The curse of the camofire weenies is a phenomenon that has plagued outdoor enthusiasts for years. It involves the irresistible allure of heavily discounted outdoor gear on websites like Camofire, leading to a wave of impulsive purchases and subsequent regret. Camofire, a popular online retailer, offers limited-time deals on high-quality outdoor gear. These deals can range from 40% to 70% off the retail price, making them incredibly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts on a budget. The catch, however, is that each deal only lasts for a short period of time, usually around 30 minutes, before it is replaced by a new offer. The curse begins when an outdoor enthusiast, let's call him Joe, stumbles upon the Camofire website.
"Sniffles"
Don't assume I dislike all allergists.
Award-winning storyteller David Lubar s third collection of warped and creepy tales, in which the young protagonists encounter monsters of every kind, from a thirsty vampire and wandering ghost to a dreaded math teacher and overly enthusiastic Girl Scout leader. He said visits to classrooms in a Poconos elementary school were similarly canceled because a parent complained to the principal that the stories in his Weenies series, mostly horror and science fiction, didn t all have happy endings.
The curse begins when an outdoor enthusiast, let's call him Joe, stumbles upon the Camofire website. Joe sees a deal that catches his eye – a top-of-the-line backpack at 50% off. The timer on the website is ticking down, adding to the sense of urgency.
Weenies stories inflame censor’s imagination
Eight, to be exact. Titles in this series of scary short stories for children include:
“Invasion of the Road Weenies.” “In the Land of the Lawn Weenies.” “Attack of the Vampire Weenies.” “The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies.” “The Curse of the Campfire Weenies.” “Beware All Ninja Weenies.” “Wipeout of the Wireless Weenies.” And “Strikeout of the Bleacher Weenies.”
These books have sold close to 3 million copies and won all kinds of awards and other positive recognition. They’re very popular with young people, and I can see why, just looking at the colorful covers showing live hot dogs in a wild variety of settings and knowing how much children enjoy creepy stories. I’ve read some of his other books, and they’re terrific.
So imagine the surprise of Lubar, who lives in Lower Nazareth Township, when he learned a couple of months ago that a teacher in Kansas was actively seeking to have these books banned from a middle school library because she felt many of the Weenies series story titles — for example, “Fourth and Inches,” which is about football — are sexually suggestive.
Before I share the school librarian’s letter that alerted Lubar to his unexpected notoriety, I’ll explain that attempts at censorship of books and other library materials are sufficiently frequent that the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom maintains a database of reports it receives from authors, librarians and others.
Kristin Pekoll, assistant director of the office, told me they received 275 such reports in 2015.
“They happen a lot more than is reported to us,” she added. She said their research suggests their numbers represent only about 20 percent of the challenges taking place.
With their recently upgraded database, she said, “We can track the actual language used when someone is challenging a book.
“It helps us to understand that mentality and have those conversations with people, to really share with them that their values are great for their families and themselves, but not necessarily for everybody.”
For example, she said, some people have challenged Harry Potter books, not just because of the wizardry but because the young characters are … defying authority.
Lubar told me he was scheduled once to make an appearance to encourage reading and creativity for a group of kids in a summer program — until the wife of the person running the program saw there was a ghost on the cover of one of his books. “She decided I was not fit to speak to the kids because of that anti-Christian concept,” he said.
He said visits to classrooms in a Poconos elementary school were similarly canceled because a parent complained to the principal that the stories in his Weenies series, mostly horror and science fiction, didn’t all have happy endings.
Anyway, here’s that email he received a while back, slightly abridged.
“At our middle school I have a teacher who says the chapter titles of the Weenie books are sexually suggestive to middle-schoolers. I don’t see it, but she is adamant. She has requested the Weenies be removed from the shelves of our middle school library. I am compiling information to fight this, but I wondered if you could send me anything to add to my compilation. Do you have a list of titles and the awards each book has been nominated for or won? Or maybe a list of titles and a list of moral/ethical issues included in each title? Even though I was in a middle school classroom for 16 years, she is very vocal and persistent and I think the administration would side with her over me unless I have LOTS of info backing my reasons to keep your books on the shelves.”
He responded, “Wow. I’m gobsmacked. First and foremost, thank you for your willingness to fight this.”
He referred her to a topical index he had compiled for the first four books, with subjects that included “altruism,” “internet safety,” “litter” and “medical ethics.” He also sent her examples of the awards and recognition the books have received, including one reviewer’s description of him as “The Rod Serling of Middle Grade.” He mentioned the Office for Intellectual Freedom, which she and he ended up calling.
She provided more information about the teacher’s objections, which the teacher claimed were shared by “lots” of parents, although that seems highly unlikely.
“She even went so far as to suggest the cover of the books and the word ‘weenies’ is suggestive … Please understand that neither I nor my library aide found any sexual innuendos in the chapter titles until this teacher came and told us that every sixth-grade boy would think these titles were sexual.”
She listed some of the titles the teacher thought were objectionable, including “Dead Meat,” a story in which a boy is attacked by butcher’s-case meat that comes alive; “Big Bang,” in which a girl tries to end the universe; and “The Ride of a Lifetime,” about a roller coaster. None of the titles had anything to do with sex.
After removing the books until she could investigate the teacher’s claims, the librarian wrote in her last email, “They are going back on the shelves today!”
Pekoll said it’s not always easy to stand up to misguided censorship, because jobs may be at risk.
“The principal is being pressured by parents, and he says, ‘Let’s just remove it’ — and if she doesn’t, she loses her job,” she said. “It’s hard to fall on your sword for that.”
Lubar certainly appreciated that Kansas librarian’s efforts. He concluded, “One thing I hope you’ll touch on is how awesome librarians are.”
Bill White’s commentary appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
"The Unforgiving Tree"
As you may have guessed, I started with the title. The rest was easy.
Joe contemplates the purchase, weighing the pros and cons, but ultimately succumbs to the temptation before the timer runs out. The next day, Joe eagerly awaits the arrival of his new backpack. But as he opens the package and inspects the product, he realizes that he didn't do enough research. The backpack is too small for his needs, and it lacks the features he was hoping for. Joe feels a pang of regret as he realizes he was blinded by the allure of the deal and didn't thoroughly consider his purchase. This scenario is all too common among outdoor enthusiasts who fall victim to the curse of the camofire weenies. The heavily discounted prices and time-limited deals create a sense of urgency and excitement that can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive purchases. This often results in disappointment when the product doesn't live up to expectations. To avoid the curse, outdoor enthusiasts must exercise caution and restraint. It is important to research products thoroughly before making a purchase, regardless of the deal. Reading reviews, evaluating the specifications, and considering individual needs and preferences are essential steps in making an informed decision. Furthermore, it is important to resist the allure of time-limited deals. While they may seem enticing, it is important to remember that there will always be another sale or another opportunity to find a great deal. Taking the time to evaluate purchases and making mindful decisions will ultimately lead to greater satisfaction with outdoor gear purchases. In conclusion, the curse of the camofire weenies is a cautionary tale for outdoor enthusiasts. The temptation of heavily discounted gear coupled with time-limited deals can lead to impulsive purchases and subsequent regret. By researching products thoroughly and resisting the allure of time-limited offers, individuals can avoid falling victim to this curse and make more informed and satisfying purchases..
Reviews for "Surviving the Camofire Weenies Curse: Stories of Resilience and Redemption"
1. Ryan - 1 star
I found "The Curse of the Camofire Weenies" to be a complete waste of time. The stories were poorly written and lacked any semblance of suspense or excitement. The characters were one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The book seemed to rely on cheap jump scares and gimmicky horror tropes, rather than offering any genuine fright. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unimpressed with this collection of stories.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Curse of the Camofire Weenies" had an interesting concept but failed to deliver on its promise. The stories felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more depth and substance. The plots were predictable, and there were no real surprises or twists that kept me engaged. Additionally, the writing style was lackluster and uninspiring, making it difficult to become invested in the narratives. I was left feeling bored and unsatisfied by this book.
3. Chris - 2 stars
I was initially drawn to "The Curse of the Camofire Weenies" by its catchy title and intriguing cover art. However, I ultimately found the stories to be lackluster and forgettable. The author relied too heavily on shock value and gore, rather than crafting compelling narratives. The attempts at humor fell flat, and I didn't find myself genuinely entertained or frightened. Overall, I feel like this collection of stories missed the mark and failed to live up to its potential.
4. Emily - 1 star
"The Curse of the Camofire Weenies" was incredibly disappointing. The stories lacked originality and creativity, often feeling like rehashed ideas from better horror literature. The writing itself was mediocre at best, with clunky dialogue and predictable plot twists. I was hoping for a thrilling and chilling read, but all I got was a collection of subpar and forgettable tales. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for quality horror fiction.
5. Michael - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Curse of the Camofire Weenies," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The stories felt rushed and unfinished, lacking the necessary build-up and atmosphere to create a truly scary experience. The conflicts and resolutions were predictable, leaving no room for surprise or suspense. While some of the ideas were promising, the execution was lacking. Overall, the book failed to leave a lasting impression, and I would not consider it a worthwhile read.