The characters and events of Return to Sleepaway Camp are very similar to those of Sleepaway Camp, making the film part sequel/part remake. Some characters display counter characteristics, demonstrating a twist on the original. This page is meant to detail the similarities or opposites.
| Sleepaway Camp | Description | Return to Sleepaway Camp | Description |
| Angela Baker | Quiet female protagonist. Victims torment her. | Alan | Loud male protagonist. Victims torment him. |
| Mel Kostic | Greedy camp owner tries to cover-up murders and is killed. | Frank Kostic | Greedy camp owner tries to cover-up murders and is killed. |
| Ronnie | Kindhearted head counselor who realizes something is wrong and survives. | Ronnie | Kindhearted head counselor who realizes something is wrong and survives. |
| Ricky Thomas | Protagonist's male relation with anger management issues. Protects her. | Michael | Protagonist's male relation with anger management issues. Bullies him. |
| Meg | Girls' counselor more concerned with being popular. Bullies protagonist and is killed. | Linda | Girls' counselor more concerned with being popular. Bullies protagonist and is killed. |
| Susie | Female counselor who protects protagonist. | Petey | Female counselor who protects protagonist. |
| Artie | Sketchy chef killed after an encounter with the protagonist. | Mickey | Sketchy chef killed after an encounter with the protagonist. |
| Ben | Nice African American chef. | Charlie (Chef) | Nice African American chef. |
| Judy | Bullies the protagonist, death involves genitals. | Randy | Bullies the protagonist, death involves genitals. |
| Kenny | Jokester camper killed second. | Weed | Jokester camper killed second. |
| Mike | Jokester camper's cohort who survives. | Stan | Jokester camper's cohort who survives. |
| Billy | Bully of protagonist. | T.C.Bella | Bully of protagonist. |
| Act I | We are introduced to campers at Camp Arawak. The cook's death is covered up. | Act I | We are introduced to campers at Camp Manabe. The cook's death is covered up. |
| Act II | The protagonist is bullied more. Kenny is killed in the water; it is deemed an accident. | Act II | The protagonist is bullied more. Weed is killed by the fire; it is deemed an accident. |
| Act III | Ronnie and a female counselor discover a dead camper and learn Angela Baker is the killer. | Act III | Ronnie, Ricky, and a female counselor discover a dead camper and learn Angela Baker is the killer. |
In addition, the original features counselors named Eddie and Marie, and the sequel features campers named Eddie and Marie.