselor from campus, because they had to check with his (actual) uncle, who was on the board of directors.

The underlying reason for this script is to expose the dangers of macho attitudes, to support youth, and help them to grow the stronger, loving side of their natures.

Demian, 2021-02-16