Summer is when we make memories of climbing trees, playing flashlight tag and catching fireflies. When we were younger these memories were sometime made at camp. Others may have enjoyed camp through movies and TV shows like “Salute your Shorts,”Friday the 13th,“, “Heavyweights,” “Race for your life, Charlie Brown,” and “Wet Hot American Summer.”
The last one on the list above has a connection to our area. The movie, starring Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler and Janeane Garofola, was filmed at Camp Townada in Honesdale in Wayne County. Filming began in May 2000 and came out in theaters the following summer. The movie is about the last few days at camp filled with goodbyes and debris from Skylab on a possible collision course with Camp Firewood.
During the filming the Scranton Times covered the making of the film. Here are the links to the articles from our archives:
May 8, 2000 – County going to the movies
May 11, 2000 – Major film shoot likely if approval is granted
June 9, 2000 – Time in Wayne County has film crew bonding
June 10, 2000 – ‘Wet Hot’ filming underway
Here are few images captured by the a Times staff photographer while on set:
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- Large reflectors, lights, cameras, and audio equipment surround crew and cast members on the infield of the Camp Towanda softball field during the filming of “Wet Hot American Summer” on June 8, 2000. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Michael Showalter, gets his nose powdered prior to filming a scene during filming of “Wet Hot American Summer” at Camp Towanda Thursday, June 8, 2000. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Extras take a break as the camera crew prepares to shoot a scene in the movie “Wet Hot American Summer,” being filmed in Wayne County on Thursday, June 8, 2000. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Two lighting technicians take spot light meter readings as they prepare to film a scene of “Wet Hot American Summer” at Camp Towanda Thursday, June 8, 2000. Times-Tribune Archives
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- David Wain, left, and Michael Showalter practice the “pep talk” scene during filming of “Wet Hot American Summer” at Camp Towanda Thursday, June 8, 2000. Times-Tribune Archives
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- A camera operator sets up a shot while extras wait for the start of filming of “Wet Hot American Summer” at Camp Towanda Thursday, June 8, 2000. Times-Tribune Archives
“Wet Hot American Summer” and the recent series based on the film “Wet Hot American Summer – First Day of Camp” are available on Netflix.
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
