Characters from the Goosebumps book Welcome to Camp Nightmare.
Billy Harlan
Portrayed By: Kaj-Erik Eriksen (TV), Debi Derryberry (audiobook)
The protagonist, who finds that Camp Nightmoon is slowly turning into a nightmare when his parents enroll him in it.
- All There in the Manual: His last name is revealed in Goosebumps Presents.
- Age Lift: Mildly, the Goosebumps Presents book that was adapted from the TV episode, says Billy is 13. In the book, he was 12.
- Dumb Blonde: Averted. He is shown as blonde in the episode and in some artwork of the book. He's also quick to notice odd occurrences and behaviors that are not normal. He is also shown to have a skill for swimming, hiking, and gun handling.
- Kid Hero: He manages to keep a cool head and take action during the horrific events that occur throughout the book. Towards the end he points his gun at Uncle Al and shoots after refusing to hunt down Dawn and Dori.
- The Leader: He often takes charge in his cabin due to being the most level-headed camper.
- Meaningful Name: His first name, Billy, means "to helmet and protect." And he does so by looking after a sick fellow camper who got bit by a snake and swimming to save a counselor who fell into the water. Also, he protects the WHOLE CAMP from potential danger from their own leader. Yes, all of that was fake and a Secret Test of Character, but this does not take away from how trusting and heroic Billy is.
- Nice Guy: He's kind, brave and selfless throughout the book. What ultimately causes him to pass the test so he can join his parents in their expedition.
- Only Sane Man: He plays this role in his cabin, being more level-headed among his more boisterous or skittish bunkmates.
- Puppy Love: He is implied to be attracted to Dawn, who is camping at an all-girls Camp Nightmoon place nearby. He mentions how he thinks she's pretty and blushes when first introducing himself to her. Given how she smiles at him when they first meet, she seems to reciprocate his feelings.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Instead of obeying Uncle Al's orders to hunt two missing campers with a shotgun, Billy refuses and threatens to shoot Al himself if he tried to make any sudden moves. This decision actually turns out to BE the right thing to do as part of the camp's training for Billy at Camp Nightmoon.
- Surrounded by Idiots: He feels this way when he deals with apathetic counselors whom are unwilling and unable to help injured campers. Considering their behavior was all an act, they probably were Obfuscating Stupidity.
- Tomato Surprise: It turns out the camp is a government testing lab so Billy's parents could decide if they could take him with them on their expedition... to earth. Yeah, they're actually aliens.
Uncle Al
Portrayed By: Chris Benson (TV)
The negligent camp director of Camp Nightmoon.
- Big Bad: The director of Camp Nightmoon, and thus the one most responsible for the horrible events that occur on its grounds.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Acts nice at first, but shows his nastier side as time goes on, including being unconcerned about campers disappearing and is more worried about losing a canoe. The "bitch" part turns out to be an act.
- Drill Sergeant Nasty: He doesn't even hire a nurse at his camp because he doesn't believe in "pampering" his boys.
- Hidden Heart of Gold: He seems like a horribly negligent and immoral camp director, but it turns out he was putting on an act as a test for Billy.
- Father to His Men: Zigzagged. He seems pretty warm and friendly before revealing a much more dark and cruel side. In the end, though, he was doing it all for the good of his campers.
- Punch-Clock Villain: Acts like a jerk for most of the book. Turns out it's all an act to test Billy, and he shows his true nicer colors once he passes the last part.
- Secret Test of Character: The entire plot is revealed to be this for Billy.
- "Scooby-Doo" Hoax: He, along with all the other campers, invented a monster that's said to live in the forbidden bunk.
- Skewed Priorities: When he learns that two of his campers have drowned, he's upset about losing his best canoe.
- Training from Hell: The camp doesn't have a nurse because "Uncle Al doesn't want to coddle you guys".
- Walking Spoiler: Very much so. Explaining the truth about him would give away the end of the book.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: He's actually a nice guy who wants to ensure his campers' success, it's just that his methods are extremely dangerous and unethical.
Sabre
As depicted on the cover
In the TV episode
A monster said to inhabit the woods near the camp
- Actually a Doombot: At the end of the TV episode we find out he's some kind of robot/machine controlled by one of the counselors.
- The Dreaded: Even in the book the characters are sufficiently scared of him that they don't want to go near the Forbidden Bunk.
- The Ghost: In the book, the characters never see him, and for all we know he could be a myth. The show explicitly does show him.
- Mix-and-Match Critters: The TV show version of him looks like a combination of Killer Gorilla and giant black wolf.
