Camp Nowhere (PG, 1994)

common sense media says

Camp Nowhere should go nowhere near your child.


parents & educators say
  • 67% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film shows boys bullying others both physically and verbally, a girl is harassed by her mother for being overweight, kids lie to their parents, and there are many scenes of sexually suggestive behavior. The film does tackle important topics that are relatable to burgeoning adolescents about physical changes in the body and relationships with parents and peers.

Positive messages: Parents are depicted as self-involved. Main adult character irresponsibly provides camp space for junior high aged kids to stay. Unclear whether he buys beer for kids or not.
Violence: Schoolyard threats of "flushing head in toilet." Parent threatens to hurt son if he doesn't answer phone. Mock war scene.
Sex: Scenes of scantily clad girls. Boys and girls kiss. One shot of boy's suitcase packed with sexually explicit magazines and discussions of nudity.
Language: Degradation of peers. Examples include: "Yo, Turd," "Sniff my butt, toe-breath."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Underage boy trying to buy beer.

More on Camp Nowhere

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what these kids really wanted all along; that is, to have some downtime over the summer and how to avoid the dangers of being "over scheduled" in today's busy world. Also, discussion topics may include how kids could design a camp that is equally fun and has some independence from adults but is also safe for all.

What's the story?

What's the story?

Morris "Mud" Himmel is a bright kid in junior high who has befriended the school bully, a wealthy female classmate, and a brainy girl who is constantly reminded that she's overweight. All of their parents want them to go to summer sleep-away camps that will "improve" them in one way or another. Mud figures out a way to raise money and rent an unused hippie commune with the help of an ex-drama coach played by Christopher Lloyd. They trick the parents into thinking they've gone to their parent-chosen camp when really they spend eight weeks on their own with no rules, adults, or structure. Word gets out about this plan and others kids join into the mayhem. It turns into party central.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

CAMP NOWHERE touches on relatable topics for junior high-aged kids about their changing physical selves, becoming attracted to others, and having frustration with parents and authority. Unfortunately it plays out by these kids lying to the parents and all the social pressures felt at school continuing through the hierarchy of power amongst the kids. The climatic scene is not when the parents discover the lies of their young teens but when Mud comes forward and admits it was his idea. Here is a lesson that kids can take from this movie: the importance of standing up and taking responsibility for one's own actions.

Christopher Lloyd fans will enjoy him at his best in the scene where he takes on different personas to tempt parents into sending their kids to this camp. With offensive name calling and sexual undertones, it's a film that is poorly executed about kids wanting independence and to have fun and progress through the oh-so-memorable challenges of the middle childhood years.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Jonathan Prince
Cast: Christopher Lloyd, Jonathan Jackson, Peter Scolari
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: August 26, 1994
DVD release: August 5, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: parental guidance

This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

HighPlainsMom
parent of 11 and 13 year old
 
Briefly Entertaining But Mostly Muddled
I had a hard time figuring out who this movie was aimed at.....in the end, the best I could figure was that it was a post-Back To The Future vehicle for Christopher Lloyd. It is definitely innappropriate for younger kids -- foul language, some sexual references and poor role models. The general plot is that kids create their own summer camp rather than be forced into the choices their parents made for them. They hire a quirky, eccentric, unemployed former drama teacher (Christoper Lloyd) to con their parents into allowing them to go. As usual, the parents are all clueless dolts who are barely aware of their children's names much less the fact that they are running away for the Summer. The movie will go over the heads of younger kids but seems like it would be too boring for older teens. The main characters are supposed to be in "junior high" but there are clearly campers who are elementary aged. Despite this, there are several examples of romantic relationships between the kids, including a french kiss between two of the young kids at the finale of the film. There is also an adult romantic relationship that is central to the plot....something I think most kids would be bored by. The film also has many pop culture references that will befuddle the youth of today: Hippie Culture, Jimmy Hendrix, Baywatch, Beavis and Butthead and Beverly Hills 90210 to name a few. There is some foul language throughout and some sexual inferences between the kids including a locker full of adult magazines, making out, kissing and a kid left in the lake without a swimsuit. There are some "Home Alone" type antics in the final third of the film that are mildly entertaining, but it's not enough to redeem this movie.

robot kid
kid, 12 years old
 
ITS NOT THAT BAD!!!!!!!
Just like what I said......

dramaqueen@hot ...
parent of 11 year old
 
kids can watch it not just adluts kids and tweens!
the movie is very good i think kids can watch it and enjoy it its not a bad movie its actually a good funny movie for anyone to watch the fact that it has both Christephor Lyod and the other guy from Bttf you know the guy who played Biff wow this is such a cool movie 1994? ! my how the 90's were a real good time so is the movie!

cartoonfreak97
teen, 14 years old
 
Good, funny movie for teens and pre teens
Just a good movie if you just wanna have fun.fun movie for teens and pre teens.

 
love this movie!
Omg love this movie! its great funny and i think kids can watch it . cause its not bad . no its a real awesome cool movie . just by watching it totally puts me in a great mood. = one great movie about kids just wanting to have some fun how bad is that? not bad at all! i love the part when the cute boy buys beer lol funny oh and Christopher Lyod = very very funny!

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