Would you send your kid to church camp?

[mishap]

If you're not religious ...

In my quest to find affordable summer care, I came across a local Christian day camp that looks awesome ... except we're not Christian. We're not really anything. I'm a completely non-practicing Jew. I've been considering attending a Unitarian church recently, but DS has never been to church in life. He recently asked me the church had a big T on it. (He'll be 6 this summer.)

They'd probably find us out in about two seconds, right? Other than the "daily Bible studies," it looks perfect -- low ratios, very affordable, lots of nature-based stuff, camp outs! We're not in the Bible Belt, so I don't think it would be scary Jesus Camp stuff. Their website isn't even very Jesus-y.

DH thinks we should totally send him just to see what happens when DS innundates them with questions. He's big into the questions ... with everything.

Jesus is just all right with me ...

[cjeanette]

If you don't have a problem exposing your kid to religion then I would. I sent DS to church daycamp for a week each summer.

[rootbeerfloat]

I would if I liked the price and program.

We're not religious, but sent DS to a religious preschool. Their website is pretty Jesus-y, but the daily curriculum was fine. They did bible stories and sang religious songs.

[Deleted]

I'm sending mine to YMCA camp but I've been told by my jewish friend it is very low-key

[Brie]

As a kid, my mom sent me to a few week long church day camps with neighbors, basically because she was looking for something to do with me.

We never went to church, and I still remember how awkward and uncomfortable I felt there. All the kids already knew each other from Sunday school and such, and I had no idea what any of the Bible stuff they were talking about was and why they all seemed to care so much about it. It wasn't a crazy Bible belt camp, but I still hated it because I obviously stuck out like a sore thumb.

[h]

It depends on the sponsoring church. I would not send my kids to an evangelical church camp. I would send them to a church camp run by an open-minded and non-pushy mainline Protestant church (Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, etc.). I currently send my kids to a Jewish preschool, so that would obviously be fine with me as well. (We are liberal Christians.)

[schrodinger]

I would definitely consider it. My biggest hesitation would be if the camp expects to fill to capacity. I would feel very guilty taking a spot from someone that is religious and wants a religious day camp.

I think that being exposed to religion is a good thing for kids, even if you yourself may not share some of the same beliefs. Certainly would make for some great discussions on the drive home. I think the parables and the "stories" that kids would get are relevant and drive home the message about making good choices.

[Deleted]

Yes. I would.

[whitepicketfence]

I'm a practicing Catholic so, yes, I would. If I wasn't involved with a church and religion didn't play a large role in my life, I would feel somewhat odd sending my child(ren) to a faith based camp. If religion isn't something that is part of the child's daily life at home, I think the camp could make him uncomfortable at that age.

[definitelyO]

I would if DH would let me.

[Deleted]

no.

[Deleted]

May 21, 2012 14:20:40 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I'm sending mine to YMCA camp but I've been told by my jewish friend it is very low-key

I taught swim lessons at a YMCA for a few years and Jesus was never mentioned once to me by any employee or camper. I dont consider it the same thing as church camp. At least not in NJ. Can't speak for TN. ha.

[dcrunnergirl]

My mom is Jewish, my dad was Catholic. We did a mix of both at home but never went to church or temple. I went to my friend's church camp, and I was horribly embarrassed to not have any clue what they were talking about the entire time when they read stories or sang songs. It definitely made me feel even more like an outsider than I already did as a pre-teen.

[jenny1223]

I wouldn't.

[chessie]

No. I would not send my future to kid to any religious camp, especially knowing we aren't religious in anyway.

[cinco]

We are not religious, but our kids go to a religious based pre-school. The curriculum is the same, other than 30 minutes/ week of bible stories and songs. DD also went to vacation bible school last year and loved it. This year both the older kids will go. I don't see a problem with it.

[statlerwaldorf]

I wouldn't.

[Deleted]

I probably wouldn't if I was totally against organized religion/non-religious...there is bound to be a lot if questions from a 6yr old. That being said I send mine to a bible school that is Presbyterian & we are Catholic--soni'm not a stickler about them exactly lining up.

[barefootcontessa]

I would not send my kids to a religious program where I did not share the beliefs, but spiritual education is very important to me.

[drloretta]

IMO it would depend on his age and the curriculum. If he's 4 or 5 and things are more parables and being good to each other, I wouldn't have a problem with it. If he's older and/or it's more religious than above, I would hesitate. Then again, I'm religious so it would be a non-issue for me.

Is there any way to find out what the curriculum is going to be like before committing?

[Wines Not Whines]

No, I wouldn't.

[locarb]

No, I wouldn't

[Deleted]

No, because I'd be afraid of confusing my child or having to answer questions I wasn't ready for or something.

[pacificrules]

I would, as long as you're ok exposing him to other ideas and he's comfortable enough to ask questions if he wants.

[backinpgh]

I would like my child to have the opportunity to learn about Christian beliefs, but I'd be worried about the other kids. I remember when I was in elementary school and a girl asked if I went to church and I said no and she said we were going to hell. I was bothered by that for a while! It can be tough being the odd kid out in that type of situation.

[Deleted]

May 21, 2012 14:52:48 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

May 21, 2012 14:20:40 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I'm sending mine to YMCA camp but I've been told by my jewish friend it is very low-key

I taught swim lessons at a YMCA for a few years and Jesus was never mentioned once to me by any employee or camper. I dont consider it the same thing as church camp. At least not in NJ. Can't speak for TN. ha.

Here's the odd contradiction... I won't send DS to aftercare at school because it is run by the YMCA and their ads say you have to be a good christian to work aftercare. I grew up going to the YMCA too, but I do get the sense it is more religious here

[madladybride]

No way.