If you were lucky enough, or privileged enough, to experience summer camp as a kid or teenager, the experience likely made a lasting impression on you. Sleepaway camps have certainly inspired filmmakers over the years, as the rustic settings and wide-eyed young people experiencing their first taste of freedom have proven fertile creative ground for numerous genres, from coming-of-age films to comedies to horror films to sex romps. So for one of our 2026 Summer Specials, the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to go wild as we attempt to name the best summer camp movie.

Movies discussed: Dirty Dancing (1987), Little Darlings, Ernest Goes to Camp, The Great Outdoors, Friday the 13th (1980), Camp Rock, Space Camp, Wet Hot American Summer, Addams Family Values, Daddy Day Camp, Meatballs, Moonrise Kingdom, The Parent Trap (1998), Sleepaway Camp (1983), Camp (2003), Troop Beverly Hills

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD Panelists Amma Marfo, Amy Pilott, and Trey Radu-Blackburn as they discuss and debate 16 of the most memorable films set at summer camps.

For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss additional movies set at summer camps that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelists: Amma Marfo, Amy Pilott, Trey Radu-Blackburn

Producer: Derek Mekita

Editor: Eric Rezsnyak

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

#summer #summercamp #camp #camping #fridaythe13th #meatballs #wethotamericansummer #sleepawaycamp #theparenttrap #parenttrap #spacecamp #troopbeverlyhills #moonrisekingdom #addamsfamily #camprock

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