There are Christian camps, Jewish camps and now there’s a camp for those who question religion. Local atheists and other non-believers are organizing the first camp of its kind for kids in Texas.
Five year old Joseph Parsons is enjoying some time alone at Cathy’s Critters Farm in Collin County. But in less than two weeks, his mother hopes Joseph will be surrounded by kids just like him.
“It’s an opportunity for kids who otherwise get ostracized at school,” said Amie Parsons.
Amie is organizing Camp Quest Texas. It’s camp for children and their parents who are atheists, agnostics, free-thinkers and other non-religious followers.
“It’s just a camp, for kids, who want to have a camp experience without having the religious dogma placed upon them,” she said.
The one-day event will be held August 30, at Cathy Critters in Princeton. And while it will offer many of the same activities that most camps provide, there will also be a strong focus on science.
#30, Angus,
Call me a crazy liberal self-determinist,
OK, you’re a crazy liberal self-determinist. Happy?
I’ve always loved how Athiests are so sure of the lack of God.
Oh? The problem I have with that is I’m not an atheist. Well, I’m quite sure some bible thumper would refer to me as an atheist, but I don’t. I’m normal. And because Jews refer to me as a Gentile and Muslims refer to me as an Infidal I ignore you all and just call myself “normal.
Now how can I be sure there is no “god”? Easy, because what was attributed to ‘god’ has been shown to have a scientific explanation.
For example, remember when conception was a gift from ‘god’ instead of a male cell joining a female cell and procreating to become a fetus? Or how about when ‘god’ created the sun to travel around the earth when it is actually the earth traveling around the sun? There are many, many more examples, but those should do for now.
You only find out when you die, and you can’t brag about if you’re right.
Then how would YOU know if there is a ‘god’ or not?
#24
We’re assuming you are being facetious. You might consider making that clear in the future.
IMO there should only be one type of camp, well maybe two. The first is of course your old fashion elementary camp where you fall in love with that special girl/guy. The second camp should really be called “brainwashing camp.” It doesn’t matter if it’s Christian, Jewish, fish loving, Alien believing, etc. it’s brainwashing 🙂 If we call it that there be no argument except that it exist 😀
Atheist camp? What, there’s not enough ways out there already to screw up your kids? No matter how you spin this one there is no getting around the psycho factor.
I got an idea, why don’t we all at least pretend to be good parents and try a good sports camp instead.
Agnostics? Free Thinkers?
These are two groups you should never send to atheist or theist camp!
Cursor_
And the number of atheists in society will still be 4 percent…
As a parent whose children have attended three Camp Quests over the years (the full week long programs), I can tell you why my kids go.
It’s so they can be with other children raised like them. For 51 weeks each year, they are with relatives, classmates and neighbors who seem to talk constantly about religion in their lives. For one brief week each year, my kids are with their peers, in a positive environment.
My family isn’t “out” as atheists, and even though my children aren’t atheists, they are being raised by two parents who are. My kids can feel isolated at times, feeling left out as their classmates attend religious events on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
I am thrilled that people are creating more Camp Quest environments, to give the children a sense of community. Yes, my kids have friends and family, but none of us really feel comfortable discussing religion with them, based on past attempts, all ending badly.
#37 And this sort of silliness is a great marketing ploy to those 4%. Money will be made and self-righteous atheists will feel good about themselves.
God bless their pointy heads!
# 33 Thomas said, on August 19th, 2009 at 10:28 am “We’re assuming you are being facetious. You might consider making that clear in the future.”
Of course. I just thought ECA’s argument was silly.
Seriously, if parents go to church wouldn’t they take their kids with them on Sunday? I mean it is not cruelty like a mother taking her son to the fabric store on a Saturday morning. If you compare the two: one you get to color pictures of Jesus and the other you stand there looking bored while your mother sorts through bolts of cloth.
Besides memorizing/reciting Bible verses helped my memorization skills later in life when it was time to memorize things like the Constitution/Ayn Rand.
Sunday School pretty much convinced me that religion was a joke.
>#11: “It should be pointed out that there is not shortage of secular camps. One has to wonder why the atheists feel a need to form another.”
Because, it’s necessary to “inoculate” impressionable children from falling prey to naivety and confidence scams like religion. Furthermore, “secular” camps don’t exist because the “converted” are always instructed to spread their dogma like the flu and taint the reality of secularism.
>#11: “could be bad for your kids. It’s creepy to send your kid to a camp that is organized around NOT being someone or, worse, being AGAINST someone else.
>(BTW, to be fair, this is the problem of all supremacist groups — not just atheist supremacists.)”
So you believe that you’re only “someone” if you believe some unsubstantiated religious dogma? Furthermore, you believe that preventing children from falling prey to religious cults is bad because it’s “AGAINST someone” or is it just the one you believe? Lol, I notice you conveniently don’t recognize your religion as a “supremacist” group even though it’s one of the largest in the world. You’re a biased hypocrite to argue against camps with any alternative belief system.
#24: Those aren’t belief systems, they’re SKILLS so your point is moot.
#25: Exactly. Religion doesn’t have to make sense when it pleases your parents to believe as they do.
#30: Atheists are far closer to center than theists as they withhold any belief. Accepting one theory based on “faith” is the ultimate lemming conundrum. Once you take the leap, there is no coming back. OTOH, Atheism IMO is more of a shield against these BS religious theories that serve institutional purposes rather than a steadfast knowledge of the truth as the religions claim.
#37: Yeah. A sad commentary and sadly shows how prone individuals are to the mental manipulation of society and institutions. Being an individual is scary and only for the big boys and girls.
#39: Wow, this mom really sounds like some kind of crazy freak. [sarcasm] Kudos to you!
It’s funny how the idea is presented that makes it seem odd. If we used the term “Indoctrination Camps” for the religious versions, would people look at them a little less innocently?
#19–BigBoyBC==
Bobbo, I don’t totally disagree with you on some point on religion, being a bit of an agnostic myself. /// If something is mostly positive, it should be expressed that way. YOU should say “I agree with you except for – – – ” Thats the way I generally post, few double negatives unless the subject was presented that way.
But, you seem to want to shove all religion and people of faith into one pigeon whole. /// Yes, thats true. Its like saying all fishermen fish. Its not true, just a broad brush to catch the majority of the issue. ((I go fishing with friends, but only drink beer.))
Much of the things you say ring true, when talking about fundamentalist christianity. /// Fundamentalish = those who actually believe as opposed to other lesser degrees many of whom don’t actually believe but have succumbed to community or family or spousal pressure.
People of faith are not all cut from the same cloth. /// But they all wear clothes.
Science and Religion can co-exist and have. /// Then the idea of co-existence is not illuminating. Fire and Ice also co-exist. That statement means nothing and by design is meant to mislead.
History shows that many great Scientist have been men of faith, even Darwin. /// Showing that faith and science DON’T co-exist. If you want to get along with your wife==don’t publish your masterwork for 20 years for fear of consequences. If you want to tell the truth, publish your book. In this sense, truth and lies also co-exist. Meaningless concept meant to obfuscate.
Fundamentalism is always the problem, in religion or otherwise. /// If the fundamentalism is true and humane, I don’t see any problem.
child abuse
I have an idea. Let’s start a camp for Jewish kids with attention deficit disorder. What should we call it ……
I don’t mind this as much as religious camps, and not because I am an atheist, but because I’m pretty sure there won’t be any preaching going on. This might just be an answer to the need of a camp that isn’t religious, nothing more. In that case it’s fine, but if you’re trying to tell kids what to believe, no matter what you’re telling them, it’s a bad thing.
It’s about time, thank God. (Pun firmly intended)
#37, gooddebate,
Where do you get this 4%?
A Harris Poll (2004) found roughly 12% admitted to being agnostic or atheist. Since admitting atheism has been akin to being gay, I expect the numbers to be much higher. Since there is so much less stigma today, during the next census I wouldn’t be surprised to see 35%+ admit they are atheist or agnostic.
#47 – Johan,
But, if you don’t tell kids what to believe, religion will end in one generation.
That would be way too good to be true.
Gee, now I feel bad that there’s no Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Camp!
May you all be touched by his noodly appendages!
Arrgh and Ramen.
that’s what I am talking about. take it right into the Lion’s Den! No fear!
#47..
THATS the point.
trying to INBED, doctrine into your kids before age 10..is hard, but it works.]
you turn them into parrots.
They get more input from their PARENTS and what they LIVE.
YOU should be the one, Practicing SAID belief/understanding and SHOWING your children HOW life is to be LIVED..
NOT some other idiot, that you have NO IDEA of how they live.
I love the idea that we tell our kids NEVER to talk or listen to strangers, then we PASS them off to some IDIOT they have never met.
To answer all pending concerns:
– No protestors came (we were a little disappointed)
– No human or animal sacrifices occurred
– No bad-mouthing of other religious traditions
– No indoctrination (unless you consider teaching critical science to be doctrinaire)
Yes there are science camps in Texas, but this is much more narrow than Camp Quest. CQ is not just about experiments and seeing things go “boom”, it’s about the scientific method, inquisitiveness, and being around other kids that have a similar religious viewpoint.
It was an absolutely positive day and a great success. We look forward to seeing it expand to a full week starting next year!