Camp John Waters, an annual gathering for superfans of filmmaker John Waters, concluded its nine-year run in September 2025. The event, held at Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut, was described as "An All-Inclusive Dreamland Sleepaway Weekend" and a "Campy Getaway with the Pope of Trash." Waters, who will be 80 in 2025, announced the camp's final year in September 2025, stating that they wanted to end the event while it was still successful and before it "petered out."
The camp was the brainchild of Waters' promoters, Toffer Christensen and Ian Brennan, and it quickly became a highly anticipated event, selling out in seconds once the final year was announced. Attendees, many of whom returned annually, formed a close-knit community, with some even getting married at the camp. Waters himself often referred to the camp as a "good cult."
Activities at Camp John Waters included costume contests, themed dance parties, talent shows, Bloody Mary Bingo, and Meet-and-Greets with Waters and guest counselors. Notable counselors over the years included Ricki Lake, Kathleen Turner, Johnny Knoxville, Traci Lords, and Mink Stole. The final camp in 2025 featured Matthew Lillard and Sam Waterston, both of whom had roles in Waters' film "Serial Mom."
