'American Idol': A trip to Idol Camp
In a world of brand extension and merchandise obsession, "American Idol" is king. Spearheaded by FremantleMedia, the company that owns the "Idol" trademark, there are the requisite T-shirts, journals, water bottles and CDs. There is also Dreyer's Choc 'N Roll Caramel "American Idol" ice cream, Karaoke Revolution's "Idol" video game and a new attraction at Disney World.
Then they opened Idol Camp.
Idol Camp is a two-week performing arts sleep-away gathering for aspiring singers, aged 10 to 15. The camp, which opened in Massachusetts last year, moved to California this summer. It costs $2,995.
For that price, the Idol Camp grounds are a tween's dream. A skate park full of half-pipes beckons thrill seekers. A 20-foot-tall inflatable glacier floats in a pond, ripe for the climbing. Among the all-terrain vehicles, the go-karts, the rope course and the horse stables, there is something for every personality.
But for the 60 or so lucky kids who have come to Lake Arrowhead's Pali Mountain to attend Idol Camp, half-pipes and go-karts are just distractions from practicing for the end-of-session production. In the grand finale, campers will sing, dance and play instruments while their proud parents and counselors look on.
When I arrived at Idol Camp's lush grounds last week, camp director Dean Cudworth -- better known as "Crunch" -- was there to greet me. Cudworth's nickname may be playful, but his attitude about show business is serious. "I in no way want to coddle these young men and women," Cudworth said of his campers. "I want them to know how hard it is."
Cudworth, an actor since age 7, is intimately acquainted with the difficulties of the entertainment world, and he readily shares his insights with his campers. "I say, 'Look, there's always gonna be someone slightly better than you. It doesn't mean you can't work, but if you get caught in this complacent state where you think you're gonna just slide through, you have another thing coming,' " Cudworth said.
continue...
Then they opened Idol Camp.
Idol Camp is a two-week performing arts sleep-away gathering for aspiring singers, aged 10 to 15. The camp, which opened in Massachusetts last year, moved to California this summer. It costs $2,995.
For that price, the Idol Camp grounds are a tween's dream. A skate park full of half-pipes beckons thrill seekers. A 20-foot-tall inflatable glacier floats in a pond, ripe for the climbing. Among the all-terrain vehicles, the go-karts, the rope course and the horse stables, there is something for every personality.
But for the 60 or so lucky kids who have come to Lake Arrowhead's Pali Mountain to attend Idol Camp, half-pipes and go-karts are just distractions from practicing for the end-of-session production. In the grand finale, campers will sing, dance and play instruments while their proud parents and counselors look on.
When I arrived at Idol Camp's lush grounds last week, camp director Dean Cudworth -- better known as "Crunch" -- was there to greet me. Cudworth's nickname may be playful, but his attitude about show business is serious. "I in no way want to coddle these young men and women," Cudworth said of his campers. "I want them to know how hard it is."
Cudworth, an actor since age 7, is intimately acquainted with the difficulties of the entertainment world, and he readily shares his insights with his campers. "I say, 'Look, there's always gonna be someone slightly better than you. It doesn't mean you can't work, but if you get caught in this complacent state where you think you're gonna just slide through, you have another thing coming,' " Cudworth said.
continue...
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