Remember “Bug Juice”? Let’s Go Back to Camp!
“Bug Juice”! Just the name brings back a tidal wave of nostalgia, right? For a whole generation, this Disney Channel show was the window into the crazy, amazing world of summer camp. We watched kids make friends, try new things, and, yeah, deal with all the drama that comes with being away from home. But have you ever stopped to wonder where all this went down? Turns out, it’s not just one place – the show actually hopped around a bit!
Season 1: Good Ol’ Camp Waziyatah in Maine
Okay, so when you think “Bug Juice,” you probably picture Camp Waziyatah in Waterford, Maine. This is where it all started, back in ’98, and where they brought the cameras back for the 2018 reboot, “Bug Juice: My Adventures at Camp.” “Wazi,” as the cool kids call it, has been around since 1922. Can you believe it? Nestled on 130 acres of gorgeous Maine woods, with its own private lake, it’s basically the quintessential summer camp. And get this: they totally embrace their “Bug Juice” fame! You can find shout-outs to the show all over their website and social media. Waziyatah offers everything from waterskiing to theater, and they really push this “no-clique” vibe, which is pretty awesome.
Season 2: Howdy From Camp Highlander in North Carolina
Fast forward to the second season, and “Bug Juice” packed its bags for Camp Highlander in Horse Shoe, North Carolina. This is another co-ed camp, but with a bit of a twist: the boys and girls bunk in separate areas. Still, they get plenty of chances to hang out during meals and evening activities. Camp Highlander is big on building character and helping kids find their confidence, which is a cool mission, if you ask me.
Season 3: New Mexico Adventure at Brush Ranch Camp
The final season of the original series took us way out west to Brush Ranch Camp in Tererro, New Mexico. Now, here’s where it gets a little bittersweet. Back in the “Bug Juice” days, Brush Ranch Camp was a thriving summer camp. But things change, you know? These days, the property is mostly used for private rentals – family reunions, corporate retreats, that sort of thing. I heard the original family sold the property and it was split up, so they’re no longer involved.
“Bug Juice”: It’s About More Than Just the Scenery
At the end of the day, “Bug Juice” wasn’t really about where it was filmed, but who it was filmed with. It was about those universal summer camp experiences: making lifelong friends, figuring out who you are, and that weird, sad feeling when it’s all over. Whether it was the classic Maine vibes of Camp Waziyatah, the character-building focus of Camp Highlander, or the New Mexico landscapes of Brush Ranch Camp, “Bug Juice” gave us a peek into a world that’s both unique and totally relatable. And that’s why we still remember it, all these years later.