8 Of My Favorite Summer Camp Movies

 

It's officially summer, kids are out of school. It's hot and muggy, grills are fired up, the sound of shaved ice scraping against a spoon is adored. Summer camps whether local or sleepaway are in full swing, which brings me to my topic for this blog. When I was a kid I was amazed at the summer camps I saw in movies, since at that time money wasn't a concern to me I wondered why I didn't get to go to one of those camps.

Years later now knowing how expensive those camps are, I just sit and watch the same movies over pretending I lived that sleepaway summer camp life. Since it's hot outside, I decided to bring some heat of my favorite movies held within the wooden boundaries of a summer camp.

8. A Pig's Tale

A Pig's Tale is a 1994 B-movie that I use to watch on cable all the time. To be honest looking back it's not a very good movie, but since I saw it as a kid and I am a nostalgia geek it holds a special place in my heart. It follows a simple formula of the have's vs. the have nots, a rag tag group of "misfits" known as the pig's stand up to the camp bullies. The rich kid's in camp The Wolves completely with letterman jackets (who the hell is wearing a letterman jacket in 90 + degree weather?)

If you've seen one movie about misfits against the cool kids, you are not missing anything here. However, if you stumble across it somewhere even though it's highly unlikely let your brain relax and don't expect anything from this movie you'll be fine. 

7. Camp

Camp is a 2003 film following teenage attendees of a performing arts camp, Camp Ovation. Being a performing arts camp, there is performances in this film. The heart of the film is a typical coming of age regarding teenagers trying to find themselves in a rapidly changing world. Each of the teenagers are dealing with real life issues that teenagers face. Parental pressure, crushes, weight challenges, homosexuality. Jealousy, young love any issue a normal teenager would face, a character in the film deals with it.

The film is also known for a young Anna Kendrick having a costarring role in the film. Other notable cast members include Sasha Dee who has sung backup for many artist and was a participant on The Voice. And singer Tiffany Taylor who sung one of my favorite songs from the film, Here's Where I Stand.

Another one of my favorite's is the opening song of the film How Shall I See You Through My Tears, which Sasha Dee sing's lead on alongside Steven Cutts who portrays Shaun in the film.

Camp is currently available on the CW app.

6. Sleepaway Camp

When most people think of summer camps and horror films, the first movie that comes to mind is the original Friday The 13th film and Camp Crystal Lake. Sorry to tell you, in my opinion Sleepaway Camp gives Friday The 13th a run for it's money. The film follow's a young girl Angela who is shy and quiet due to a traumatic incident earlier in her life, she attends Camp Arawak where is she bullied and tormented. 

She starts to get worried though when camp counselors and campers turn up severely injured or dead. The film contains a big twist and cover's a very relevant topic in today's world, that I can't talk about or it would spoil the movie. If you've never seen it give it a try you won't be disappointed, the original spawned four sequels.

Sleepaway Camp is currently available on Tubi and Pluto.

5. Summertime Switch

Summertime Switch is a 1994 movie starring Jason Weaver and Rider Strong, it is a TV-movie that aired on ABC for Disney's Wonderful World Of Disney programming back in the day. The basic premise follows a stereotypical trope Hollywood is known for. Jason Weaver portrays Frederick Egan a Juvenile Delinquent headed to what is essentially a youth jail disguised as a camp. Rider Strong is spoiled rich kid Frederick Egan the third headed to an upscale summer camp.

In a case of mistaken identity they are sent to the wrong camps and learn to deal with their new environments. It's not a bad movie at all, and it is actually quite enjoyable. The film includes an performance by Jason Weaver who everyone who has seen Jacksons: An American Dream or listened to Chingy's One Call Away song can attest to.

The full length version of Summertime Switch is available on YouTube....keep that on the low though.

4. Camp Cucamonga

1990's Camp Cucamonga is a made for TV movie that aired on NBC. The movie is more famous for it's cast which was a who's who of TV stars during the time than anything else. The cast included Wonder Years cast members Danica Mckeller and  Josh Saviano. Cheers cast member John Ratzenberger, Brian Robbins who was a cast member of Head Of The Class, played a role in developing Nickelodeon programming during it's golden age of the 90's and is now a co-ceo of Paramount Studios. Breckin Meyer, Chad Allen (My Two Dads, Our House) and Johnny Galecki (Roseanne, Big Bang Theory). Sherman Helmsley, TGIF stars Candace Cameron of Full House and Jaleel White of Family Matters and a young Jennifer Aniston,

The plot is pretty standard kids at summer camp fare nothing special. The most remembered aspect of the film is the camp rap Cucamonga with Jaleel White spitting bars, aided by cast member Tasha Scott belting out the vocals. Besides the hit rap, you just don't see ensemble films like this any longer. 

3. Fear Street Part Two 1978

Fear Street Part Two 1978 released in 2021 a part of Netflix's Fear Street trilogy release. All three films tie into one another to tell a complete story, and this one picks up where the first one left off. Leading to a story being told of Camp Nightwing and the horrors that occurred there. Starring Sadie Sink of Stranger Things and Emily Rudd. The pair play the Berman sisters, who are caught up in some crazy stuff happening at the camp.

Horror, suspense, twists, and a camp feeling inspired by 1970's movies like the godfather of camp films Meatballs. You should have seen this by now, but if not go ahead and check it out along with the other films in the set.

2. Heavyweights

This 1995 Disney film probably was greenlit to ride the wave of The Mighty Ducks. After all Steve Brill who wrote The Mighty Ducks also co-wrote this film in addition to directing it. It also stars Mighty Ducks alum Kenan Thompson, Shaun Weiss (Goldberg), and Aaron Schwartz. The film follows Aaron's character Gerry whose parent's send him to a camp to lose weight Camp Hope. Upon arriving at the camp, it is soon taken over by a crazed fitness instructor Tony Perkins Jr. played by Ben Stiller.

The camper's soon band together with the helpless staff to combat the psycho antics of Mr. Perkins. While also preparing for a competition against a rival camp, and learning about themselves in the process. This film actually had a strong message that went over our heads as kids about accepting yourself and having confidence in oneself.

Almost 30 years later, the film has become a cult classic for 90's kids. If you've never seen it, it's available on Disney Plus

1. Camp Nowhere

My favorite summer camp movie of all time, Camp Nowhere. Released in 1994, the film stars 90's child actors Jonathan Jackson, Andrew Keegan, Marnette Patterson, and  Melody Kay  who are all dissatisfied with their parents summer camp plans for them. They devise a plan to rump their own summer camp, one with no rules and no adults around with the exception of down on his luck actor Dennis Van Welker played by Christopher Lloyd. Paid to help keep their scheme going. Soon other kids get wind of and want in, including other child actors Allison Mack (Smallville) and a young Jessica Alba.

I remember seeing the previews for this, and then the actual film I thought it was smart of the kids to devise a plan like that. Myself wishing I could partake in that kind of adventure, it's a standard 90's kid movie and has reached cult status. If as a kid you wanted to do something super crazy be mischievous and carefree this movie gave you hope that was quite possible.

Camp Nowhere is available to watch on Disney Plus.