Camp, DVD Review

ASIN: B00CVHRCTM

DVD Release Date: August 27, 2013

Run Time: 111 minutes

Synopsis:

Hot shot investment banker Ken volunteers as a camp counselor. He wants to impress a possible account but life moves a little different at Camp.

THE STORY: Eli's life is nightmare. His mother is a drug addict who neglects his care, and his transient father floats in and out of his life. Eli is filled with rage from the physical abuse he has received from his father but he longs for his love and approval. On his 10th birthday Eli is taken to the hospital by police who respond to a domestic disturbance call. Eli is removed from his home and is placed in Locustwood, a facility little better than a youth prison. In this environment Eli spirals downward, becoming an angry and scared creature.

 (Eli)

Meanwhile, to impress a potential new client, investment advisor Ken Matthews signs up to be a camp counselor and gets paired with Eli. When the kids arrive at camp, the chaos begins. Ken and Eli bunk in a cabin with counselor Samuel, back from his second tour of duty in the army, and Redford, a kid who thinks he is an alien. Determined to hate camp, Eli is way more than Ken can handle.

Over the course of camp, Ken's heart is broken as he learns about Eli's dark past. Eli slowly opens up to Ken as he starts to love Eli unconditionally. Eli begins to have hope.

(Counselor Samuel)

An unauthorized visit from Eli's father to camp sends everything spiraling out of control. Now Ken must decide what he is willing to sacrifice so Eli will understand the meaning of unconditional love.





Here are my thoughts:

Once in awhile you come across a movie that touches your heart like no other and Camp certainly is such! Based on true stories it is said not just to entertain but to inspire!
I guarantee you will not soon forget it! 

It is not an easy tale to hear or see but Eli's story (and those of his camp mates!) is well worth a moment of your time for this is what so many foster children face daily: abandonment, abuse, betrayal, lack of love and support to name just a few. 
Some like Eli are more than a challenge for their caretakers/ counselors as Ken soon finds out! For one week, these children are given the opportunity to be happy and carefree and the outstanding work of the counselors can make a difference in their lives!

Camp is the story of one such ten year old child named Eli and a reluctant counselor whom despite his initial annoyance with his assigned camper learns to care enough to reach out to the troubled boy. Ken of course is not your usual counselor...Face it, he drives a Porshe and he is only there to impress a potential client!

The movie showcases some of the cases documented by Royal Family Kids counselors and will have you laughing and crying! 

The actors (Michael Mattera as Eli's counselor and Miles Elliott as Eli) did a wonderful job in reenacting this moving story but for my part Asante Jones in the role of Counselor Samuel wins top marks: he is unforgettable!

Despite its epilogue which I felt a bit too good to be true (albeit yet again based on a true story!) I give it 5 stars!


Note to Readers: 

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence, a crude gesture and brief language.

 

Nashville, TN – (June 28, 2013) - Word Films announces the August 27 nationwide DVD release of the inspirational film “CAMP.” Inspired by true stories from camps for abused and neglected children, the film’s writer and director, Jacob Roebuck, tapped into real-life events to acknowledge the power of the camp experience and the opportunity it provides to give unconditional love to those seemingly forgotten children who need adults in their lives.

“CAMP” is the story of a deeply troubled boy, Eli (Miles Elliot, “The Mentalist”), and an apathetic investment advisor, Ken (Michael Mattera), who get paired together at a summer camp for foster kids and discover the meaning of unconditional love. “We are excited for the opportunity to share the story of CAMP,” said Roebuck. “We want to entertain audiences, but we also hope they are inspired to get involved in the lives of abused and neglected kids in their communities. We are thrilled to work with Word on the video distribution of the picture. Not only do they bring a first-class distribution team for mainstream and Christian markets, they also understand the heart behind the film.”

This inspirational film has received outstanding early acclaim from critics in addition to the Dove Foundation’s “Family-Approved” Seal:

“This is a wonderful film about healing the wounds of your past... We are pleased to award this movie our Dove ‘Family-Approved’ Seal for ages 12 and over.”  - The Dove Foundation

“Most of the time, movies and television shows spotlight the lighter side of youth camps, but CAMP goes deeper to bring viewers face-to-face with the transformation that happens in the lives of children and even the adults that volunteer. It is incredibly heart affecting, even through the real-life interviews that play during the credits.”  - DeWayne Hamby (Christian Retailing, White Wing Messenger)

“Hollywood loves to entertain us. But CAMP does more than entertain – it inspires. It beautifully illustrates the huge impact the small sacrifice of a week’s time can make in the life of a child in foster care.” – Julie Gumm, best-selling author of “Adopt without Debt”

Roebuck received inspiration for the film when he joined a summer missions trip and had the opportunity to help abused and neglected children through a program called Royal Family Camp. Once there, he felt the call to help the children he met that so desperately needed contact with loving and caring adults. A portion of the proceeds from the film benefit Royal Family KIDS, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that serves as the nation’s leading network of camps for abused, neglected and abandoned children.

 

CONFRONTING ABUSE ~ CHANGING LIVES

Please take a moment to visit the website and see what the ROYAL FAMILY KIDS are all about! 

I received a screener copy of this title from Edify Media, Inc as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.