Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! #642: Summer Camp (June 30, 2025) – Summary

Episode Overview

In this episode, the TESD crew recounts the saga of Gidham's return to his beloved 1990s-era boys’ science summer camp for a tri-annual reunion—this time joined by Johnny Law as his "plus one.” The show weaves between Gidham’s nostalgia, Johnny Law’s first impressions, and the ever-present comedic skepticism, ribbing, and warmth of Walt, Q, and the rest of the gang. Listeners are treated to tales of camp hijinks, awkward reunions, contests, legendary counselors, questionable camp traditions, and lots of fish (and Natty Daddy). It’s a deep and very funny dive into the peculiarities of boyhood camps, all filtered through the irreverent TESD lens.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who’s Here and What’s Going On?

• Participants: Regulars BQ (Brian Quinn), Walt, Gidham; guest Johnny Law. (00:52)
• Gidham provides the reunion context: he attended a boys-only science summer camp in the ‘90s that influenced him deeply. The camp closed in 2019 but still hosts alumni reunions (now for rent as an outdoor facility). (01:36–04:59)
• Gidham discusses his efforts to find a “plus one” for the reunion and his anxieties over "the optics" (e.g., if people would think he’s gay for bringing a male friend). Johnny Law was his ultimate recruit, happy to go. (09:34–13:02)

Notable Quotes:

• Gidham: “I went to a summer camp in the early 90s. It was a science summer camp for all boys.” (01:36)
• Host: “At 13, I would have rather been running around on my bikes with my friends than going to, you know, a camp like that.” (03:18)

2. The Camp Experience: Rules, Rituals & Reunions

• Changing attitudes: Parents grew increasingly anxious about sleepaway camps (“stranger danger,” no phones), contributing to the camp’s eventual closure. (04:32–05:06)
• The camp is now essentially a time capsule, unchanged since the ‘90s—right down to the bunk beds, cabins, and former shower house (48:00).
• Deep camp lore: The Whacker family legacy (Don, Dave, and “Dick Whacker”), prompting jokes about sheltered parents and Dick Whacker’s upbringing. (06:56–07:49)

Notable Quotes:

• Johnny Law: “The whole vibe there is like…Walton-esque. It's almost saccharine.” (07:33)
• Walt: “Are those the two most sheltered parents in history that they don't realize, hey, maybe we shouldn’t call him Richard?” (07:20)

3. Nostalgia, Awkward Reunions, & Gidham’s Reputation

• Gidham was excited to have a fresh audience (Johnny Law) for his camp stories, noting that the long-timers “had heard about the boots in '22.” (08:44)
• First awkward moments: Many didn’t remember or recognize Gidham at check-in. Some counselors recall him as an “insufferable asshole” in his youth, though now he’s much better liked. (21:32–23:24)
• Anecdotes surface of Gidham’s willful rebellion: refusing chores, needing to be carried around the field by counselors, ducking bathroom duty to avoid “Bon Ami” cleaning powder. (23:33–28:23)

Notable Quotes:

• Johnny Law: “It was very clear right from the start that no one really liked Giddam.” (23:05)
• Gidham: “I would not do what I was told. Like, I…did the exact opposite.” (23:30)

4. Living the Camp Life: Fishing, Cabin Life & Camp Activities

Cabin Life

• Rustic accommodations: No A/C, bunk beds, and memories of Gidham’s legendary snoring (remedied now by separate cabins, CPAP jokes abound). (13:00–15:01)

Fishing & Outdoor Time

• Johnny Law is an avid outdoorsman; the pair spend hours fishing (sometimes successfully), and Johnny brings his own modern gear. Their time reveals more of Gidham’s softer side. (33:53–36:35)
• Quote (Johnny Law): “I've peeled a layer of the onion away…he is just a really sweet, great guy...It was also great to see him in a situation where…these guys loved him by the end of it.” (36:22)

Drinking

• Drinking is reserved for after dark, with Gidham detailing the perils (and hangovers) of “Natty Daddy” nights. (49:40–51:00)

Camp Contests

• The camp hosts a goofy relay competition (canoeing, sunken canoe, cereal-eating, card-stacking, fire-starting, etc.). Johnny Law locks down his canoeing event; Gidham nearly drowns himself in the sunken canoe and then rushes to win the cereal-eating competition, all leading to second place. (57:18–68:22)

Notable Quotes:

• Johnny Law (on the canoe event): “So I’m doing basically all the work...we did win.” (59:16, 59:25)
• Johnny Law (on sunken canoe): “He was getting to the point where...water would just be spewing out of his mouth.” (61:43)
• Walt: “Why are you in bad shape? ... Because of the underwater canoe. You're all sore and shit.” (89:56–90:00)

5. Camp Rituals & Lore

Shower House Stories

• Hilariously awkward memories (with edge-of-inappropriateness): the no-partition shower house, counselors watching to ensure cleanliness, debate over the weirdness of adults monitoring showers, and speculation about “Sandusky” types (joked about, not substantiated). (40:00–47:00)
• Quote: “It looked like a place you'd bring cattle into with little spickets on top.” – Johnny Law (40:06)

Iconic Meals

• Nostalgic reverence for “camp food” (spaghetti, meat sauce, garlic bread, tacos, burgers, and cereal competitions). (31:25–33:23, 68:41)
• Gidham: “You know, this is probably the best meal I’ve had in about three months.” (32:28)

Awards

• The weekend’s ribbons: second place in the relay, green for participation, and brown “excellence in fishing” for both Johnny and Gidham after much boasting without photographic evidence. (69:50–71:21)

6. Deeper Takeaways & Reflections

• The camp serves as a pocket of nostalgia for Gidham—a place tied tightly to his identity, despite a childhood marked by social awkwardness and being an outsider.
• Johnny Law and the hosts observe his fierce connection to objects and the past (e.g., his four phones), his difficulty letting go and moving on, and his evolution from troublemaker to lovable adult.
• The group gently roasts Gidham for his inability to downsize phones, his reverence for camp relics, and his hoarding tendencies.
• The hosts muse on how modern interventions and awareness could've made things easier for Gidham growing up—but celebrate his progress and current connections nonetheless.

Notable Quotes:

• Johnny Law: “The fact that he is the way he is today...is encouraging, because that means he can make even bigger strides going forward.” (86:36)
• Host: “He’s a great guy and he cares...it's hard to argue with your way; you worked out.” (87:17)
• Johnny Law: “Get him can put them down, man. I was impressed.” (50:49)

Memorable Moments & Humor

• The saga of “Dick Whacker” and legendary camp names (07:03–07:52)
• Gidham’s insecurities about being seen as gay for attending with a male friend, plus the camp’s “throuple” in residence (10:04–19:03)
• The epic story of Gidham being piggybacked by a counselor due to refusal to run (23:49–25:57)
• Bon Ami powder, bathroom duty avoidance, and swapping jobs as a protest (27:21)
• The suspense and slapstick of the sunken canoe disaster (59:44–62:47)
• Johnny Law’s legal jousting with several other camp alumni-turned-lawyers around the campfire (80:48–81:21)
• Banter about “Showers at Auschwitz” and emphasizing nothing inappropriate happened, juxtaposed with jokes about “Sandusky.” (40:25–43:45)
• Gidham’s emotional response to the camp’s closing speech and the hosts’ mixture of genuine sympathy and comic prodding (76:25–77:36)
• For every marginally touching moment, someone offers a punchline—e.g., cereal-eating as a heroic challenge, “excellence in fishing” ribbons, ribbon colors, and the persistent question: why four phones?

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “The whole vibe there is like the most wholesome, kind of Walton-esque situation. It's…almost saccharine.” – Johnny Law (07:33)
• “Nobody liked Gidham at the camp…back then, but now they do!” – Johnny Law (23:05)
• “It looked like a place you’d bring cattle into with little spickets on top.” – Johnny Law, describing the defunct shower house (40:06)
• “He was getting to the point where…water would just be spewing out of his mouth.” – Johnny Law, recounting Gidham’s sunken canoe ordeal (61:43)
• “I was devastated that I can't talk to my father, my mother, my grandmother…But then I hated this guy [the counselor] afterwards and he hated me…We made up.” – Gidham, on a camp grudge (76:00–76:12)
• “The fact that he is the way that he is today…is encouraging, because that means he can make even bigger strides going forward.” – Johnny Law (86:36)

Important Segments with Timestamps

• Camp Background & Reunion Invitation: (01:36–05:34)
• Gidham’s "Plus One" Odyssey & Fears (09:34–14:44)
• First Reactions at Reunion (21:32–23:24)
• Legend of “Dick Whacker” (06:56–07:49)
• Counselors Remembering Gidham (23:05–25:58)
• Cabin/Snoring/CPAP Saga (13:00–15:01)
• Shower House Lore & Jokes (40:00–47:00)
• Fishing Bonding & Reflection (33:53–36:35; 72:35–73:39)
• Relay/Contests/Sunken Canoe (57:18–68:22)
• Legal Discussion by the Campfire (80:48–81:21)
• Award Ceremony & Speech (74:50–77:36)
• Wrapping up—Reflections on Growth & Camp’s Value (86:36–88:57)

Final Thoughts

This episode is as much a celebration of camp nostalgia and transformation as it is a source of unfiltered humor and camaraderie. The crew’s mockery is balanced by genuine warmth for Gidham, who, despite his quirks, has metamorphosed into a beloved, if eccentric, member of the TESD family. The themes of growth, acceptance, and the enduring (sometimes embarrassing) power of camp memories ring throughout, making for an episode equal parts touching and hilarious.

Summary by Segment

• Opening banter, camp background, and plus-one saga: 00:06–14:44
• Story of the reunion, first impressions, and lore: 15:00–25:58
• Camp traditions, contests, and fish tales: 26:00–50:00
• The legendary sunken canoe, competitions, and ribbons: 50:00–71:21
• Emotional campfire speech, reconciliation, and legal debates: 74:50–81:21
• Final reflections and takeaway lessons: 86:36–end

For new listeners: This is a classic, chaotic, and heartwarming TESD adventure—nostalgic, unfiltered, frequently inappropriate, and always funny. The details and laughs come alive even if you’ve never set foot at camp yourself.