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Parents' Guide to

Scooby-Doo: Camp Scare

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Spooky stories come to life in camp-set Scooby movie.

Movie NR 2010 75 minutes
Scooby-Doo: Camp Scare Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 6 parent reviews

remsratters
remsratters Adult
January 5, 2020
age 7+

Fun for all ages (within reason)

I adored this movie as a kid. It did frighten me a little bit, but I watched it countless times in my childhood and I can still remember it nearly word for word to this day. Watching it again now I enjoy it just as much. There is one short scene that’s slightly objectionable, wherein Daphne and Velma reveal their bathing suits to their friends, and the camera lingers on them in a suggestive manner. But this is brief, and it never bothered me or affected me in any way as a kid. There is also some questionable, borderline sexist dialogue, but it is delivered by the villain of the film who is clearly painted as being in the wrong. Again, this never impacted me or bothered me as a child. Overall, this is a wonderfully fun movie that the young and young at heart can both enjoy. If you can buy into the more than slightly ridiculous plot twist, you’ll have a wonderful time with this. I would recommend it for anybody older than 7, maybe younger if your child is unfazed by slightly scary imagery.
Matt The Pirate
Matt The Pirate Adult
August 31, 2018
age 6+

SCARY GOOD

The gang goes to visit his old summer camp and the story is hilarious because Fred's camp is the run down junky camp and right up the river is the ritzy upscale camp that is rival. I don't remember details cuz I saw this a while ago but I know it was one of my favorites of the Scooby direct-to-video movies.
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What's the Story?

Fred (voiced by Frank Welker) takes the gang for a trip down memory lane when he brings them to Camp Little Moose for a visit. But when they arrive, they find that camp has been cancelled because of the appearance of an ax-wielding maniac called the Woodsman. His timing couldn't be worse -- or better -- since there's nothing like a mystery to fire up the Scooby gang's sense of adventure. As they try to unravel the mystery of the Woodsman, the gang runs into other scary monsters who are frightening campers away. But leave it to Scooby (Frank Welker) and Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) to have some good times, even in the thick of a spookfest.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6 ):
Kids say (6 ):

Ghost stories are definitely spookier when told around the campfire on a summer night; CAMP SCARE succeeds in bringing that "campy" feeling to life, but it's fairly scary when the monsters appear. There's enough of a plot to keep even the most amateur sleuths guessing whodunnit, though the youngest viewers might get a serious jolt when looking into the eyes of the Spectre of Shadow or the green-faced Woodsman.

It's worth noting that one thing Camp Scare has -- that old-school Scooby stories didn't -- is the flirtatious winking and competing that some of the gang engages in. Do kids really need to see Fred go gaga over a hot babe in a skimpy swimsuit? Probably not. Stick to the ghouls and the Scooby Snax, people. Jinkies.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what the movie is saying about playing outside without electronic/tech gadgets. Do you think kids get enough fresh air and exercise? How can you set healthy media limits?

  • Is this movie more or less scary than other Scooby movies? Why?

  • The movie features a huge feast where Shaggy and Scooby gorge themselves on all kinds of food. Afterward, there's a food fight. What do you think about wasting food? Is it a big deal?

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