I wanted a title that has multiple possible meanings, and this is definitely the case with Happy Campers.  I had considered other names, but they didn't accomplish this.  Happy Campers was the original name I had in mind for the novel, and it just seemed right.

Here are the various reasons why the novel has the name it does:

1. I wanted it to be clear that the novel is set mostly at an overnight camp, so the title and cover image make this clear.  

2. I was utilizing a common expression, slang for being cheerful. The staff and campers are literally happy campers; virtually everyone is having a great time.  However, the staff are not having a great time for the reasons they're supposed to be; they're involved in hedonistic behaviour, which is endangering the safety of everyone at camp.  Most of the campers are oblivious to this behaviour, or too young to understand what the staff is up to, and just having a wonderful time.

3. The most important reason is it's supposed to be highly sarcastic. Simon is anything but a happy camper, even before starting to work at camp; he's been devastated by a horrible breakup a few years earlier, and still hasn't recovered from it. Although he enjoys his gig as photographer at camp, he is mistreated there, and is forced to face a major dilemma, and this only adds to his troubles.  Later in the novel, as a result of the corrupted situation and its inevitable consequence, nobody will leave camp a happy camper.

4. Perhaps someone will, ultimately, emerge a happy camper, as a result of his/her camp experience.