Pizza Camp: it’s a real thing. And for fans of the Italian staple (anyone who possesses both a pulse and taste buds), this new overnight getaway is the next best thing to join the metro area’s event and entertainment scene. Launched for the first time last year, Pizza Camp returns to the Twin Cities this fall with a kickoff social at Bauhaus Brewery on September 12 before a small staff and expected group of about 50 campers make their way to Baker Park Reserve for the night. Founder of the Minneapolis Pizza Club and Pizza Camp co-director Paige Guggemos has the scoop on what to expect.
What’s the general camper scene? Couples, friends, family members?
Campers are anyone 21+ who love the sound of eating pizza in nature. Last year we got a cool mix of singles, friends, lovers, birthday groups, and co-workers.
What makes Baker Park Reserve a good location?
It puts the “camp” in Pizza Camp! It’s ideal. Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement is a rad space with cool electricity-free cabins and an authentic lodge space and kitchen with an ideal proximity to the Twin Cities. It’s only a short drive from Minneapolis and just far enough out to see the stars and be immersed in nature. Plus they run awesome programs like canoeing and archery, which we get to offer to our campers.
Anything new or different from last year’s camp?
We’ve got some new tricks up our sleeves. This time we’re having a public kick-off party at Bauhaus Brewery before taking the campers out to Pizza Camp on school buses. We also built our own mobile pizza oven with help of some carpenter friends. And this year, dinner will feature a pizza buffet prepared by local pizza chefs. Plus we’re teaming up with Grown-Up Club for all kinds of crazy activities. Campers can participate in authentic summer camp activities like taking ranger led adventures in canoeing and archery, swimming, day and night nature walks, crafts, camp-style meals, and campfires.
Talk to us about the BYOB policy. What’s acceptable?
Beer & wine in containers of 750 ml or less. So a bottle of wine is great, but a box of wine is out. Or a six, twelve, or 24 pack of beer is totally welcome, but a keg isn’t. These are the rules stipulated by the Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement and so we’ve got stick to them.
What was the idea behind partnering with the Grown-up Club for camp activities and entertainment?
Grown-up Club is an awesome team of funmakers. They’ve been organizing unmissable events and have the best spirits. Plus, the organizers attended last year’s Pizza Camp and were so full of ideas for making it the best pizza party ever that we knew they’d make the perfect camp counselors. They’ve got a ton of surprises and activities planned and are basically the spirit guides of pizza camp.
