We ♡ This
Our favorite camp moments in pop cultureHere at Veronica Beard, we're big fans of the 1989 film Troop Beverly Hills, which stars Shelley Long as Phyllis Nefler, a tony socialite who takes over a local troop of girl scouts. Naturally, hijinks ensue of the posh-meets-hoi polloi sort—she takes the kids camping in the Beverly Hills Hotel and distributes merit badges in jewelry appreciation and divorce-court attendance.
But this cult classic isn't our only camping pop-culture obsession. Here, we share our top picks in the categories of film, books, television and podcasts—plus, honorable mentions, of course.
Shelley Long, right, with a young Jennifer Lewis in Troop Beverly Hills
BEST FILM: Troop Beverly Hills
Run don't walk to see/stream/download this movie. You'll laugh, you'll cry (from laughing) and you'll never look at camping the same again. When another troop leader questions her idea of "roughing it" at the Beverly Hills Hotel, she snaps back, "One bathroom for nine people? Yes."
Honorable Mentions: The Parent Trap, both the Hayley Mills and Lindsay Lohan versions, and Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom
BEST BOOK: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Cheryl Strayed's 2012 memoir Wild may be the obvious answer here, but we're still going to go ahead and name it tops because, well, it's a fantastic read. There's a reason it was a number one on The New York Times Best Seller list and the first pick for Oprah's Book Club 2.0. It was so beloved that Reese Witherspoon produced—and starred in—a film adaptation two years later.
Cheryl Strayed's 2012 memoir Wild may be the obvious answer here, but we're still going to go ahead and name it tops because, well, it's a fantastic read. There's a reason it was a number one on The New York Times Best Seller list and the first pick for Oprah's Book Club 2.0. It was so beloved that Reese Witherspoon produced—and starred in—a film adaptation two years later.
Honorable Mentions: Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica by Sara Wheeler—which even won over the famously tough book critic Michiko Kakutani of The New York Times—and the humorous Paddle Your Own Canoe by actor and comedian Nick Offerman
BEST TELEVISION SERIES: Schitt's Creek
OK, we know this award-winning sitcom, which airs its last season next year, isn't exactly about camping. But, like Troop Beverly Hills, it's a fish-out-of-water story: spoiled well-to-do New Yorkers roughing it in a rural, run-down small town. And, oh, the fashions—they're outrageous but absolutely fabulous. Picture veteran actress Catherine O'Hara swanning about the countryside in glamorous gowns, a bright red lip, dramatic hats and wigs, so many wigs.
OK, we know this award-winning sitcom, which airs its last season next year, isn't exactly about camping. But, like Troop Beverly Hills, it's a fish-out-of-water story: spoiled well-to-do New Yorkers roughing it in a rural, run-down small town. And, oh, the fashions—they're outrageous but absolutely fabulous. Picture veteran actress Catherine O'Hara swanning about the countryside in glamorous gowns, a bright red lip, dramatic hats and wigs, so many wigs.
Honorable Mentions: Both Wet Hot American Summer series on Netflix, sequels to the film of the same name, and the reality series Flippin’ RVs for the HGTV-loving set.
BEST PODCAST: She Explores
Hosted by Gale Straub, this podcast is "for and about women who are inspired by time spent outside," as the tagline goes. Episodes range from "Adventure Moms: Getting Out There With (and Without) Your Kids" to a chat with serial outdoor entrepreneur Jen Gurecki.
Hosted by Gale Straub, this podcast is "for and about women who are inspired by time spent outside," as the tagline goes. Episodes range from "Adventure Moms: Getting Out There With (and Without) Your Kids" to a chat with serial outdoor entrepreneur Jen Gurecki.
Honorable Mentions: Women on the Road, also from the creators of She Explores, and Wild Ideas Worth Living, which is sponsored by REI
Below, from left: Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and Annie Murphy in Schitt's Creek