The majority of the book's action takes place at Camp Serendipity, a camp for creative children just outside the artsy community of Woodstock, New York. There is a brief beginning scene at Marcy's New Jersey home during which her parents and their unhappy relationships with one another and Marcy are introduced. Marcy's one desire for the summer is to escape from her parents. The camp provides many creative activities for the campers, who are divided, twelve to a cabin, by age and sex. There are male and female counselors, directed by Ms. Finney and her husband, along with several pet goats who occupy an important part in the action from time to time. This setting provides a backdrop for the many and varied personalities of the campers and counselors who help shape Marcy's summer.