Both Dobie and Maynard are failing Dr. Burkhart's sociology class. She offers them a deal: "volunteer" to act as big brothers at the River Street Settlement House - which entails dealing with disadvantaged adolescent boys from the roughest neighborhood in town - and she will issue them a passing grade. They reluctantly accept. She receives funding for the project to test her sociological theses in how best to help the boys in their day to day lives. Despite being scared of the boys and having an initial antagonistic relationship, Dobie but particularly Maynard grow to have a buddy relationship with the boys. The problem ends up being Dr. Burkhart, who can't translate her academic thoughts into a meaningful dialogue and interaction with the boys. This project ends up threatening any friendship between Dr. Burkhart and Dobie and Maynard. Dobie and Maynard have to make Dr. Burkhart understand the problem in time for the visit by the funding committee, who may pull the plug on the project if they don't see tangible results.
—Huggo