What do you remember most about summer camp? What about your first summer job? Both of these teenage milestones were a big deal. Surely a sign that we were growing up. As a 90s kid, TV was constantly dangling the fantasy of summer camp and summer jobs right in front of us. Not a parent in sight… just pure teen independence and glorious, sun-soaked chaos.

Now, whether or not our experiences were exactly the same as what we saw on TV, I can’t speak to that. Although fun, my camp experiences were far different. As well as my summer jobs. But was I really hoping to achieve the best TV summers out there? You betcha!

While there are plenty of TV shows and movies that take place at camp or followed teens at their summer job, we only have room for a handful today. So here’s my quick hit list of episodes and shows that transported us every summer rerun season:

Malibu Sands Beach Resort – Saved by the Bell

After sitting inside a classroom for months on end, being outdoors during the summer was a must. And so was earning a paycheck. So naturally it was imperative to find a summer job outdoors, and the Malibu Sands Beach Resort seemed like the perfect combination of beach vacation and outdoor summer work.

I was lucky enough to have a job working outdoors at the local water park a few summers, and it actually was pretty cool. So why would I prefer a summer working at the Malibu Sands? To be able to spend the summer in a beach house with my best friends of course, while earning a paycheck! Summertime gold.

The Saved by the Bell gang spent a summer working at the Malibu Sands Beach resort. And like most TV shows of the time, it was full of fun, shenanigans, and even a few romantic flings. This one had a handful of up and coming stars in it too, like Leah Remini and Denise Richards.

Camp Anawanna – Salute Your Shorts

Camp Anawanna is exactly how I always thought summer camp was and should be. My experiences of summer camp were week-long girl scout camps out in the woods. Tents and cabins, roasting marshmallows, campfire songs, ghost stories, arts and crafts, and water sports. Salute Your Shorts was all that plus your typical teenage antics.

If you remember watching this show, you surely remember the scariest TV episode on Nickelodeon that wasn’t a tale from Are You Afraid of the Dark? I’m talking about “Zeke the Plumber.”

Kamp Krusty – The Simpsons

Sure, Kamp Krusty turned out to be a complete and total nightmare. If you ever experienced hard times at camp, this episode was for you.

Maybe this episode of The Simpsons isn’t one to reminisce over TV summers. But to put a silver lining on it, the true magic which happened amongst the kids during the summer is what going off to summer camp is all about. Creating bonds with those you normally wouldn’t. Working together to successfully get out of a tough situation. The things that help you mature as a kid, and when you look back, time you become ultimately grateful for.

Bar None Ranch – Hey Dude

A summer job as a ranch hand at the Bar None Dude Ranch? Definitely a different lifestyle from the average suburban teen life. But again, you get to work outdoors and a great opportunity to make new friends like you would at summer camp.

There was just something about working on a dude ranch in Arizona that these teens made cool. Riding horses, wrangling guests, and always trying to outsmart the boss would make working this summer job more like a retreat. And that’s what we got with Hey Dude.

And let’s not forget the catchy opening tune, which to this day, I can sing along to.

TV summers wrapped in a nutshell. And yes, there were plenty of movies and shows that portrayed how awesome summer camp and summer jobs could be for us kids. Which was your favorite and brings out some nostalgia joy?