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.
I suspect there will be dozens, if not hundreds, of protesters at the first camp session.
Atheist Camp?
I always thought they were called gub’mint schools.
I happen to be a preacher. I became one online at the ULC 10 years and two months ago.
Why? Because although I’m agnostic/humanist I believe that people have the right to believe what they want. Flat Earth, God, Liberalism whatever so long as is not harming someone else. Someone can believe in God or not or chose to believe in the flying spaghetti monster for all I care.
I also thought it would be nice to be able to marry people but haven’t done any yet but have done a funeral and a eulogy for another funeral.
Why is it so hard for people to just let their kids go to a camp to swim, fish, cop a feel or just have fun. Why put all the God/NoGod shit on them?
By the way, you or more likely to have the BATFE and FBI burn the camp down as anyone on the right in Texas.
# 13 ECA said, on August 19th, 2009 at 6:17 am
I do not believe in a child being forced to practice ANYTHING until they can make a personal decision..According to LAW thats 16.
No piano lessons
No math problems
No studying for school
No sports teams
All those thing require practice. I am not sure about sports teams and piano lessons, but practicing math problems or practicing other schoolwork school work should not be a personal decision until the child receives a high school diploma, at least.
#23 “Why is it so hard for people to just let their kids go to a camp to swim, fish, cop a feel or just have fun. Why put all the God/NoGod shit on them?”
That would be GREAT! But why we don’t? We need to manufacture Christians? 8 year olds don’t spontaneously find Jesus, Zeus, Thor, Vishnu, Allah, or Santa Claus. Mommy and Daddy HAVE TO instruct them, TELL them that Zeus or Jesus are real. That’s why 99.9% of 8 year children of Christians are Christians. 99.9% of 8 year old children of Jews are Jews. 99.9% of 8 year old children of Hinuds are Hindu. Huh. If we don’t instruct the kids in educational camps, bible schools or whatnot, we can’t manufacture a new generation of profit…I mean members.
Speaking for the disadvantaged kids or maybe those families of the unemployed, any kind of summer camp is better than having none. The briefest of times, away from home in an outdoors environment among new friends, changes lives.
#18 – Higghawker,
I thought you were talking about something offered at the camp. That is not.
#23 – Mr. Diesel,
Why is it so hard for people to just let their kids go to a camp to swim, fish, cop a feel or just have fun. Why put all the God/NoGod shit on them?
I don’t have kids, so have not done this research. Do such camps exist? The camp I went to as a child definitely had a god component including services, which, though optional were promoted reasonably well attended.
#24 – Benjamin,
The things you cite require skill not dogma/indoctrination. They are activities not beliefs. Are you so religious that you can not see a distinction?
Call me a crazy liberal self-determinist, but shouldn’t every child, when coming of the age of conscious thought (12-14) make their own decision regarding such an important topic such as religion or lack thereof, rather than go to indoctrination through a Bible or Athiest camp?
I’ve always loved how Athiests are so sure of the lack of God. Heck, I can’t even be sure I turned off the kitchen light in the morning! I have every respect in the agnostic the isn’t sure about the existence of God, and a lack therein in anyone that is sure she doesn’t exist. It’s a fool’s arguement. You only find out when you die, and you can’t brag about if you’re right.
Great! Atheism turned religion.
#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…
Belief is for those who do not know
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!