Ernest Goes To Camp - FILMING LOCATIONS - Kamp Kikakee 

I was an extra in Ernest Goes To Camp. I'm in a couple of the clips you showed. Jim Varney was a great guy and very giving of his time with the kids who were extras. He taught us how to use a sling to throw rocks.

Doesn't it send a chill to your inner child to see the place still the same but so very empty. Its like a place that time forgot.

The end of your video just crushed me. I grew up with Ernest, wore out every VHS tape with his movies. Ernest goes to camp always meant the most to me, I felt like it encapsulated everything Ernest was: the unlikely hero, an altruist, compassionate, gentle, and simply funny even at his own expense. His memory will never be lost in my home, my kids watch him now and love him; it’s my small way to say thank you to the man who left an indelible mark on my childhood.

I started to get emotional there at the end. Sometimes I still can't believe he's no longer with us. Ernest was such a huge part of my childhood, and I'll always cherish the films he made. Thank you for this walk down memory lane. RIP, Jim Varney. You are loved and missed.

Ernest was that special friend we all had and could all relate to, and it didn't matter if you were popular or not. It truly didn't matter. Everyone could relate to Ernest. And I do NOT want Ernest to be forgotten or the legend that is Jim Varney. Ernest was a huge part of our lives. True Ernest fans will know the impact the song Brave Hearts by Gary Chapman has on our hearts and our nostalgic past. I still love that song to this day, and I will never stop watching all the Ernest movies!!!

There should be an Ernest statue somewhere on those grounds. Can we get a sculptor on that?

I'm not crying, it's just raining on my face. Thanks for sharing this with us. You did a great job.

Tears fell down my face at the end when he's crying an when he hangs his head down low walking out of the nurses office 😢

Man i miss Jim Varney :( anyone remember watching his commercials? those are funny as crap. r.i.p Jim Varney all us ernest fans miss you :'(.

You *found* what I consider to be the holy grail of Jim Varney spots. Adam, I'm so proud of you for finding this and taking the time to show it off to us. I remember seeing your other Varney video where you went to visit his final resting place and I was in tears, and this video was no different. You really did justice to all the ernest fans by finding this and spending so much time pointing out all the shot locations. At the end when you talk about being out there all alone and visiting these spots you can really feel the emotion bubbling up from your voice. You rock, man.

This movie is my all time favorite. Reminds me of life before the world went to crap

What memories. I saw it when it first came out on VHS.

Great tribute at the end, I also loved the part where he's talking about how much the camp and the kids mean to him. I think in a way, this was really how Jim Varney felt about making movies that make kids happy.

this brought back my child hood loved these movies of Ernest

What an amazing location, most of it is still there and unspoiled. Loved being able to see the clips along side too so they could be compared. It made you very emotional too as you could almost feel the ghost of Jim Varney there. Thank you for filming it :)

always enjoyed that movie when I was younger. Thanks for sharing the footage

I love it. My childhood in the 80's and jim was a man I admired too. Respect. Thanks for filming this Adam.

This is unbelievable. I can't lie, I got a little emotional sitting at my computer, making sure no one was around to see. Excellent work- thank you!

Great video, great movie! It was a sad day the day he passed on. Still till this day I imitate him because it was clean comedy and he was a caring person in real life as he was in movies. Thank you for honoring a great person that will forever be missed!

Thank you for providing us with this footage of a time long since past from most of our childhoods who are old enough to remember. ='(

Adam the Woo you are the the Pan!!!!!! NEVER grow up. You remind us all that the best memories are seeing through the eyes of a child. God Bless you Adam......second star to the right and straight on till morning.

RIP jim. When my little girl gets older I'll see your movies with her. Maybe she can get passed all the social media and bad role models and get a glimpse of the good old days. Thank you for all of the memories. I'll see you on the other side brother. God bless

Thanks Adam for this tribute to James Varney Jr! I too loved his acting as Ernest and we were born 13 days apart in June of 1949 and both suffered from lung cancer I thru the grace of God am in remission since 2010! Thanks for showing this part of Ernest camp movie one of my all time favorites of his work! I am a kindred spirit with you on this to me he was a very humble man! RIP James VarneyJr.

This movie is classic classic classic idc what anyone says. Jim was truly one of those comedians that didn't need to spew out filth out of his mouth to be funny.

I was there about a month ago it was badass. Then we went to Lexington, Ky to visit his grave. Glad I went.

***** This entire video gave me chills. Jim varney "Ernest" was the pinnacle of my child hood, right next to TMNT and my Super Nintendo. The ending to this was perfect..and not afraid to admit it made me tear up. Out of all of the "Urban Explorers" on RU-vid, you have to be the absolute best. The heart you pour into it man, it's unmatchable. When I lived in Jacksonville, Florida I wanted so bad to meet up with you and venture and see the side of the state I had just moved to, but the side you show. Thank you for all the videos. When times get hard for me...just putting on a pair of headphones and getting away..for just alittle bit with your videos, and seeing the small footprints left behind from others, it's somehow soothing. Safe voyages on future expeditions my friend.

I still watch all of Ernest Movies today when you just think of this guy a smile comes to your face

Me & Jim Varney have the same birthday June 15th. He will be greatly missed but he'll always live on in our hearts. :')

Thanks for such an amazing video. Made cry with joy remembering my favorite Ernest movies. RIP Jim B

The year Jim Varney passed away, was the year I was born.Even though he was not alive in my time, I still respect hime and will always love his movies and acting.

I love that line, "A man who has never tasted Quiche"

Jim Varney was a Genuine humble nice guy... Hollywood actors like that don't exist anymore.

Adam, I've been following your movies for a couple of years now. How time flies. This is one of the best videos you made as the content and editing were both done very well. You must be around the same age as I am as I too miss Mr Jim Varney. My childhood was better having seen his work. My own kids light up with smiles as they sit and watch these same movies with me. God Bless Adam and keep doing what you're doing. We're proud of you.

This one brought back lots of memories for me. I too grew up watching Ernest Goes to Camp when I was a kid.

Was there today for Ernest Day. Had a blast visiting all these sites. Showed my five your old the different locations and even got to go out on a canoe and shot some arrows at the original archery range. Glad I found these to enjoy with my son. Very brilliantly put together! Well done mate!

I don't know a lot of people who can appreciate Jim Varney and the Ernest movies as much as I do but I'm glad there are others online who seem to. This video is very heartfelt and special. As a child, I needed a cheerful, funny adult to see but that also did their best even when others were against them. That's why he is so special to me. I still watch these movies and will respect and admire this lovable actor.

great video Jim Varney had to be smiling from Heaven. THANKS FOR POSTING THIS MADE MY DAY

That golf cart killed. EVERY TIME!

Wow! That's pretty cool how you visited the location of the park. It's good to see its in good condition and most of the cabins including the bathroom is still there. It's a crazy feeling seeing the old classic locations that have been threw time to time.

I still come back to this video every now and then. So seeing my childhood disappear

"A man who has never tasted quiche. Is that your smallest needle?" The tone change Jim performs between those two sentences was hilarious. Varney is a comic legend!

Oh my childhood!!! Ernest my hero! Great video!

Ernest goes to jail was always my favorite!! :)

Nice vlog Adam. Sad ending, especially for the Jim Varney fans. Thanks for the video.

Awesome video. Great ending. Kudos, Good Sir!

Thanks for sharing this. One of fav childhood movies and a wonderful person and actor. RIP Jim Varney you’ll never be forgotten.

I loved Earnest (Jim Varney) growing up as well. I looked forward to his TV show every Saturday morning as well.

I think everyone who has watched this video to the end all loves Jim. You finished with the song! Dang! I would sing that to myself if I was ever upset as a child, especially when it was raining. I was abused as a child and English, so it was a lot! But this movie and some other were my escape! Wish Jim and Robin W were still here! 😢 ❤ Thanks for sharing this one.

Jim Varney you will long be missed. Great video it tugged at my heart.

This is so cool, this was my favorite of all the Ernest movies. I never got to meet him either, although I wish I could have. My dad went to high school with him, and had seen him around a few times over the years. Jim Varney was an amazing actor, and his movies are still some of my faves.

This is actually the location where the Boy's Club from Nashville held their summer camp. I attended summer camp there for several years in the early 1960's. Same mess hall and dock on the lake. The medical building was our craft building, and there was a rifle range down the hill from that.

was sad seeing the camp place just let go. i love this movie. sad seeing it empty. can't believe varney passed so young. so sad

Long live Ernest. Long live Jim Varney. Thank you for this. Great video!

This was very awesome I love Ernest grew up watching him.

Thank you. I woke up with "Happy Together" in my head today and it made me think of this movie. I watched it soo many times that my mom had to hide it from me lol. Easily my fav of all time. I appreciate the making of this video and keeping the memory of Jim alive! Take care!

I grew up loving all of Ernest's movies. My kids love them now too. We just watched Ernest Goes to Camp tonight. This was a really awesome tour. Thanks.

He was one of my favorites growing up aswell. Sister and I watched all of his movies. This was an awesome video. RIP Ernest

Totally made me tear up at the end! Definitely one of my favorite childhood movies!

This was and is my favorite Ernest movie. As a kid I wanted to live at camp Kikakee. It looked so fun. I’m glad it’s mostly untouched. A special place at a special time.

wow thanks so much for bringing back those old memories..I love that the movie was filmed in a real place like that..so so awesome..tears are rolling..

Best episode I have ever seen you put out Adam! I am a 55 year old and still love watching clean wholesome movies like Jim Varney acted in. please keep up the great work and God bless you sir

Man the memories as a kid watching ernest . Thank u adam for this treasure R.I.P jim varney

I’ll never forget when I first watched this film. I rented it from Family Video when I was around 7 or 8 and it truly was a big inspiration to me. God I miss this man.

God, the memories this brings back :-D one of my absolute favorite comedies! I remember seeing it in the theater then getting it on VHS when it came out and still have it to this day. Thanks for posting this. I want to visit this location so bad!

Wow. Hadnt thought about this movie in years. Loved Jim Varney growing up. Watched all his stuff. This made me tear up and feel very nostolgic. Gonna have to get his movies online and show them to my kids. Thanks Adam I always love your stuff and this one really tugged on my heart strings. Keep up the great work.

I'm so happy to see this, and even happier to know how much Ernest/Jim meant to others as well. I still remember seeing this movie in the theater when I was six. I hope to visit that location someday. Awesome job.

Your ending thoughts about Jim were great. It’s sad to see the change in the world we have in the last 20 years. Jim’s passing is one of those things that still hits me and the locale seemed to have his ghost with you at every corner. Nice video Adam.

Ernest was indestructible and Jim Varney's memory lives on through tributes like this. Great work, Mr. The Woo

Adam the woo it was a pleasure as much as it was for you to be hear and see it, I can tell the emotions were high God bless Jim varney rip

I absolutely LOVED this movie growing up. Thank you for this.

My hats off to you Adam!,............ Awesome job my Friend.👏👍✌️

I've been to Jim's grave a few times in Lexington, KY. It's only 2 hours from where I live. Such a shame. He was a wonderful actor. RIP Jim! You are dearly missed!

I have and still do love Ernest movies! Jim Varney was brilliant. Ernest Goes To Camp is my favorite of them all. Thanks for visiting this place and making this cool video. Adam The Woo.... you rock!

Wow what a great video! I loved Jim Varney. The end of your video made me cry. I grew up watching Ernest movies. I think I will go out and try to find them on DVD and show them to my kids that are now 12,8 and 4. Just to show them what a great actor he was. Thanks for this Adam.

My kids and I were watching this and I decided to search for filming locations. Glad I found this video and your channel, the end made me get tears in my eyes man. The world lost a great man, 😢

I loved this movie as a kid. Thanks for sharing this.

This Video made my whole day so much better... thank you so much for showing us what still remains.. love it.

Wow, such nostalgia. Thank you for this. Soo many childhood memories. RIP Jim.

So cool to see this filming location. I watched this movies a thousand times when I was a kid. Great memories, and always cool when you visit these places for the rest of us to enjoy.

thank you for this , truely one of the greats and so sadly missed

I am so glad you appreciate these movies as much as I do. One of my favorite videos you have done.

I started watching all the Ernest movies again after watching this video. thanks Adam.

I love watching videos of this kind for movies I grew up with...but it always makes me sad at the same time. Especially when things have changed so much.

This was AWESOME! This was my favorite movie growing up...what a great way to honor Jim Varney. Good job, and thanks!

This is beautiful. I can’t stop crying. Cheers Adam.

BRILLIANT! I loved the Ernest movies as a kid and it's great you've done another terrific video showing us the are as it is now and the awesome detective work to show us each area as it was in 1987.

I remember ernest goes to camp jim varney will always be missed ernest goes to camp will always be one of my favorite ernest movie

Ernest goes to camp was the first movie I ever saw in a movie theatre. It's a special movie to me. Loved this video

Thank you for doing this one. It brings back a lot of great memories!

Man your videos bring back such great times as a child. Growing up in the 80's was awesome. Thanks Adam!

One of my favorite movies, thanks

Love this. I am a HUGE Jim Varney fan. I am still unbelievably saddened by his passing. He gave me many, many, many hours of laughter. I was never able to meet him in person and thank him for that.

awesome find, one of my favorite movies as a kid

this made me smile. I got to meet Jim many years ago when he was with pine state :)

Thank you so much for posting this video and taking the time to visit the location of this movie that represents so much of my childhood. I watched Ernest Goes to Camp so many times during my childhood in the 80s and I can remember my parents recording it when it came on ABC one night so that we would have a VHS tape of it so that we could watch it anytime we wanted. This movie represents a much much simpler time in my life however at the time life didn't seem so simple because I was just a kid ready to grow up and do adult things and now I'm an adult and I wish I could go back in time and be a kid again so that I could do kid things

Thank you for sharing this video Adam. And thank you for sharing your thoughts on an incredible person and an incredible actor. This video really brought back some childhood memories. Thanks!

So cool! Thanks man. RIP Jim.

How, this brings back memory's watching the movie on VHS.. thanks ADAM!

I remember when Ernest Goes to Camp came out. The little theater in our town was packed. I'd never seen Main Street so full of cars. We panicked during the first scene where the Kickakee were doing a right of passage. We thought the theater had gotten the wrong film. I remember everyone laughing so hard we couldn't hear the dialogue. Good memories. We of course made sure our kids watched it to bridge a generation gap. Thanks for sharing this Adam. Jim Varney was amazing. And great channel man. If we had more money, we'd give you some, but we're pretty tight with both the wife and I being full time at Berea College and having a couple kids. Thanks for sharing all you do. Great stuff!

Awesome video. I love all of the Ernest movies with Ernest goes to camp being my favorite.