WHY WOODWARD SUCKS NOW

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In this video, I talk about my experience with Camp Woodward, how it has declined in popularity, the @cancelwoodward Instagram page, and a history on how Camp Woodward gained initial notoriety. Personally, I wouldn't be where I am without the opportunities this camp has given me, but this is a subject that I felt obligated to share.
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[@GeekLevelAsian]

I went to Woodward three years in a row from the age of 13. I'm almost 40 now and let me tell you, it was a free for all. It was absolutely incredible. We literally did whatever we wanted. No cell phones back then either...no social...so you were really disconnected. My counselers, I doubt had ANY experience working with kids. My teacher I remember one year was Jonah Owings, he was super chill. I think the next year it was this dude named Buzzy. I still to this day, sometimes have dreams about being there, and I wake up and realize I'm old...and it sucks lol.

[@MattDiGi]

It may just me my perspective but I feel as if 2016 was it’s last great year… good times, the dreams persist

[@NorthernGrim]

That was always a dream to go over there, since youtube was created I remember seeing videos of the place and man, I always wanted to go! Only the lucky few from the UK got to go (money reasons). I'm nearly 30 now and still wish I could have gone back in the day!

[@GeekLevelAsian]

​@@NorthernGrim What was jarring was that all of the ramps, are WAY bigger in person. I remember watching Colony of Summer 2 and 3 as a kid, and being like, Ok i'm gonna do this, this and this. When I got there, the ramps were like, double the size that I thought they were.

[@joebortschellertattooandart]

Woodward was amazing in the late 90s … a free for all.. flirting with the gymnastics girls, pranks, hi jinks, and insane skating. The RDS team was there and sluggo was ripping the vert at the time.

[@swiftxrapid919]

Heaven is going to be better you must become born again asap

[@Nonshillnot]

I was a camper in the late 2000s and when I turned 18 I worked for Woodward as a couceler. Some of the best years of my freaking life dude. I wanna cry when I think back to it. As a kid - the cabin wars, stealing husks of corn from the farms, getting shot with paintballs for sneaking out, hitting on girls, pranks galore!! As a young adult - shit faced at the quarry bonfire, hitting on women, still stealing husks of corn, late night sessions till 4am in the closed parks, smoking weed with pros...it was a time man.

[@funfinding4two955]

When I was a kid my mom saved up at the time the $550 for a week to send me there one summer, I then got invited back as camp ridding instructor for the next 3 summers. Some of the best memories I have from now 25 years ago. I love that place, hope it keeps going strong

[@jjopyu1945]

When Powdr took over I can definitely see a change in management. This year we had all new management and it was constantly changing with people leaving and coming in to work there. As I enjoyed my time there. It was evident that poor management and overshadowing by Powdr corp has had an impact on food, conditions, and overall policies that detract from the camp experience that I remembered.

[@TumbleSensei]

100 percent. I do the gymnastics side and we can find plenty of money to pay special guests to come, but not get new equipment or the quality coaches that we need to actually pull in good athletes. Its also a shame what the staff have to endure living there. The lofts are a hazard to human health, and the inn isn't much better. The turnover of staff is just unbelievable in the management side. When the camp director QUITS before camp even starts... you know you've got serious problems.

[@jjopyu1945]

@@TumbleSensei Woodward only passed one thing on the American Camp Association checklist. Also did you know that the lofts used to be old chicken coops?

[@TumbleSensei]

@@jjopyu1945 thats amazing they passed so little, but honestly I don't doubt it. Yeah I remember getting lost caught and Maverick told us about the history of the camp and those lofts.

[@boogiekush9391]

Been going since I was 13 , first year I didn't go and I'm 25, I used to live there year round as a lost boy . Once Garry got caught up stealing hella money he sold his shares to powder. Garry is an awesome guy and always looked out for the staff and kids there , always treated everyone with respect. Once he sold the camp immediately became less "core' and more of a daycare / Olympic training facility. I finally quit last year because it was so fucking corporate and bullshit . I know a lot of the dirty secrets of this place and will forever cherish the amazing and wonderful people I've met through Woodward, the company and corporate side of Woodward is garbage but the physical place and connections you make their are beautiful

[@boogiekush9391]

I have so much to say good and bad about this place

[@nefnaefoinfsedrngerign]

I’m 17 and have been going to camp every year since I was 11, this summer was my last summer as a camper and I fully plan to still work at Woodward next year because I still do truly love it, but…every year past 2019 the camp really started to fall, just in minor ways but it adds up, the food this year was the worst it’s ever been, and I agree that once corporate took over, it did become more about money, and more money in corporate pocket. But non the less, next year I as well fully plan to apply to be a lost boy (I’ll be 18 by then) unless you gotta be older then 18? But yes I agree camp is not what it was but I still do love camp and consider it a second home just like many others

[@PeepGamePopoff]

The term lost boy is such a hilarious term for ppl who stay at Woodward all summer + more

[@bored2323]

Make a video and expose there dirty secrets so people are aware

[@doclime4792]

Dirty secrets? Thats pretty disgusting you're sitting here flaunting that man.

[@iangleason]

Gary sold his 50 percent my counsler told me

[@MattDiGi]

There is another giveaway this week! Like & sub, follow the gram, and fill out the form in the description! (thanks for the recent love on this vid!)

[@Badmadworld90]

It was an old slap article rom their forum I believe Wade was even almost kicked off the New Deal for it but I can't find the article and it's like they scrubbed the internet of any mention of it. If you are interested in a pretty fucked up story Chase Webb and Nyjah Huston were accused "allegedly of raping an unconscious girl at Nyjah's house while David Loy filmed it , that story is easy as hell to find. But yeah if you want to find some info on woodward and how their really fucked up check out the slap forum and look for links to back up the claims a lot of the stuff they say is all alleged but a lot is also true

[@Badmadworld90]

Ohhh it was Neil Hendrix not Wade my bad ehhh that's how rumors start, Neil was the one from woodward that some girl accused him of raping her

[@Badmadworld90]

Here's an actual article from jenkum www.jenkemmag.com/home/2018/10/29/understanding-neal-hendrix-allegations-power-dynamics-skateboarding/

[@Badmadworld90]

If you need anything else man or wanna talk hit me up I love skating and know a shit ton about it, I'm always down to chat about it

[@va-va-voom]

I’ve seen every season, every episode, every clip, I loved Woodward. I’ve never been able to afford to go, and this is my first year. My sister went for cheer and after the closing of cheer, we ofc didn’t know why they would close it. I did my research and found out why. I was disgusted over the main reason and also feel like it is missing it’s “charm.” Times change and it will always not be as good as the year before and that sucks. I think we need to accept it and try to change it so kids can go and have the same experience that previous kids have had despite of management and how its run. Kids want to have fun, learn, make friends, and feel like they are special, woodward was made to bring that to kids and the people running it need to remember that!

[@dezero1035]

I like that this isn't like a hate video but actually cares about Woodward and its current state

[@muckfish7905]

watching this a year later and just got back from Woodward pa, I ride BMX and I can say that it was a really fun experience, but Gary Ream is no longer the owner of Woodward, Powdr, a company out west known for managing ski resorts. I fell that as soon as they brought in Powdr, everything went down hill, I went in 2019, before Powdr was in control and I can say that was the most fun year at Woodward that was there, they had paintball and horse riding, and even a ropes course, you could take a break from skating or riding if you wanted, and that was a nice option just to know that you had a place to go if not wanting to ride. but as soon as Powdr came in, they took it all away, the community is still extremely fun and welcoming, but the whole aura of the camp is just sad now, even the staff, who get to ride for free, and get paid, are still unhappy with how they are being treated by Powdr, so hopefully sheckler or someone else takes a stand against Powdr, and get woodward back to what it was before, they also removed Gymnastics and Cheer this year, which I don't find right because Gymnastics and Cheer is what build this camp that we love, and now they took it away, I feel that Powdr is trying to sweep woodward off its feet.

[@muckfish7905]

I also was talking with some of the woodward bmx kids, that were on the show, and they said that they had a book of tricks to do for the camera, and they had to film a certain amount of hours a day, to me that doesn't sound unscripted and fun, that sounds like a job.

[@silentfox8]

i worked there in 2019 when there was a transfer of ownership of woodward pa. Powdr Corp is the now largest shareholder of the camp and they made lots of changes that drove many employees (including myself) to leave the camp.

[@ryancuda45]

if you go, dont smoke and dont drink and dont cause to much drama and you will be fine. or they will kick you out and your parents will be out big money. peer pressure and being cool is not why you are there. you have to be on your best behavior at these camps.

[@crimnvL]

loved my time at woodward in 2014 and 2015 good times

[@boogiekush9391]

Seriously the best years of that place

[@thundersquid5715]

This is how I feel about gentrification in my LA neighborhood, never been to woodward though but I plan on taking a trip one day looks fun but expensive I hear

[@Trailtested]

Greate video young man, I worked as the photographer and instructor and counselor for east in 08/09 Gary is very much a businessman, but truly cared about the kids and his staff

[@jacoboshobos]

I miss the older seasons of the Woodward show when they would help less fortunate skaters make a career, rather then bring skaters who have it made

[@kordel_alcorn_white]

This !

[@MattDiGi]

For real!

[@afterdark6822]

I use to race on the old bmx track when I was a kid between 1983 -1986. I remember one time Mike Maranda took a race down with me. Good times.

[@PeepGamePopoff]

There was a hugeeee difference of Woodward in the late 90s / early 2000s compared to now… 20 years ago the shit was marketed and maintained as a real dreamland… it was unbelievable and the $$$ was rolling in 10x more in the early 2000s

[@failadin1]

Woodward was the fucking DREAM back then.. i wanted to go so bad.

[@benvarley2927]

Woodward went so downhill. See that add in the start? 140 a week for kids. You look online, its almost 2 grand for a week at woodward, plus passport, health/life insurance (from me being born out of the USA). That doesnt cover cost of bringing gear, extra parts, money for food, etc.

[@kordel_alcorn_white]

You nailed it ! This was a very professional and effective way to point out some serious issues of woodward rm. I agree that since cooky powder corp got involved the overall vibe and experience has gone wayy down hill i worked at and helped open the woodward in park city utah and it felt like a joke vs my experience as a camper when i was younger at west and copper. Another thing id like to see them bring back is support of inline skating.

[@MattDiGi]

thanks bro!

[@Sharkyv1]

Here's the thing you can't just expect people to not get hurt

[@ChrisC-vk4jf]

I'm going to be 50 in November and I remember begging my mom to send me, but the price was still $1500 ,but maybe that was 2 weeks. She never caved and I was bummed ,so off to play in the streets I went.

[@CarsCatAliens]

Well of course there wasn't a cancel Woodward mentality until recently. Us old heads simply don't spend money at places we're "against" instead of complaining

[@billjohn2707]

Only the real ones !

[@MichaelScootNorwesh]

I agree completely. I mean look at what happened this year, they completely removed gymnastics and cheer which was how Woodward started. Now camp is all dude and is catered to beginners, not up and coming skaters (even tho most the parks are more advanced). I went to lake Owen in 2012 (a woodward in Wisconsin) then woodward East I’m 2013,14,and 15. Then I worked at East 2019,20,21 and 22 at west. I went to west this year for a week to see some homies (couldn’t work there this year since I graduated college and have a big boy job) but yeah place is falling apart which is sad because it really could be as amazing as it used to be. The main issue I see is that Powdr sees employees and a means to an end rather than actually caring for its employees and as you said they care more about customer acquisition rather than focusing on giving campers the best time of their life.

[@expersteez]

Lake Owen was awesome, super lucky to have gone there, I was there 2005 and 2006.

[@supertyler96]

I loved my time at WoodWard as a kid. I remember being so stoked when I got the woodward season 1 in my package that came the following summer. I actually was in a few second of the season two show. The only qualm I have with Woodward was them handing out redbulls like they were candy to kids... I was 11/12 shotgunning redbulls... probably not the best LOL. Recently found out that my camp counselor one year also passed away, which was a HUGE bummer

[@morgang3299]

They just canceled their gymnastics and cheer programs indefinitely. Sexual misconduct. Disgusting.

[@deefence72]

This guy looks like the Camp Woodward valedictorian

[@MattDiGi]

🤣

[@jimjambmx1872]

I just went to the over the bars adult weekend. It was my first time there. And I’m 28. As an adult, I feel like it’s way better to just go to an adult weekend for $300 with food and cabins included. Way cheaper than getting a hotel and meals for two nights and you get three days of 2.5 days of sessions. Attending the events is optional but obviously encouraged. That’s the way to do it.

[@draleigh8881]

Sheckler wouldn't put his name on something he didn't have an actual part in. whatever you may think of him, dudes a legit good human being.

[@jeffspicoli2643]

I just saw Sheckler say that he was paid a million dollars for the "chesty" AXE Body Spray commercials in the 90's and for promoting the skin care product Proactive... and he never had issues with acne his entire life. Would Ryan endorse something he's not involved with? I think he has and I think he would... money doesn't talk... it screams.

[@draleigh8881]

@@jeffspicoli2643 were talking about skateboarding tho bro he also has his sandlot east skatepark at Woodward east now. Making money isnt bad man.

[@BB-rt9nc]

Went to Woodward in 93 it was mad fun. Lord of the flies fun. Don Barley was there before he blue up and Tas Pappas . I still tell stories about it and I’m 45

[@snowboarder4700]

Also there’s the scandals about the gymnastics and cheerleading stuff with there being people who were sexually harassing the girls and even some guy coaches who turned out to be pedophiles. Not good. They dropped both sports. But also there’s the part where gymnastics and cheer aren’t labeled under the banner of “extreme sports” as it is not under events like red bull, dew tour, xgames, etc.

[@williamzboch2774]

I went every year growing up and even worked as a councilor it’s crazy seeing every year how things have gone down in quality and slowly gotten worse it’s sad a lot of my best memories are there

[@kaspar_1982]

I sailed 9 days on the ocean liner queen mary 2 from new york to hamburg germany all expenses paid for exactly what it cost for a kid to go to woodward for less than a week. ☹ i would be willing to bet my dining experience and cabin was at a higher level than woodward. for 1599 they better be serving gourmet food, an innerspring mattress, private bath, and a spa. 😀

[@okc9507]

Yo please what song is this. I know it's resonance but what's the remix name. I need this bad.

[@MattDiGi]

Resonance Relayer Travel Mix

[@coreystack5655]

The older i get, the more good things change for the worse. Everything i loved at 16 is far differnt and basically ruined. This must be why mr jay dalton quit working there. In his video he only said he didnt agree with the changes. One day this place will be apartments or nursing homes.

[@itmightgetdark]

I think Sheckler designed a new skate park/ section of one of the camps, not the whole camp itself. my buddy did the finishing/ interior design work in it. I also had a buddy who was a camp for many seasons and he loved it. Woodward was always a dream to me when I was growing up skating. I'm way way past the age of going now, but I bet its still a great experience, despite the corporate tides changing.

[@johnCjr4671]

Good Points , stay involved , do what you can to keep it Pure ! 😊

[@jasonmckeel4627]

I run the skate program at Woodward PA, and have lived on site since May of 2021. The thumbnail got me to click, but your talking points got me to stay. Very well articulated, and you aren’t wrong at all. Though I wish you were. You did great research for this and I hope we can find a common ground between the action sports demographic and the corporate mindset. They don’t mix well.

[@lfrizzlyl2244]

groomer

[@SandwichTech_]

I love the camp Woodward shows! Seasons 1-6 of the show were the prime seasons💯🐐 They never put season 1-5 on yt so I had to see them on Amazon prime. The first 6 seasons had the same kids with new campers every season but when season 7 began it felt so different.

[@AndySo2000]

I went to Woodward called Lake Owens in Winsconsin in 1992. It rained everyday but like 2 days I was there. The ramps were all wood and falling apart, they had a bad little 80s style street section and very steep spine ramp ad a vert ramp, which was dead in 92. Oddly enough Eddie El Gato was the head guy for the skate camp, he brought along an unknown at the time Eric Koston who was a camp councilor. Eddie El Gato was very religious all the time and I was a punk kid, I honestly still dont like him till this day. I hated the camp and couldn't wait to go home. I almost left early and I would have if I could. I was in junior high then, and the town I was from had a pay to play indoor skatepark that was really good at the time. There was only like 40 skateparks in the world in this period of time. Skating was dead and very small compared to nowadays, it was the summer after Plan B Questionable came out. Which changed skating forever. In short the camp was really bad! Also El Gato is a religious freak! I don't remember Koston but he hadn't blown up yet. I didn't know he was there until I saw his Epicly laterd. He has footage of him skating there in H Street Next Generation. There is a bit of footage of that camp in that era in various old skate videos. I thought the place sucked, and it's crazy how big it is now! Honestly in comparison to the 90's, woodward has come a very long way!

[@PimpinOutBlocks]

Woodward was some of the greatest times of life during the summers. Meeting other people an making friends from all over the world. No phones just pure freedom great times an awesome people.

[@Buffalosabskis]

I went in 2003, 2004 and 2006. I got "tapped" in each year which meant free weeks, but that's also how they made money from people buying stuff etc. Back then pros needed a helmet and pads. Obviously so did campers. I just wore pants which was lame because it was very warm. Other than that it was fun. At the time it was pretty loose other than the pads. My counselor was always like 18 and pretty much just called out names at 10pm. Biggest issue was someone peed on a guy's bunk lol

[@JoshKreuger]

great video bro

[@Creighton_skaten]

Speaking the 100% truth, went this past summer, more skateparks more rules. So it was cool, but not even close to the same experience I had when I first went, more kids, more people throwing down. Hope someone turns it around, if not Woodward won’t last another year

[@openyoureyes7144]

I’ve been to West many times over the last2 decades-I heard Sheckler and other guys liked to play touch butt under the ramps at night.

[@snowboarder4700]

Mind you some of these kids are actually wanting to do this. 😂 i know people who have ridden at and worked for woodward and talked to them about it too! 😂

[@lynch42o]

One thing you'll learn as you get older, nothing good last forever. All good things must come to an end.

[@lovisakevatdottir8909]

I wish I could have gone to Woodward. My time has long passed

[@NinjaNerosis]

Nowadays* "Fuckin mint 👌"

[@Acemusicalbeats]

so fax i went to camp when gary was involved and now that hes gone its been falling off ever since

[@imalright2837]

If Black Ninja had his way Woodward would be canceled

[@ZForce151]

Can I buy a woodward franchise in Canada?

[@77hoolie]

What’s the alternative ? What do people want to replace Woodward ? Be careful what goes viral - the loss of Woodward would be detrimental for the sport.

[@loganwallace1902]

Jesus he just said fuel TV I feel like a kid again

[@Victoria-bb4sk]

when he hit hs head on the ramp i felt that shit

[@quentincook5966]

What really sucks about woodward the price to go for a week!!!! I mean I get they haft to make money but 750 a week come on. I always wanted to go when I was a teenager but unfortunately was never able. Now I’m 20 and have the means to go and can but I’m not a kid anymore!!!😢 sucks bc this place looks so fun and it especially did bwfk then. Around where I have always lived in a small town of 2,500 people we have one janky skatepark.

[@kylec.8350]

Remember this from Dave mirra bmx ps2.

[@TumbleSensei]

#CancelPOWDR

[@snowboarder4700]

Fuel tv - ryan sheckler as a kid. 😂

[@kirkmoore5951]

You nailed it

[@jamesgarland8322]

Woodward west at least just isn’t that special anymore cause the parks arnt that different from anything you can skate anywhere else . Their all just street plazas except for the hangar now . I wouldn’t wanna spend a week there if I was a kid either it would get really boring .

[@mdm2186]

KILLA BEEZ

[@Mrcarti45]

im in the vid im the kid on the ss on top the roof

[@J.W.Brogan]

That's not what "disenfranchised" means.

[@kalibkukus8888]

Fuel tv was my shit

[@gthisiseasy]

That's what your get for not accepting my letter for scholarship when i was 13. I'm now 30. Thanks for nothing karma is a bitc

[@SongJLikes]

‘ Why Matt Digi Sucks Now ‘ See what I did?

[@Dutch0wnage99]

Im never this early. Thats rad.

[@basedsigma621]

Nah that kader meme outrageous

[@omarrios691]

Super early love the vids 🖤🖤🖤

[@bozyb5702]

I fucking hate Woodward now. I love going there but hate the rules and regulations they have. I talked to a kid at my local skatepark that used to work there and he said he quit because they push real hard on some political bullshit and the staff is just rude as can be. I have to agree with him on that because I have had more bad times then good ones at Woodward. This is Woodward Tahoe witch I have been told by staff it's a completely different branch of Woodward compared to the others so the rules are different. This should be a place for people to come and enjoy themselves and feel the positive vibes. Not at all. 9 times out of 10 when I go to Woodward Tahoe the staff seems like they are high and most of them are using the park and not paying attention to what's going on in the park. I can't tell you how many times I have seen accidents almost happen in the foam pit because the staff is either riding scooters or socializing with their friends that are there. I have some social issues with how people are now days and going to Woodward gives me anxiety cause I know that it's a guarantee some bullshit is gonna happen. Sucks to see such a great place to to the dark side.

[@gordrilla]

😂

[@ORIGIN.RIDER11]

It is the skaters fault not the parks fault😂

[@blakebikess]

Gary runs it

[@Kdawg-2010]

You can’t be mad cuz kids are just eating crap

[@Zachary721]

Bro if you got a problem with Ryan get over it he way better than you anyway

[@MattDiGi]

who says i gotta problem with ryan 🤣 I don’t run cancelwoodward

[@skatiemustard11]

They keep building new parks and improving everything, how’s it getting worse?? lol

[@111matt]

Big doinks!!

[@111matt]

Woodward been around so long man the parents know what it is lol it's the kids that probably dont

[@user-bb9oj9ow1q]

gay gay gay

[@Jensocunt]

I love cancel woodward it’s the funniest page on Instagram