Summer Camp is Now in Session
PLUS: Wisconsin's most haunted state parks
Every summer camp always seems to have a spooky legend.
When I was 10, I was sent to a bible camp for a week in the UP called Lake Ellen. We shot .22 rifles and recurve bows in the woods. Swam in the lake. Attended church service every day. I got in trouble a lot. A kid in my cabin named the fly buzzing in the window "Sexy Legs." Good times.
Even church camp had a legend. At Lake Ellen, they told us about the mad, axe-murdering Lake Ellen monk who stalked the woods after dark.
Of course, he probably only existed to keep us in our cabins at night.
But, that's why summer camp is so enchanting: Unique experiences, bunking with deranged weirdos, cult indoctrination, and supernatural mass murder.
By the time I embarked on the rite of passage known as 6th grade camp, I was making up my own legends to scare kids.
There's no doubt some version of a Jason Voorhees-like figure stalking every summer camp in the country. There’s likely to be a few vengeful Native American spirits, as well, not to mention whatever these people witnessed at a camp near Oxford, WI.
Earn your first Weird Explorer Badge!
This summer, I’m taking you all to camp. I guess that makes me your camp counselor, for better or worse. You’ll visit some weird places, earn some weird badges, and level up. There’s no church this time (unless it’s haunted), the ghosts and monsters are plentiful, it’s choose your own adventure, and the deranged weirdo you bunk with is entirely up to you.
Here’s how it works:
Activities range from viewing posts and adding comments/reviews to sending in a selfie from legendary Wisconsin locations and events.
📷Example #1: Send in a selfie from the 40th Anniversary Screening of Blood Hook in Hayward this month to earn an epic rare badge you’ll never be able to earn again.
📷Example #2: Send in a selfie with an extraterrestrial at one of Wisconsin’s UFO hotspots to earn your Abductee badge.
📷You can also submit non-selfie photos of amazing places and experiences for Photo of the Week.
If you do something unique or send a photo from a location there’s no badge for yet, I’ll make one.
PLUS every activity earns ExP (Explorer Points) so you can level up. ExP will also be used to unlock other goodies, such as digital downloads, discounts in the Wisconsin Frights shop, etc.
New badges, activities, and rewards will be added over time.
Are you ready to get weird?
🡆 Send photos to: explore@wisconsinfrights.com
*Submitted photos will be featured on the Wisconsin Frights site, newsletter and social media.
👉If you have a business with a physical location and would be interested in displaying a QR code so campers can earn a badge for visiting, HIT ME UP.
Wisconsin’s Most Haunted State Parks
From the haunted campgrounds and lighthouse of Rock Island to the mounds of Aztalan where human sacrifice and cannibalism may have taken place, Wisconsin’s beautiful state parks are full of natural and supernatural wonders.
***Plus you’ll earn your Haunted Camper badge for viewing this article! Just make sure you’re logged in when you view it.
June Observances
June 13 - Friday the 13th + Ghost Story Festival in Beaver Dam
June 14 - Flag Day (started here in Wisconsin)
June 21 - 40th Anniversary Screening of Blood Hook
June 23 - Pink Flamingo Day
June 24 - Flying Saucer Day
Join the Fright Club
Want more weird Wisconsin? Join the premium Fright Club for ad-free and exclusive content, access to the interactive map of strange destinations all over the state, and more things in the works.