“Happy Campers”

Offering a slice-of-life portrayal of a community on the brink of extinction, “Happy Campers” is a poignant and immersive documentary that truly embodies a piece of Americana. Set in the Inlet View Campground, a small town trailer park off the coast of Virginia, the film captures the essence of a working-class community where the simple pleasures of life (like fishing, beer drinking, card playing, and front porch sitting) are celebrated with a quiet dignity.

Director Amy Nicholson lets her camera observe the daily lives of the campground’s residents without ever imposing judgment or exaggerated sentimentality. The film’s strength lies in its ability to make viewers feel as though they are part of this tight-knit community, sharing in its joys and heartaches.

The documentary reveals the deep bonds between the families who return to Inlet View every summer as well as the full-time residents who call the area home. They come from all walks of life and backgrounds, but the tradition and sense of community that unites these folks is about to be broken by the impending sale of the campground to developers.

As the residents come to terms that this will be their last summer spent at their beloved campground, the tone shifts to bittersweet. This is a sad story of progress, and the documentary’s depiction of their emotional journey as lives are packed up to haul away is both touching and profound.

The film does feel a bit repetitive as it goes on, with scene after scene of daily routines that beat with the rhythms of life. While this serves as a reminder of the comfort and stability that Inlet View provides, it does get a little tiring.

The film captures a true sense of place that makes you feel as if you are part of the campground’s family, with the sights and sounds of Inlet View so vividly portrayed that you can almost feel the humidity in the air, smell the saltwater, and hear the laughter and chatter of the neighbors. This is a film that doesn’t just show life at Inlet View: it immerses you in it.

Nicholson subtly critiques the relentless wave of corporate development, highlighting the broader issue of how luxury condos and gentrification are erasing small-town life and displacing working-class communities across the U.S. It isn’t heavy-handed, which definitely works in the film’s favor.

“Happy Campers” is not just a documentary about a trailer park; it’s a human interest story that resonates with anyone who values community, tradition, and the simple pleasures of life. It’s a celebration of a piece of our country that is rapidly disappearing, and a powerful reminder of what is lost when money takes precedence over people.

By: Louisa Moore