Camp Green Lake is described as a "no-nonsense" camp, where the guards are strict and the rules are strictly enforced. The camp is surrounded by a vast desert, and the only water is a small lake that is located at the center of the camp. The lake is said to be bottomless, and it is rumored that it is home to a dangerous creature known as the "Yellow-Spotted Lizard".
The camp's history is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that it was once a thriving summer camp for boys. However, the camp closed down in the 1970s, after a series of mysterious events occurred. It is said that the camp was cursed by a Native American tribe, and that the Yellow-Spotted Lizard is the embodiment of the curse.
In the novel, the main character, Stanley Yelnats, is sent to Camp Green Lake after being falsely accused of stealing a pair of sneakers. He quickly learns that the camp is a harsh place, and that he must be tough in order to survive. Stanley befriends a group of other inmates, and together they discover the truth about the camp's history and the curse of the Yellow-Spotted Lizard.
Camp Green Lake is a dangerous place, but it is also a place where hope can be found. Stanley learns that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for redemption.