It is 1959. Tired of academia, Cambridge University Archaeology Professor Jeffrey Fairbrother goes to Maplin's Holiday Camp as the new Entertainment Manager, a job he looks forward to with idealised optimism. Camp Host, Ted Bovis, instructs his new recruit, Camp Comedian Spike Dixon, in how to succeed at Maplins.
Jeffrey is implicated when Ted is spotted entering a chalet with a girl camper.
Jeffrey is called on to judge the Holiday Princess Competition. Meanwhile, Ted teaches Spike how to make the most of the campers' generosity.
Mr. Partridge's drinking is getting worse, and Jeffrey's untimely decision to give him a pay rise doesn't help matters.
Fred's past comes back to haunt him, causing the staff - Peggy and Spike in particular - several difficulties.
Joe Maplin ordains that each Thursday should be Sunshine Smile Day, encouraging Ted to indulge in a money-making scheme.
Jeffrey's marital problems start to interfere with his work, and scandalous rumours are soon circulating around the camp.
The alarming amount of rainfall is disrupting the Maplin's schedule endlessly.
Peggy's burning ambition to be a Yellowcoat may be realised when she is asked to take part in the latest pool wheeze.
Jeffrey feels the 'Who's Got The Wrong Trousers On?' Competition is not catering for the cultural needs of the campers, and resolves to do something about it.
Ted feels his big chance has come when he is asked to perform some dates at the local golf club dinners.
Jeffrey gets lead astray by some campers, and ends up a little worse for wear. Naturally, Gladys is eager to take advantage of the situation.
Spike is forced to make an impossible decision when his girlfriend's father issues an ultimatum.
Yvonne and Barry decide to hold a party in their chalet for the more distinguished among the staff.
It is time for the annual town carnival, and Jeff is looking to Ted for ideas for the Maplin's float.
When Joe Maplin realises that the council's idea for a new hospital threatens his plans for the camp, he advises the staff of what action they must take.
In spite of the staff's efforts, the local council remains unfazed by the prospect of having Joe Maplin as a neighbour for the proposed hospital, so Joe takes drastic action.
Ted's ex-wife is causing him grief by demanding her maintenance money. When she arrives at the camp in person, Ted is forced to act quickly.
Joe Maplin decides that Gladys should hold the newly-created title of Head Yellowcoat. However, someone who looks likely to threaten her new position arrives at the camp.
Jeffrey's wife is anxious to acquire a divorce. Unfortunately, he is not very co-operative when it comes to giving grounds.
Ted arranges a special late-night showing of a blue movie for the male campers.
Ted is fed up with his act being constantly interrupted, distracting his audience, and decides it's time Jeffrey did something about it.
A female camper captures Spike's heart, making him eager to impress her - even if his act suffers as a result!
The chaplain retires from his camp duties, leaving the Sunday Half-Hour in need of a replacement.
Joe Maplin is opening a new camp in the Bahamas, and decrees that the winner of the 'Most Popular Girl Yellowcoat of the Season Competition' will fulfil a post there.
With the camp filled to capacity, Jeffrey is less than delighted to learn that he has to re-accommodate the entire entertainments staff to make way for the new Yellowcoat Supervisor.
Ted deceives Jeffrey in order to keep a private booking at a local function.
Joe Maplin commands Jeffrey to assist with the demolition of a nearby cottage, which stands in the way of the camp's new extension.
Fred is in for a devastating blow when Joe Maplin makes a decision concerning the camp's horses.
Jeffrey finally agrees to divorce his wife, but in order to do so, he will require the help of a highly improbable source.
The camp is all prepared for the unveiling of the new Joe Maplin statue. Alas, several factors, including Spike's uncharacteristic drunkenness, ensure that the ceremony does not run smoothly.
Peggy raises a few eyebrows among the staff when she informs them she has a new boyfriend.
The staff are expecting a visit from Joe Maplin, when there is an outbreak of 'Chads' - a form of graffiti. As an indirect result, Barry injures his back.
The Maplin's staff assembles at the start of the new season to find a few surprises awaiting them.
Ted is excited at the prospect of becoming the new entertainments manager, especially when he is summoned to Maplin's Head Office.
The opening day of the season has arrived and the staff prepare to greet the first batch of campers at the station.
When the post of Stores Supervisor becomes vacant, Peggy is promoted.
Peggy and Spike uncover evidence that suggests Joe Maplin gave Clive a job in order to spy on the staff.
When Ted remembers that he has an old car - identical to Clive's - gathering dust, he comes up with a devious scheme to make some money.
When Peggy recognizes a picture of a recently-deceased cat burglar in the newspaper to be a former camper, Ted lets his imagination run wild.
It seems the campers are no longer prepared to put up with Mr. Partridge's behaviour towards their children. So the staff are faced with a predicament when he goes missing.
Ted and Spike have discovered Partridge's dead body floating in the pool. They, and the rest of the staff, have to conceal his apparent murder from the campers.
Gladys finds herself very much in demand on the night of her birthday, with two offers of dinner... that she knows about!
Head Office decides not to replace Mr. Partridge until the end of the season, and tells the staff that they are to stand in for him in the meantime.
Gladys gets the wrong idea when Clive takes her to visit his family estate.
Joe Maplin's press release angers its subjects, Gladys and Spike, whose relationships with Clive and April, respectively, look set to suffer.
The shock departure of Barry turns his partner Yvonne into a recluse in her chalet, and leaves the entertainments programme one act short.
The unexpected arrival of the new camp controller catches everyone off guard, and Alec Foster does not pull any punches...
The staff rallies round when Alec Foster sacks Peggy. But it seems as though nothing can be done to save her job.
Fed up with Clive's irresponsible behaviour, his entire family turns up at the camp to try and talk some sense into him.
Spike thinks the staff should do something special for April's birthday. But with Ted organising the occasion, things are unlikely to go as intended.
Ted has a new love interest: a young pianist whom he plans to marry. Elsewhere, Julian is hoping romance will blossom for himself and Yvonne, and takes her to visit his farm.
A Royal Marines sergeant antagonises Ted, causing him to make a rash statement he may have cause to regret.
The campers are complaining about how unfunny the camp comic is. Spike believes it's because his engagement to April is preying on his mind and attempts to find a cure.
In spite of her coldness towards him, Clive is desperate to win Gladys back - but he requires the help of Ted and Peggy.
Alec Foster pays the camp another visit and Ted takes the opportunity to ask for a rise.
As Gladys and Clive prepare to take the plunge, there is a sudden panic when Clive's family finds out about the impending marriage and attempts to put a stop to it.
It's nearly the end of the season, and there are plenty of events scheduled. But when Dawn falls ill, the timetable is thrown into chaos and a replacement is needed.
