Watch Camp Cool Kids

Camp Cool Kids is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a young boy named Spencer who is struggling to cope after the death of his mother. Spencer is sent to Camp Bear Claw, a Christian summer camp in the mountains, where he is reunited with his older sister, Madison, who has been attending the camp for years. Madison is excited to have her little brother at camp with her, but Spencer is less than thrilled, feeling disconnected from the other kids and lost without his mother.

As the days go by, Spencer begins to open up to the other campers, making friends with a group of misfits who call themselves the "non-sporty kids." Together, they explore the wilderness, play pranks on the counselors, and bond over their shared experiences of feeling like outsiders. Spencer is also drawn to a girl named Megan, who is the daughter of the camp director and seems to understand him in a way that no one else can.

But as much as Spencer enjoys his time at camp, he is also haunted by memories of his mother and troubled by the fact that his father has started dating again. Spencer's journey to healing is not an easy one, but with the support of his friends and family, he begins to find a way to move forward and embrace the future.

The film is directed by Lisa Arnold and stars Connor Rosen as Spencer, Logan Shroyer as his older sister Madison, Michael Gross as the camp director, and Leigh-Allyn Baker as Spencer's father. The young actors deliver solid performances, particularly Rosen and Shroyer, who have a believable sibling dynamic. The supporting cast, which includes familiar faces like Eric Roberts and Markie Post, is also solid.

One of the strengths of Camp Cool Kids is its commitment to exploring the complexities of grief and loss. Spencer's pain is palpable, and the film doesn't shy away from depicting his darker emotions, like anger and resentment. At the same time, the movie never becomes too heavy-handed, injecting plenty of humor and adventure to keep it engaging for younger viewers.

Another notable aspect of the film is its emphasis on faith and spirituality. While Camp Bear Claw is clearly a Christian camp, the movie is never preachy or exclusive. The message of the film is one of unity and acceptance, highlighting the importance of friendship and community in overcoming difficult times.

The cinematography of Camp Cool Kids is visually stunning, showcasing the natural beauty of the camp's surroundings. The film's soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring original songs by Christian rock band Newsboys, as well as tracks from up-and-coming artists like LoveCollide and Tauren Wells.

While Camp Cool Kids may not revolutionize the summer camp movie genre, it's a refreshing entry that provides a positive message and plenty of feel-good moments. Families looking for an uplifting and wholesome film to watch together would do well to check it out.

Camp Cool Kids is a 2017 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.