Showcation’s nostalgia-fueled summer camp blended curated adventures with high-caliber musical performances for a one-of-a-kind weekend.
Driving up to the entrance of Camp Ramblewood on Friday evening, a long-lost feeling washed over me. It had been years since I attended Girl Scouts summer camps, yet I was filled with the same nervous energy I once had as my mother leaned in for a final hug before leaving me for the week. I found myself asking the same questions: Would I make any friends? Would I be forced to challenge myself? What if I ended up feeling alone?
Although technically, I had friends also attending Showcation for the first year, I wanted to fully immerse myself in the summer camp experience. Setting off on my own, I secured a bed in a cabin full of strangers, hoping to create friendships akin to those I made all those years ago.
As the sun said its goodbye, fading below the hills, I lugged my belongings down to camp in the dark after making my way through security.
A storm had blown through and taken out the power, leaving me quite clueless about where to go. Struggling with the mass amount of things I brought as a chronic over-packer, I stumbled upon a friendly volunteer who offered to help me find my cabin. We sloughed through the muddy grass, conversing about our hopes for the festival, until we found my home for the weekend.
I took a deep breath and walked through the cabin door, only to see that all but two beds had been claimed. Last to arrive, I kicked myself mentally for not taking a day off work. Three figures sat in the darkness, waiting for programming to be back up and running. As I began to pull my fitted sheet around the Tempurpedic mattress of my bed, the power switched back on; a nod from the universe that all would be okay.
Following settling in, I struck out on my first solo adventure of the weekend — the Project X House Party.
Climbing back up the hill, this time in platforms, I could see flashing lights illuminating the windowpanes of a historical white house. On the front lawn stood large groups of party-goers, some crowded around a keg. The loud music inside escaped into the yard. I found myself forgetting I was at a music festival as I spent time meandering through the packed home, where a DJ threw down in the living room to a crowd, taking me back to college frat parties.
Dancing my way up the stairs, I spotted a gaggle of clowns standing outside a mysterious door where initiations for their cult were taking place. As I waited for the opportunity to enter, as any curious mind would, the previous group of cult initiatives walked out of the room. Not expecting to see anyone I knew, I was dumbfounded when I was met with a familiar face from the past.
A second synchronicity? I was starting to believe that Showcation was a magical place, and boy, was I right. The evening was spent with friends, dancing at the Lake Stage. Half school bus, half wooden masterpiece, the main stage welcomed bass-fueled performances from Seth David, Buku, and HerShe, as the crowd thrashed about.
As the early morning hours moved in, I followed the crowds across a tentacle-donned bridge to the theme camps where afters would commence. The Jellyfish Collective welcomed a rare house set from Tony Parmesan (Buku’s house alter-ego), while 420 R. Ave hosted DiCE MaN with his bone-rattling tunes. I stumbled back to my cabin, legs weak from dancing and traversing the grounds in a questionable shoe choice. Lying in bed, I recapped the evening until my tired eyes let me drift off to get some much-needed rest for the day ahead.
Saturday started with a hearty brunch overlooking the pool.
One of the things that excited me most about Showcation was the idea of a meal plan. Not worrying about what to eat every day meant more time to focus on exploring. I set off to the dining hall with some of my bunkmates, where we feasted on chicken and waffles and filled each other in on our nights.
We popped in on a kickball game in the field before heading to the pool, where tropical house tunes accompanied a water aerobics class. I dipped my legs in the glistening water, cooling off from the beating sun. The pool was a much-needed retreat from the heat. As campers began to flood the area for the Floatopia Pool Party with inflatable unicorn and duck intertubes in tow, I snuck out to try something new.
When I had envisioned a pole dancing class, a suspended pole did not come to mind. I had always wanted to try my hand at pole dancing, but the opportunity never presented itself. After watching plenty of newbies try their hand at a new skill, I mustered up the courage to check off an item from my to-do list. Much to my surprise, and that of my friends, I was able to pull off a few moves.
Since I arrived later in the day on Friday, Saturday was my first encounter with Camp Olympics.
While Friday’s rousing competitions took place in the field, Saturday was at the pool, where the camp’s four teams competed in synchronized swimming. As a member of Ramblesquawk, I joined my fellow teammates ready to cheer on our selected swimmers, who would perform to DJ Snake’s “Bird Machine.”
After a long day roasting in the sun, it was time to grab dinner and get ready for the stacked night of music ahead. Highlights of the evening included an electrifying set from Nikita, The Wicked, zany performances at Jive Joint, and high-stakes gambling with Frick Frack.
Time escaped me, and soon the sun was coming up, forming a stunning sunrise over the lake. Looking at the clock for the first time in hours, it set in that there was only one more day left in this magical place where the outside world didn’t matter, and I was ready to make it count.
The final day of Showcation went by in a blur.
They always say time flies when you’re having fun, especially when you sleep in and miss breakfast. I rallied my tired bones and set off to Barbershop Roulette, where my bunkmate Anna would use her unqualified barber skills to give haircuts to volunteers in exchange for points for their team. Down by the lake, the Beatbox Battle was getting started. I took a seat in the stands and watched in disbelief as the clear sounds of syncopated drums formed by the batter’s mouth created a drum and bass banger.
As the winner of the battle was announced, camp counselors kicked things into high gear as the final Camp Olympics events began. Ramblesquawk was determined to return from a point deficit, strategizing how to win tug-of-war. I screamed along the sidelines for my team, donning yellow, our team color. In the end, Snugglebug came out on top, celebrating in an explosion of confetti.
Dinner in the mess hall was a taco bar, which fueled me for my final hours at Camp Ramblewood. Before heading off to see the final acts of the weekend, I decided to check off another personal first and receive my first tarot reading. The reading reinvigorated me and reaffirmed that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
I trekked down to the lake stage one final time, where I was met with the sounds of bagpipe dubstep from Elias Alexander. The masterful musician took the crowd on a journey with his unique blend of Celtic and electronic instrumentation. Flow aficionados illuminated the shadowy dancefloor with their LED hoops and poi, putting on a show for onlookers. The evening closed out with a boisterous set from Jimmy Corks, the founder of Showcation, sending everyone off in style.
As I watched Camp Ramblewood fade into my rearview mirror, I found myself reflecting on my time at camp.
Throughout the weekend, it became clear that Showcation was unlike any other festival. It’s a place where you’re free to explore the inner confines of your heart with the support of newfound friends and teammates. For some, Showcation evoked nostalgia; for others, this was their first experience at a summer camp.
We were pushed to try new things, breaking past the limits we’ve set for ourselves, and we embraced the child within as we played schoolyard games. We laughed together, danced together, and grew together. By focusing on community experiences, Showcation facilitated an environment of support and uplifting energy, creating life-long friendships and memories to last a lifetime.
The presale for Showcation 2026 begins Wednesday, May 28. For first dibs at tickets, join the waitlist on the Showcation website.
