Roman White’s A Week Away premiered on Netflix on March 26, 2021, and parents are wondering: Is this faith-based musical right for my family? After analyzing the film’s content, themes, and Christian camp setting, here’s what you need to know: A Week Away is rated TV-PG for some mature content and minimal violence, making it generally suitable for tweens and teens, though families should be prepared for strong Christian themes and faith-based messaging throughout.
Director: Roman White
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Rating: TV-PG
Starring: Kevin Quinn, Bailee Madison, Jahbril Cook, Kat Conner Sterling, David Koechner, Sherri Shepherd
Understanding the TV-PG Rating
What Does TV-PG Mean for Your Family?
The TV-PG rating means parental guidance is suggested, and the program contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. A Week Away is rated TV-PG for some mature content including brief romantic elements and minimal conflict situations.
The TV-PG rating means:
- Most content is suitable for all ages with parental guidance
- Some material may not be appropriate for young children
- Contains mild themes that require parental discussion
- Generally family-friendly with positive messaging
Personal Note: As a mother who’s watched countless Disney Channel-style musicals with my 10, 13, and 16-year-old, I found A Week Away refreshingly wholesome compared to most teen content. However, the strong Christian messaging means families should be prepared for faith-based themes that may require discussion depending on your family’s beliefs.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 8-12: Generally Suitable
My Recommendation: Great introduction to positive teen content
Young tweens will likely enjoy the musical numbers, summer camp setting, and positive character development while understanding the basic themes about belonging and friendship.
Why this age works well:
- Clean, wholesome content with positive role models
- Catchy musical numbers that are fun to sing along with
- Summer camp setting that many kids find appealing
- Clear messages about friendship, acceptance, and personal growth
Ages 13-15: Highly Recommended
My Recommendation: Perfect target audience for this film
Teens in this age group will connect most strongly with the characters, romantic subplot, and themes about finding where you belong.
What makes it ideal:
- Relatable characters dealing with typical teen struggles
- Sweet, age-appropriate romantic storyline
- Themes about second chances and personal transformation
- Musical format that appeals to fans of High School Musical and similar content
Ages 16+: Enjoyable but May Feel Young
My Recommendation: Good family viewing but potentially predictable
Older teens may find the content somewhat juvenile but will likely appreciate the positive messaging and strong musical performances.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Musical and Performance Content
What’s Included:
- Reimagined versions of contemporary Christian music hits
- Original songs with upbeat, positive messages
- Dance numbers and choreographed performances typical of teen musicals
- Musical performances featuring well-known Christian artists like Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman
Parent Perspective: The musical numbers are genuinely catchy and well-produced, reminiscent of Disney Channel Original Movies but with explicitly Christian themes.
Language Content
What to Expect:
- Very mild language appropriate for all family members
- No profanity or inappropriate language
- Conversations focus on positive themes and character growth
- Language that reflects the wholesome camp environment
Real Talk: This is some of the cleanest content you’ll find in teen-focused entertainment, with language that’s appropriate for even the youngest family members.
Romantic and Relationship Content
What You’ll See:
- Sweet, innocent romance between teen characters at camp
- Age-appropriate romantic development without sexual content
- Themes about friendship and finding your place in a community
- Positive portrayals of mentor relationships between campers and counselors
Emotional and Thematic Content
Faith and Belonging Themes
The story follows Will Hawkins, a troubled teen who finds himself at a Christian summer camp as an alternative to juvenile detention. The film explores themes of redemption, belonging, and finding family in unexpected places.
Discussion Opportunities:
- What does it mean to find where you truly belong?
- How can people change and grow when given second chances?
- What role does faith play in personal transformation?
- How do we build meaningful friendships and relationships?
Personal Experience: My 13-year-old, who’s not particularly religious, still connected with the themes about finding acceptance and belonging. We had great conversations about how everyone deserves second chances and the importance of having people who believe in you.
Positive Messages and Values
The film consistently emphasizes positive values about redemption, community, and personal growth within a Christian framework.
Core Values Presented:
- Everyone deserves love, acceptance, and second chances
- True community comes from supporting and caring for one another
- Personal growth requires vulnerability and openness to change
- Faith can provide strength and guidance during difficult times
- The importance of having positive role models and mentors
Practical Viewing Tips
Before You Watch
Prepare for Faith-Based Content:
- Discuss your family’s openness to Christian themes and messaging
- Set expectations about the musical format and camp setting
- Talk about what makes a good coming-of-age story
- Consider watching the trailer together to gauge interest
During the Movie
Engagement Strategies:
- Enjoy the musical numbers and encourage singing along
- Discuss character development and growth throughout the story
- Appreciate the positive messages about friendship and belonging
- Point out the beautiful cinematography of the camp setting
After the Movie
Discussion Activities:
- Talk about favorite songs and musical moments
- Discuss how the characters changed throughout the story
- Connect themes about belonging to your family’s experiences
- Consider what makes a community welcoming and supportive
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Patricia Williams, Family Entertainment Specialist, on March 25, 2021
A Week Away provides wholesome, uplifting entertainment that emphasizes positive values and personal growth. While the Christian themes may not appeal to all families, the messages about belonging, redemption, and community are universally valuable.
Supporting Research
According to child development experts, faith-based family films can benefit young viewers when:
- Content emphasizes positive values and character development
- Parents facilitate discussions about themes and messages
- Programming provides positive role models and mentorship examples
- Stories demonstrate the value of community and belonging
The Bottom Line: Is A Week Away Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Families comfortable with or seeking Christian-themed content
- Tweens and teens who enjoy musical movies like High School Musical
- Parents looking for genuinely wholesome entertainment options
- Families who appreciate positive messages about redemption and belonging
Yellow Light Families
- Families who are neutral about religious content but open to positive messaging
- Parents seeking squeaky-clean content but unsure about faith themes
- Viewers new to contemporary Christian music or camp settings
- Families who prefer less predictable storylines
Red Light Families
- Families uncomfortable with explicit Christian messaging and themes
- Viewers who strongly prefer secular entertainment options
- Parents seeking more sophisticated or challenging content for older teens
- Families who find musical formats unengaging
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your family better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your family’s comfort level with faith-based entertainment
- Whether your teens enjoy musical movies and camp settings
- Your interest in discussing themes about belonging and personal growth
- Whether you’re seeking exceptionally clean, positive content
My Final Recommendation: A Week Away offers a genuinely wholesome, uplifting viewing experience that celebrates positive values like redemption, belonging, and community. The TV-PG rating accurately reflects content that’s appropriate for almost all family members, and the strong musical performances make it engaging entertainment. While the Christian themes may not appeal to every family, the universal messages about second chances and finding your place in the world make it worthwhile viewing for those open to faith-based content.
Ready to experience this uplifting musical with your family? Share your viewing experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more family-friendly movie reviews and discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox
External Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media Guidelines
- Common Sense Media Movie Reviews
- Focus on the Family Entertainment Reviews
