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Ernest Goes to Camp 1987

Lovable and clumsy Ernest P. Worrell leaves his janitorial job for a summer adventure, becoming a camp counselor at Kamp Kikakee. He quickly finds himself overwhelmed by a group of unruly and mischievous campers. Ernest's attempts to maintain order and lead activities result in a series of hilarious mishaps and chaotic situations for everyone involved.

Lovable and clumsy Ernest P. Worrell leaves his janitorial job for a summer adventure, becoming a camp counselor at Kamp Kikakee. He quickly finds himself overwhelmed by a group of unruly and mischievous campers. Ernest's attempts to maintain order and lead activities result in a series of hilarious mishaps and chaotic situations for everyone involved.

Does Ernest Goes to Camp have end credit scenes?

No!

Ernest Goes to Camp does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Ernest Goes to Camp

Explore the complete cast of Ernest Goes to Camp, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Ernest Goes to Camp

See how Ernest Goes to Camp is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Ernest Goes to Camp stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

24

Metascore

4.8

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

62%

TOMATOMETER

review

51%

User Score

IMDb

5.5 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

53

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Ernest Goes to Camp Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Ernest Goes to Camp with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Ernest Goes to Camp Quiz: Test your knowledge on the hilarious antics and heartwarming moments from 'Ernest Goes to Camp'.

What is Ernest's job at Kamp Kikakee?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Ernest Goes to Camp

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Read the complete plot summary of Ernest Goes to Camp, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Long ago, a young Plains warrior faced a critical test, becoming the target of three different weapons aimed at proving his courage. Fast forward to present day, where Ernest P. Worrell, portrayed by Jim Varney, is a rather simple-minded redneck working as a maintenance man at the lively Kamp Kikakee, but he dreams of becoming a counselor. His unique ability to communicate through Plains Indian Sign Language catches the attention of Kikakee’s owner, Chief St. Cloud, played by Iron Eyes Cody, making him a valuable asset to the camp.

Kamp Kikakee welcomes a group of juvenile delinquents known as the Second Chancers. The strict Head Counselor, Tipton (Larry Black), delegates them to the care of the camp’s most seasoned counselor, Ross Stennis. Unfortunately, Stennis, portrayed by an uncredited actor, takes a disliking to the boys, treating them poorly. A significant turning point occurs when he nearly causes Moustafa Jones, the tiniest boy, to drown in the lake, only for him to be heroically saved by Ernest. Enraged, the boys retaliate against Stennis’ brutal treatment by toppling his lifeguard perch into the water, resulting in a severe leg injury that sidelines Stennis.

With Stennis out of commission, Tipton sees an opportunity and offers Ernest a chance to fill the counselor position. Initially, the Second Chancers pose challenges for Ernest, but the mood shifts during a campfire session. Nurse St. Cloud, played by Victoria Racimo, brilliantly translates her grandfather’s warrior initiation tale, which captivates the boys. In this ancient rite, the initiate must stand motionless as three dangerous projectiles are hurled at him, embodying incredible bravery that diverts each weapon’s trajectory. This inspiring moment earns Ernest the respect of his charges.

As the young campers start to bond and even build a tepee, they face destructive downfalls orchestrated by Pennington, a rival camper. Tensions escalate, and Ernest intervenes, urging Tipton not to expel the Second Chancers for their mischief. Meanwhile, a shady mining corporation, under the lead of the conniving Sherman Krader, played by John Vernon, aims to seize the lands of Kikakee for petrocite extraction. Chief St. Cloud brazenly refuses to sell, prompting Krader to manipulate earnest into unwittingly signing away the land.

As the shocking news of the camp’s closure reaches everyone, Nurse St. Cloud confronts Ernest, who vows to repair the damage he has caused. The Second Chancers rally around him, undeterred by their earlier doubts. They devise a courageous plan to storm the construction site and confront the bosses. When they arrive, they find the foreman, Bronk, who quickly overpowers Ernest, forcing him to retreat alone.

Yet the Second Chancers rediscover their bravery when they realize how much Ernest has sacrificed for them. They rush to find him and apologize. As Krader prepares to demolish Kamp Kikakee, Ernest and the boys choreograph a strategic raid, with support from Chief St. Cloud, chefs Jake and Eddie, and former rivals Pennington and Brooks.

In the heat of the skirmish, pushes and pulls ensue as Chief St. Cloud delivers a blessing before they set out, despite Nurse St. Cloud’s pleas against the confrontation. The group effectively rigs non-lethal weapons, leading to an exhilarating clash at the site. However, chaos ensues when Bronk escapes in a bulldozer, wreaking havoc on camp buildings, but Ernest’s quick thinking saves the day as he stops him with a modified maintenance cart loaded with explosives.

As Krader confronts Ernest with a rifle aimed directly at him, a moment reminiscent of the ancient tribal ceremonial trials occurs. With a spirit of courage, Ernest bravely faces Krader as he fires three shots, each missing their mark. Channels from within, Ernest resolutely blocks the barrel with his finger, laughing defiantly at Krader’s impotence in this showdown. As the defeated Krader retreats under the counsel of his lawyer, who remarks on the unexpected strength they have faced, a glimmer of hope emerges for the campers.

Soon after, Nurse St. Cloud returns to announce the arrival of an injunction against demolition, bringing relief to all. Kamp Kikakee flourishes once more with returning campers and a full staff, as Nurse St. Cloud expresses her gratitude towards earnest and reveals Krader’s arrest for fraud. The victory feels complete as Chief St. Cloud appears to grasp English, solidifying Ernest’s newfound status as a full-fledged counselor. However, amid the celebratory mood, Ernest’s enthusiasm causes him to tumble while trying to restore the Kamp Kikakee sign, leaving him knocked out, a fittingly humorous end to a most adventurous day.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Ernest Goes to Camp

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Ernest Goes to Camp. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Ernest Goes to Camp Trailer Spoof

Cars Featured in Ernest Goes to Camp

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Explore all cars featured in Ernest Goes to Camp, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Caterpillar

770

Caterpillar

910

Caterpillar

1977

988 B

Chevrolet

1968

B-50

Ford

1973

B-Series

Ford

1977

F-Series

Ford

1982

F-Series

Ford

1982

F-Series

Ford

1970

L-Series

Ford

1983

LTD Crown Victoria

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


handymansummer campslapstick comedymontagerivalrybreaking the fourth wallcompetitionwoodsgreedy businessmanstupiditynative americancharacter name in titlebulldozerfirst of seriesgunsightboy wears sunglassesboyernest p. worrell characteramerican indian languageamerican indian legendplunging a toiletco written by directorditch diggingminerslimehousegrouporange foam headphonesreference to albert einsteinfinger in a gun barrelminingmining companyfire antpicnicnursejuvenile delinquentscene during end creditsbreaking into songforce feedingturning into someone elsesong during end creditshappy endingfinger in gun barrelknocked unconsciousshack torn downexploding carexplosionbombardmentlobsteranimal crueltybattle

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