Summer is here and the mood is set for summer camps. While you prepare with the packing list and other planning for the upcoming camps, it is traditional and much needed for some of the best campy movies. There aren’t just the movies for entertainment, while they have a deeper morale they definitely raise spirits and bring out the awesome camp life details. It prepares and encourages our kids to be enthusiastic and excited about the summer camps
Top 10 best summer camp movies for kids:
While there are ample movies which set the tone and blend the rhythm for summer camp. We have picked the most popular vintage camp movies which were seen by us, sweared by our parents and now we are showing to our little ones.
1- The Parent Trap (both 1961 and 1998 film):
The parent trap is a classic family comedy film. The two films are the American adaptation of German novel Lottie and Lisa. It shows the camp nuances like never before. And young Lindsey Lohan in double role as identical twins mesmerizes us all through. This movie is about how a summer camp united one family and how two young kids decided to bring their separated parents back together.
The parents of these two twins Hallie and Annie got divorced at their birth and each of them stayed away from the other two. How they met at a summer camp years later and initially not communicating but finally deciding to bring their family back together. They both meet at camp Walden in Maine. When the girls meet they are unaware of their identical status. A comical hostility between the two girls leads to a brief prank war that ends when camp director and her assistant fall into one of Hailey’s traps. This leads the director to send the two girls into isolation cabin.
Staying together, just the two of them at isolation cabin, they realize they both were born on same day and each have half of torn wedding photograph of their parents. Realizing they are twins they hatch a plan to get their parents come together. The story then goes about how things shape and the fun in bringing back their parents together. A classic comedy and a must watch for all good reasons
2- Meatballs:
Meatballs is a 1979 Canadian comedy film. Appreciated for Bill Murray’s first film appearance. This is a classic cherry ode to a summer camp. Bill Murray is a quippy big brother type counselor who wants the campers to have the best summer of their lives. This movies is filmed at actual camp location in Ontario. It gives a retro feel and timeless humor. This is a PG rated film for older kids who are ready for some racier content.
Meatballs is a light screwballs comedy that became a good run at cinema. How Murray helps a boy named Rudy who has issues fitting in the summer camp. It is Murray’s character who makes him comfortable and gain self confidence and how at the end Rudy helps in Murray get together with his lady love. This is a must see camp primer
3- Camp nowhere:
This one is the most thrilling and adventurous watch for people heading to a summer camp. It is about how a group of friends diss the ides of a summer camp chosen by their parents. And then trick them into believing in their fake camp exists which they created with the help of their former drama teacher. While they enjoy at their self-created summer camp without adult supervision, until their parents make a visit.
This one is an adventure comedy, quite suitable for kids aged 7-12. While all the fun and adventure is the most scintillating part. The movie also shows how friends help each other and how staying with friends becomes the best summer of their lives. Despite all odds they finally figure out everything and all the kids return home spirited and safe
4- Heavy Weights:
A classic movie about weight camps. It isn’t easy to make a movie on weight camps but this one is truly mesmerizing. Heavyweights is a wacky and fun look at a fat camp for overweight kids. It is a light satire, without being offensive to over-weight kids. Ben Stiller’s as over the top health nut owner of the camp brings the movie as a surreal comedy.
Its an offbeat subversive film. In this movie plump kids are lured into joining a posh camp with the promise of quick weight loss and an amazing time. But the kids eventually find themselves at facility thats a woodland hellhole run by a psycho health fitness instructor. While its more of a sojourn but at first night at the camp the directors of this camp hope change and Ben Stiller takes over. He is nearly a psychopath when it comes to fitness and he cleanses the camp site for food catches brought by campers. His exercise routine outlines trendy fitness techniques that downplay fun to the point of humiliation.
5- Camp Cucamonga:
Camp cucamonga is a made for television movie featuring the who’s who of the celebrities. A young Jennifer Anniston is amazing in her role. A co-ed summer camp for teens, and all the charm of love and romance make it a must watch. This movie features almost every TV star from the era. It has all the standard camp hijinks. Including bumbling camp leaders, self-assured teen camp counselors and precocious tween campers taking their first awkward steps into dating.
Despite its light content the movie does try to address to bigger issues like divorce, acceptance, beyond cliques and the ups and downs in the life of tweens.
It is unintentionally hilarious time capsule of late 80s fashion. This one is the most harmless camp caper. Jennifer works at a typical camp run by her dad and her budding romance with a fellow camp counselor makes it romantic and ticklish. All about the classic camp saving tricks and tips. This movie is a must watch
6- Addams family values:
Addams family values is all about 2 children attending a camp for wealthy and privileged children. The kids stand out and refuse to participate in the cliche tasks at the summer camp. Instead they forge their own paths. The two Addams siblings stay largely distracted and unprofessional but once they give in and participate
It is a fantasy comedy film. Con artists decide to fleece an eccentric family using an accomplice who claims to be their long lost uncle. Spooky and creepy this movie has some scary fun imbedded. It has gothic comedy with macabre elements.
7- Summercamp:
Summercamp 2006 is a documentary which follows a day to day drama of 90 kids let loose in the woods at swift nature camp. It shows an unvarnished view of homesickness, the frustration of its counselors, and endless streams of talent shows and camp competitions. It is all about the actual day to day life and more valuable connect for younger kids
8- Camp Rock:
It is packed with squeaky packed disney bubblegum. Here a teen girl is thrilled to join a prestigious rock summer camp but makes up stories about herself to be accepted by the executive clique. Her chance of lifetime comes when she attends this camp as a cook in the kitchen. She is overheard singing but not seen by a teen pop star at the camp. he sets to find the girl with this amazing voice. But the teen girl has to overcome her fears and step out of kitchen first. It is a rock and roll Cinderella story where the Po star falls head over heels for the beautiful voice.
9- Girls Rock:
It is a documentary which focusses on rock and roll cams for girls thats helps to build confidence while they learn to express themselves thorough shredding guitar, pounding drums and screaming lyrics. The girl power message in this film is compelling and undeniable. Its about 4 girls who transform their lives at this camp. These girls have a week to sing a song, select a band and play an instrument like never before. At the end of the camp all bands perform at 700 plus concert hall. These girls rise above the gender stereotypes with a joyous concert which changes their life forever.
10- Wet hot American summer:
Rated R for just no other reason this movie is all about hilarity. Its an American satirical romantic comedy film. Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, “Wet Hot American Summer” follows a group of counselors who are each trying to complete their unfinished business before the day ends. The entire summer of pent-up sexual frustrations, unresolved post-traumatic stress, pending separations and of course, the talent show, all weigh heavily on the minds and groins of counselors and campers alike. Everyone wants the final shot at action on the last day of summer camp.
The above compilation on Top 10 best summer camp movies for kids is to help you raise the spirits of your little rovers who are just about to attend a summer camp. Make this experience a life changing and rewarding one for them These movies are sure to charm and prepare them for wonderful and enriching days at the summer camp.
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By Minu Manisha
