La Salle Oddity

By Mike McDonald
Collegian Editor
September 27, 2006

Upon meeting Ryan Johnson, one might not see anything odd about him. He is a sophomore business major who hails from Alloway, N.J.

But there’s more to him than meets the eye. For instance, there’s the big bear suit that he wears at work.

“It’s hot in that costume,” Johnson said. “You have to put the fat suit on, the fur suit, the gloves, the feet and the big hat, all in 90-degree heat.”

Johnson doesn’t have the typical summer job. He works at Tall Pines Campground, and his responsibilities on the job include dressing up as Yogi Bear.

“I can’t speak. I have to always be upbeat and friendly, and I have to be nice to all the campers. I go to some activities with them. I went on the train ride with them, and I played monster golf with them,” Johnson said of his Yogi Bear work.

As one could imagine, there are many interesting stories that come along with the Yogi Bear suit.

“One time, I was riding on the back of a golf cart in my Yogi suit, and I was on my way to a birthday party,” Johnson said. “We went under a low overpass, and the bridge hit me right in the middle of the face and knocked me all the way back. My head fell off, and there were little kids standing all around as I shouted obscenities at the driver.”

Tall Pines Campground is an all-year facility, and Johnson works there at various times during the school year. He also works during the entire summer. It’s not all fun and games for him.

“I also have to work in the reservations office, and I do some of the activities,” he said.

Overall, Johnson enjoys his work as Yogi Bear. “It’s fun to do, and there’s always something new every day,” he said. “I’ll be there next year too. Come on by and see me sometime.”

mcdonaldm1@lasalle.edu