If you’re sending your kids off to camp this summer, get them in the sing-along mood with these five classic camp movies. And if no one is packing a trunk, pitch a tent in the living room and microwave some s'mores because these films are the perfect way to get in the mood for summer!
The Parent Trap (1961): For a real summer-camp vibe, show your kids the original Parent Trap starring Haley Mills. The first quarter of the movie is a fantasy of what summer camp should be: sailor uniforms, marching while singing, canoeing and pranks galore. This movie does show the occasional cigarette and cocktail, but overall it's good old-fashioned family fun. And there's a bonus camping trip at the end. Be careful though: your kids might pick up some prank ideas to play on you the next time you camp out!
Heavyweights: (1995, PG) This overlooked Judd Apatow film takes a look at life at a "fat camp" for kids. It's one of the rare camp films to focus on boys, and yours will definitely get a kick out of the potty humor and pranks. Be sensitive to the fact that it may hit a little too close to home for some kids, since it does contain a lot of "fat jokes."
Ernest Goes to Camp: (1987, PG) This ‘80s classic puts the bumbling Ernest in the position of counselor to a bunch of juvenile delinquents sent to shape up at summer camp. It's got all the classic camp scenes as well as the theme of two groups pitted against each other until they bond in true camp spirit, this time against a baddie intent on shutting down the camp. This is all ‘80s all the way with slapstick and a showdown with a gun, but it's also good fun.
Addams Family Values: (1993, PG-13) Is your kid SO OVER camp? There's no way they are as disaffected as Wednesday Addams, so cue up this movie and show them that there is still fun to be had. Just make them promise not to imitate ANYTHING Wednesday does. There is definitely some sexual and dark humor here; after all it's the Addams family.
Camp (PG-13, 2003) If you have preteens or teens heading off the camp, you have to show them this indie film about a summer theater camp. The teens learn to overcome their differences and accept each other for who they are, all while doing some Broadway-quality singing and dancing. Be aware that it’s PG-13 for a reason -- there are some sexual references. Still, it's a great way to start a dialogue before you send your own kids off to nights around the campfire.
For Parents Only
After you've gotten the kids off to camp, cue up Wet Hot American Summer (R, 2001) and get in the grown-up camping spirit. You always knew your counselors were up to no good!
Kate Canterbury made major bank running an Oscars betting book in high school. Now she keeps her movie watching legal by writing about movies and more online. She is slowly trying to wean her twin girls from My Little Pony to Black Beauty and writing about it on her blog The Guavalicious Life.
