I’d like to wish a happy Chanukah to everyone who is celebrating it. I’m part of an interfaith family; my husband gives me presents at Christmas, and I give him presents for Chanukah. Last night, he opened this vintage board game.
My husband’s a big fan of Allan Sherman’s song parodies, so as soon I learned that this game existed I knew I would get it for him someday. It’s based on Sherman’s biggest hit, “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,” and, like the song, it explores the perils of summer camp.
This Week’s Game: Allan Sherman’s Camp Granada Game, 1965, Milton Bradley.
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- Camp Granada Game box
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- Game board
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- Game board closeup
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- Game board closeup
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- Some bus cards
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- A bunk house
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- The bus, with radiator popped out
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- The bus
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- Icky animals
The Box: Large and lime green, the box features cute cartoon illustrations and crayon-style lettering.
The Board: The board introduces you to all of Camp Granada’s “attractions,” from Cruddy Creek to Quicksand Beach to the Bawl Park.
Each player sets up a bunk house near the board.
The Object: “To be the first player to collect 3 icky animals and go home by driving the bus out the exit gate.”
Game Play: For once, I have someone to help me explain:
Players set up the game by placing an icky animal on each red space. You start the game with 3 icky animal cards. Bus cards direct you where to go on the board, and you collect whatever icky animal is waiting for you. You can only drive the bus home after you’ve collected the specific animals on your cards. You hide your cards and your animals in your bunk house, so other players don’t know what you’re looking for. In certain situations, players can steal each other’s animals. If the bus’ radiator falls out during a player’s turn, that turn is over.
Fatal Flaw: My daughter loved the sticky rubber animals in this game, and she couldn’t wait play. We had fun, but the bus is a huge pain—it’s almost impossible to keep the radiator from popping out every two seconds. The manufacturers knew this was a problem: The rules include “Special Advice from Allan Sherman” about keeping the wheels straight. The rules also allow for beginning players to have 2 or 3 “free” breakdowns in each turn.
My Thoughts: This is a clever game with lots of cute details. It’s too bad the bus doesn’t work well, but we found ways to work around the problem.
Other Spin Again Sunday posts you might enjoy:
Embarrassing Treasures 
LOL – “A game made by my uncle Milton Bradley.” This game looks really cute – even the icky animals.
When I watched that commercial with my daughter, she asked if Milton Bradley really was his uncle. : )