Allan is a mess. Granted, kids at thirteen are assumed to be a mess. But Allan is feeling its effect. It’s the summer of ‘76. He sits alone on an empty school bus, in a northern Chicago suburb. Allan is a clean-cut kid with kind features. At the moment, it’s difficult to see those kinds of features due to the raging-bull-sized bandage running across his freshly busted nose. Allan manages to lose his team’s basketball game and smack himself in the face, all in one shot.

To the tune of “Hava Nagila”, Allan’s grandfather pulls up in his Kosher Taco Catering truck. He is Allan’s best friend in the world, until now! Grandpa confesses that he’s rerouted Allan to a camp for inner-city kids. It is time for Allan to grow up. He gives Allan a gift in a cigar box and wishes him luck.

Boarding the bus with Allan, are Mayhem and Yvette, a preteen brother and sister duo whose strong personalities and dynamics are unmatched. Mayhem is highly competitive, plays the trumpet, and is a huge pain. Yvette loves to dance and somehow always manages to find a boyfriend every summer.

From the very moment, Allan re-boards the now packed bus, Allan’s manhood is challenged. His new friends, Mayhem, Demarco, and Smitty deliver laughs and pre-teen harassment until they arrive at Camp Arapahoe.

Sitting on his musky old cabin mattress, Allan opens his Grandpa’s gift. It’s a beautiful camping knife. The boys discover Allan’s knife. Mayhem invites Allan to bring the knife to the mess hall, the boys play a secret game after dinner. The game is called, Mumbly Peg.

Allan experiences many firsts; he learns to disco dance, ride a horse, and throw a knife without killing anyone. Allan discovers his love for Yvette, but he has to find his mojo, fight for her affection, and earn Mayhem’s respect to get there. Allan experiences many challenges and hardships, which give him the tools he needs to help Camp Arapahoe triumph in a decades-old battle of Capture the Flag with their neighboring camp.