The cartoon is set in a universe inhabited solely by anthropomorphic animals of many species and focuses on a trio of campers attending a poorly run summer camp known as Camp Kidney; the series focuses on three "bean scouts": Lazlo the eccentric, optimistic monkey, Raj the Indian elephant, and Clam the albino pygmy rhinoceros.
The program also features Lazlo's assortment of fellow campers, characters from a rival summer camp attended solely by girls, and some of the odd locals of the town of Prickly Pines.
As he developed the concept, Murray believed that a children's book could not contain the stories and ideas, so he decided to create a television show.
"[9] The Cartoon Network press kit character descriptions describe Lazlo as "imaginative, freethinking," and a "natural-born non-conformist."
The press kit states that Lazlo "enthusiastically spreads mischief and wacky shenanigans," uses "imagination and creativity" to solve problems, and vex Scoutmaster Lumpus with his "persistent happiness and optimism.
"[10] Science Fiction Weekly reporter Kathie Huddleston describes Lazlo as "optimistic" and "out to wreak as much good-natured havoc as he can.
[8] When Murray created Camp Lazlo, he wanted one of the main characters to be Indian and decided that Raj would make a good choice.
[8] Cartoon Network's press kit described Raj as "reluctant, neurotic," and "often finds himself pulled into situation that he would rather avoid but goes along with Lazlo and Clam for fear of being left alone.
The press kit says that he has several disorders, including a "cleaning compulsion," skin ruptures, and phobias of snakes and "bugs" and found "a philosophical home at Camp Kidney."
[clarification needed] Clam (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui) is a small, taciturn albino white rhinoceros who is one of Lazlo's bunkmates and best friends.
[8] Cartoon Network's press kit describes Clam as an "eccentric musical and academic genius," "misunderstood," and "protective.
"[10] In the episode "Prodigious Clamus", which by far portrayed the best examples of Clam's intelligence, he finished an entire puzzle by simply chewing it up in his mouth, painted Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa (both of which were performed in under ten seconds), and, from blowing in an empty soda bottle,[8] he coaxed a symphonic version of Beethoven's Ninth, complete with supporting chorus.
"[8] The official Cartoon Network press kit described Edward as "a stickler for rules" who hates "any scout who doesn't follow them.
Even though his attitude and temperament suggest a tough guy, he has a secret soft side: the Barbie-like platypus doll named Veronica whom he hides from the other campers.
Samson Clogmeyer (voiced by Jeff Bennett) is a nerdy yet likeable, bespectacled and accident-prone guinea pig[9] who has been known to become injured multiple times throughout the cartoon, often by a volleyball flying in out of nowhere and knocking him to the ground, an occurrence used as a running gag throughout the series.
Chip and Skip Hopps (both voiced by Steve Little) are clueless, dirt loving identical dung beetle twin brothers.
[citation needed] On his website Murray commented, "I am sure that the overseas animators got tired of constantly including their ever-present flies into every shot.
Lumpus has a crush on Squirrel Scout leader Ms. Jane Doe, who is oblivious to his constant attempts to take her on a date.
He is always in a bad mood and this horrible disposition could have been caused by his parents' failure to visit him at camp when he was a Bean Scout and tell him that they love him or even show any signs of care for him.
Kenny, during a recording, thought of a scenario involving Lumpus locking up the real scoutmaster (who resembles Heffer Wolfe from Rocko's Modern Life) into a closet.
"[8] The official Cartoon Network press kit describes Lumpus as a "frustrated" and "egomaniacal" individual who "needs to have his world in complete order".
Murray originally created Slinkman as Lumpus's "beaten-down" assistant with a voice intended to sound "like Dustin Hoffman's Rain man."
"[13] As episodes entered production, Slinkman gained increasing control over Camp Kidney as Lumpus became more mentally incapacitated.
Murray stated that Kaz placed an eye stalk gag involving Slinkman in all of the episodes that he wrote and storyboarded.
[9] She has a massive crush on Lazlo, and throughout the series she tries to impress him, like when she pushed him off a giant pinecone with her love, lied about being a snake-hunter, and gave him a valentine card.
Nina Neckerly is a scholarly, geeky and neat Masai giraffe with orange hair who is best friends with Patsy and Gretchen.
Gretchen Laurence is an aggressive, tough and tomboyish alligator, with long blonde hair and has a grudge on the Bean Scouts.
Ms. Doe is presumably from Minnesota because of her accent, in "Wedding Bell Blues" she and Lumpus get married, but possibly because of the reveal that he was a imposter at the final episode, she filed a divorce due to his false identity.
Hoo-Ha's mannerism are comparable to a stereotypical marine, particularly R. Lee Ermey's acting in the film Full Metal Jacket.
Lumpus was finally arrested and was taken away to a mental asylum under a strap jacket and vows revenge on the steer, but Lazlo still thought it was a great summer.