Ernest Goes to Camp is a 1987 American comedy film directed by John R. Cherry III that he co-wrote with Coke Sams.

It stars Jim Varney, Victoria Racimo, Lyle Alzado, Iron Eyes Cody and John Vernon.

Long ago, a young Plains warrior is tested for initiation by being the target of three different weapons.

Centuries later, Ernest P. Worrell works as a maintenance man at Kamp Kikakee but hopes to become a counselor.

He quickly becomes a valuable addition to the staff, as he is skilled at Plains Indian Sign Language, used by Kikakee's owner, Chief St.

He ultimately goes too far by intentionally causing "Moose" Jones, the smallest boy in the group, to nearly drown in the lake while swimming.

The trouble does not stop, as fellow camper Pennington and his friends, also continue to target Ernest and any new arrivals.

The Second Chancers initially give Ernest trouble, but they start to show some respect during a campfire session when Nurse St.

Cloud, the Chief's granddaughter, translates her grandfather's description of the warrior initiation ritual for his tribe.

The courage of the young warrior apparently alters the course of each weapon to prevent it from striking him.

Krader is prepared to demolish Kikakee, and while the regular staff and campers are sent home, Ernest and the Second Chancers openly attack the construction site to stall for time.

Kamp Kikakee is once again operational, with all the campers and a full staff on site, with the last-chance kids getting to stay at camp.

The inception for the film came about when then Disney CEO Michael Eisner and executive Jeffrey Katzenberg were attending the Indianapolis 500 and were impressed with the reception that Jim Varney as Ernest had over Mickey Mouse during a parade.

They set up a meeting with John R. Cherry III and Coke Sams to discuss producing a feature film.

[1] Ernest Goes to Camp was released theatrically in the United States by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution on May 22, 1987.

[6] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 24 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.