Parents Weekend at Camp Little Otter isn’t all fun and games.
The day begins at Little Otter Family Camp with director Mack giving her son Buzz a harsh, but deserving punishment after he got caught getting drunk and riding an ATV into the lake. Mack has never been this disappointed or upset with her teenage son before. Across the lake, senior counselor Sarah is sweaty and tired but makes her way back to camp after spending time at Ridgefield Lodge, not at their recreation center, but with one of their campers. Although she has been telling her boyfriend and fellow senior counselor, Robbie, that she’s been swimming to the other side of the lake as part of her training for swimming scholarship, she’s really been having an affair with a writer named Miguel at Ridgefield.
Everyone is enjoying breakfast once Sarah gets to camp. Mack makes the announcement that it’s Parents’ Weekend for the counselors-in-training(CIT). Their parents begin to arrive. Kip, who has been shy and apprehensive to the whole camp experience, gets a visit from his dad who is eager to see him since he is constantly concerned for his son who is going through cancer remission. Next, Marina’s mom shows up looking like a mess with mascara running, hair undone, with heavy suitcases and the announcement that her bodybuilder boyfriend left her and that they are now homeless. Marina drags her mom away to try to save herself the embarrassment and taunting of CIT mean girls Chloe and Zoe. Zoe’s parents arrive in their luxurious foreign car. Her beauty pageant mother is furious with the way her daughter looks and demands better treatment for her daughter from Mack, including feather-top mattresses. Despite always being mean to him, Buzz, who is also a CIT, defends Zoe and reassures her that she is beautiful.
Once all the parents are situated at camp, Robbie helps camp groundsman Cole work on his motorcycle. Turns out that Cole needs a new $1,000 engine to fix it. He then realizes that a dart tournament at the local bar may just help him pay for the engine.
Soon all the parents and CITs go on a hike to jump into the lake. On the way, Marina’s mom drunkenly stumbles and Zoe’s dad helps her out. Zoe’s mom gives them both an uneasy look. Kip’s dad wants to know how camp has been-- if he’s made friends, gotten a girlfriend, and how he’s feeling in regards to his cancer remission. Kip assures his dad that he is fine and even gives all the parents a speech about the wildlife in the area, proving that his confidence has improved. Meanwhile on the hike, Zoe surprises Buzz by thanking him for defending her. She then admits that her mom can be evil and that she despises Buzz, but Zoe confesses that her feelings toward him are turning around for the better.
When the CITs and their parents get to the jump, Marina’s mom volunteers to be the first to jump in. Everyone else is excited and follows their example. Even Kip wants to take the dive, but his father forbids him from doing so, in fear that it is too dangerous and he could get hurt.
Later that night Sarah and Robbie go to the bar and talk about how much they haven’t seen each other lately. Sarah then notices Miguel stroll in with an attractive woman. When she gets a chance, she follows him into the restroom and confronts him about the mysterious woman. Miguel assures her that she is his book agent and that he will be moving to New York immediately to start the publishing process. He then invites Sarah to his cabin for one last proper good-bye.
On the other side of the bar, Cole and Ridgefield director Roger bump into each other. Both despise each other and have gotten into fights, mostly because they both have strong romantic feelings for Mack. The trash talking begins and Roger challenges Cole in the dart tournament with a $1,000 bet. Cole accepts and has the perfect partner in mind: Kip.
Back at camp, the CITs and their parents are enjoying movie night. Kip’s dad is so proud of his son and gives him a gift: special birdwatching binoculars. Kip is mortified and embarrassed. His dad makes plans for both of them to go out looking for a rare owl. Marina and her mom are bonding over a box of wine. Marina admits that her camp boyfriend Greg is cute, but is kind of dumb. She goes on to suggest that once camp is over, the two of them should give up boys for a while and begin a new life in Florida. They toast to the possibilities of new beginnings.
The next day, Cole asks Kip to be his partner in the dart tournament. He has to cancel his birdwatching plans with his dad and he is upset with his son because he feels abandoned.
Meanwhile by the lake, Zoe and Marina realize their dad and mom are missing. They found them saying good-bye with bright smiles and satisfaction on their faces. Zoe and her mom figure that the two just had an affair. Zoe tells Marina not to let her slutty mom believe anything her dad says. Marina’s mom tells her that Zoe’s dad just offered her a job in Denver and their plans for Florida are cancelled. Marina is furious and lists all the different ways her mom has disappointed her before. She then admits that she lost her virginity at 13 because she was raised by a slut.
Later, Buzz finds Zoe crying and tries to console her. Swept up in emotions, they kiss and make their way to his cabin. Zoe takes off her shirt and Buzz realizes he’s finally going to see a naked woman. Just then, Mack and Zoe’s parents walk into the cabin. Zoe’s mom is appalled and drags Zoe away before anything happens so that they can all leave camp.
At the bar, Roger, Cole and Kip begin the tournament. Feeling confident, Roger doubles the wager. Robbie realizes that Sarah has a bet on this tournament as well and goes to look for her at Ridgefield. Robbie makes his way to Miguel’s cabin and walks in on their romantic dinner. Appalled and irate, he ends his relationship with Sarah and storms off.
Back at the bar, the tournament is in the last round. Kip isn’t feeling very well and runs to the restroom to vomit. He realizes that he threw up blood. He goes back out to the tournament and finds a way to overcome his sickness and win the tournament. He then nearly collapses and pleads for his dad.
Mack, Buzz, Roger, Cole, Kip and his dad rush over to the hospital. Kip worries that his cancer could be coming back. He’s rushed in to run tests and figure out what’s wrong. Marina and her mom rush over to show their support. They all anxiously await and fear the worst. In the waiting room, Marina’s mom becomes emotional and apologizes for setting a bad example as a parent. She praises Marina for being a smart and confident young woman.
The doctor finally arrives with the results. Kip’s cancer did not return; it was only food poisoning that got him sick. Everyone is relieved and excited to go back to camp to spread the good news.
The next day, Kip and his dad go back and jump into the lake, celebrating the fact that they’re alive and they’re healthy.