It's not gonna be "Camp Doyouwannalayme"

November 9, 2006 7:49 PM

Can you provide some name suggestions for a summer camp?

Calling all those former campers out there: I'm looking for some suggestions for a name of summer camp. While I don't think it's entirely relevant, this is a summer camp for adults.

We're looking for a name that:

-is easy to spell if you've only heard it spoken
-isn't a first-nations-based (or sounding) (e.g. "Camp Cherokee)
-may have metaphorical significance
-has some relationship to the natural world or a classic camp activity
-could be turned into a .com

But really, any idea would be appreciated.

posted by gavia to Grab Bag (23 answers total)

Camp Beaver
posted by Pollomacho at 8:16 PM on November 9, 2006

How about Summer Camp? The domain my be tricky to get, but you can't get more iconic/nostalgic (if that's what you are going for) than that.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:20 PM on November 9, 2006

Legal challenges and URLs are always more difficult to overcome than coming up with a clever name. (USPTO is a good place to start the trademark search, make sure to only search relevant classes, live marks)

I'd create a formula that sounds like a typical camp and run a whole bunch of possibilities through it until you find one that clears.

Something like Camp (RealWord)-a-lot, Camp (RealWord)amee, Camp (RealWord)akee, Camp (RealWord)aka and other suffixes stolen from real camp names; replace RealWord with words related to camp.
posted by Gucky at 8:30 PM on November 9, 2006

So, using Gucky's idea... Camp Layamee?
posted by Loto at 8:34 PM on November 9, 2006

backat camp

indiansummer camp

posted by Oddly at 8:56 PM on November 9, 2006

Is there anything we should know about this camp? Is it in the mountains, by the shore, by a lake, based on art, based on writing, teaching circus skills, teaching meditation, etc? Is it in a named scenic area of a state?
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:41 PM on November 9, 2006

Camp Diablo
posted by scarabic at 9:43 PM on November 9, 2006

Is there a geological feature nearby like say XXX Creek or XXX Mountain or XXX Island?
posted by Pollomacho at 9:56 PM on November 9, 2006

Camp Lanyard
Camp Skeeter
Camp 3Leaves
Camp Rufnit
Camp Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
and ...
Camp Granada!
posted by rob511 at 9:57 PM on November 9, 2006

I understand "Jesus Camp" may be available...
posted by sourwookie at 10:55 PM on November 9, 2006

Camp Infesto?
posted by jaysus chris at 11:06 PM on November 9, 2006

Band Camp
posted by Bighappyfunhouse at 11:43 PM on November 9, 2006

Camp Crystal Lake
Camp Damp
Camp Hiking Cramp

Camp Ing
Camp Y
posted by Glow Bucket at 3:10 AM on November 10, 2006

Camp Exclusive
Camp Cell-Out
Camp No Signal
Camp Boot
Camp It-Up
Camp Chlamydia
Camp Mosquito Feast
Jurassic Park
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:42 AM on November 10, 2006

Camp Whitman
posted by headspace at 5:29 AM on November 10, 2006

Camp Ervanbeethoven
posted by Alt F4 at 8:29 AM on November 10, 2006

Camp Freddy, of course.
posted by JekPorkins at 10:06 AM on November 10, 2006

Notes on 'Camp.'
posted by box at 10:18 AM on November 10, 2006

Camp Bug Juice
Camp in Vermont for pretentious Manhattanites
posted by fixedgear at 10:29 AM on November 10, 2006

Seriously, I do like "Summer Camp." Or just "Camp."
posted by Alt F4 at 2:30 PM on November 10, 2006

Random, camp-related words, combine as you like:

flagpole, taps, sunrise, sunset, cots, sleeping bag, cobwebs (Camp Cobweb?), mildew, koolaid, fruit punch, lemonade, peanut butter sandwiches, smores, campfire, bonfire, ghost stories, plastic bags and aluminum foil, skunks, raccoons, opossums, black bears, dew, grass, forest clearing, cabin, rustic, weathered wood, kerosene, lanterns, flashlight, toothbrush, soap caddy, daddy long-legs, other spiders, horseback riding, swim cap, canoe, counselors, school bus.

P.S. There's no word to encapsulate how bad camp songs are, like this one: "my mom gave me a nickle / she said, go buy a pickle / but I didn't buy no pickle. / Instead! / I bought bubble gum! / Bazooka-zooka bubble gum! // My mom gave me a dime / she said, go buy a lime..."
posted by salvia at 3:43 PM on November 10, 2006

Ooh, if it were a camp for lawyers it could be "Camp Counselor"!
posted by Rock Steady at 7:53 AM on November 11, 2006

How about Camp Kidsaway, or camp Beekay.
posted by JamesMessick at 9:55 AM on November 11, 2006