Hear is the real the deal. wrote:
Hey y’all. I was a female camper at new gen camp 2023 and here’s the reality. Believe me or don’t but I have nothing to hide. Ryder Lee is an amazing photographer and the theme was a y2k style bulling shoot. We were all in the media room and just sat and thought “hey wouldn’t this be funny. ” (1) and started bouncing ideas around. it was especially hilarious to us because Jackson and Hattie are some of the kindest people ever. It’s wasn’t deep at all. it wasn’t even an actual toilet. There was a fishtank with a newly bought toilet seat set up. Ryder himself even tried it out. We all just giggled at those photos.
nothing was about attention, it was about which photographer wanted who for the photoshoots and who had time. Ryder, along with other media kids, would spend HOURS and would even stay up till 4 am or later to try to get all of their work done. By then end of camp everyone was exhausted because we poured our hearts into everything we did at camp.
as for what we learned. It was about NIL deals, reaching out to potential clients and companies, how to market ourselves and our content, creating connections in running media, storytelling, intentions, etc.etc. The counselors were always available to us and helped us as much as they could with the week we had. Although to be honest, I learned the most from the campers around me. They all have a vision, either in running or in media, and truly are chasing their dreams constantly.
I can say on my life that Ryder, nor anyone at our camp, would say the homophobic comments that were made. Kids can be trolls. I understand how the situation can be seen as problematic and the homophobic comments are inexcusable however that truly doesn’t and shouldn’t reflect on New Gen let alone the campers involved at all. If a Taylor Swift fan is racist, that doesn’t mean Taylor Swift and her entire fan base is racist. (2) You don’t get mad at 2000s movies for putting a girl in an actual swirly, and I bet most of you still enjoy watching mean girls.
the goal of the photoshoot wasn’t to spark conversation or to send an underlying message. It was literally just fun for all. If you don’t like it then scroll or sure go ahead leave a comment calling it disappointing. Making a whole scene out of it and constantly replying back to a bunch of teenagers just to spark a fight seems more immature to me. (3) She could’ve hit up Ben and been like “yo get your kids right” or sent Matt a “hey this photoshoot didn’t sit right with me and here’s why.” She didn’t do that. She immediately went for Ryder Lees balls and started calling him a misogynist with photos “that reek of the male gaze.” All from one photoshoot that we all had fun with.
As for Kailey and Hattie. I didn’t talk to them much but I know enough to where none of you have the right to be making assumptions on them. They are kind and hardworking women that literally just had some fun w the photos.
If any of us actually got assaulted we’d be going crazy about it I promise you. We do media on the daily. It would’ve already been out.
No one knows what happened at camp. No one knows who the kids actually are. Only we do. If you want to poorly on it then go ahead but everyone involved at New Gen are genuinely amazing and talented people. Trust me when I tell you I’d be the first to crap on anyone if they royally messed up. (4)
I bet hard money that none of you have had a genuine conversation with any of us and therefore don’t actually know what you’re talking about especially when it comes to New Gen itself. To us you all just sound poorly misinformed and looking for a fight with some teenagers.
1) why is a bullying theme funny?
2) that's a completely inaccurate comparison, and you also can't speak to the character of many of these people if you've only known them for a short camp
3) calling out an organisation promoting unsavoury behaviour is immature? and stop fabricating that this is a load of adults picking on "a bunch of teenagers" / "looking for a fight with some teenagers" just to position yourself as victims
4) so calling people out isn't OK unless you're the one doing it? hypocrite.
The bottom line is you seem like a nice enough person, but you've made some completely irrelevant points here that I've refrained from highlighting. You also still have alot of growing up to do (not as much as some of the people running the camp) and may realise in time how poorly executed this all was. I appreciate you being defensive because you were involved with the camp, but think properly about even some of the things you've said here and understand that if you're doing all this learning about brand awareness and marketing, then the images you put out to the world and the message they send MUST BE THOUGHT THROUGH THOROUGHLY. You cannot just sling something online 'because it's funny'. especially in a business context? You must always consider how this will be received.
P.S. - Starting with "Ryder Lee is an amazing photographer.." is straight out the book of "my friend was racist but he's a really nice guy, honestly". Dude can take nice pictures and be problematic at the same time.