Would you send your Catholic child to a Christian camp?

[descovy]

Is the camp a particular denomination itself? Or is it non-denominational?

If the camp itself is one denomination, I could see a problem because the vast majority of kids would be of that denomination. If it is non-denominational then you are going to have kids from all kinds of Christian churches which, it seems to me, would make there less chance of a problem.

Maybe you can find some reviews and such of the camp online that may give a little insight too.

Just a note, that non denominational does not always equal "safe". Or that it is inclusive of all religious beliefs. All it means is that the church/camp is not governed under a certain denomination and that they have created their own ways of interpreting scripture, liturgy, etc... One non denominational doctrine may be agreeable to you, while another may not. It's not so simple to say non denominational churches are open and welcoming and non judgemental.

I'll give an example. I live in Houston. 4th largest city in the nation and in the Bible Belt. Churches galore! I knew a family who drove an hour every Sunday to a non denominational church. It was a super small church. (Friend said there were maybe a dozen families). Why did they drive one hour to a super small church? Because according the family it was the only church that "interpreted the bible right." It was non denominational simply because it didn't fit in the doctrine of any known denomination. It wasn't inclusive...it was just its own distinct flavor of Christian.

 

[Buckalew11]

For me, it would depend on the camp. I'd dig deep before I sent DD to any camp period, but esp. a "Christian" camp.

I'm Southern Baptist. I HAVE heard S. Baptists say things about Catholics before. I have heard my DD say that a man was teaching her SS class about 3 years ago and he made that statement. She has not returned to her church (not my/our church, she went to one that had a larger youth group) since then and won't. I actually heard a negative comment on Sunday about Catholics praying to the Saints instead of to God. It is very frustrating and I'm not sure whether he was really listening to me when we exchanged thoughts about that comment or not. *sigh*

We're all Christians...Catholics and Baptists and all denominations of Christianity are believers of the same God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. And I will say there was also a positive comment made about Catholics in that same class that day. That's probably rare when the topic comes up (which is also rare!) but I was glad to hear people realizing that other denominations have wonderful beliefs and habits too.

Anyway, there is no difference in the term "being saved"/ being "born again" than in believing, accepting and repenting & confessing Jesus Christ as the central part of your belief system which is what makes Christianity Christianity. Those are just terms based on salvation (saving Grace) through Christ and a Biblical term used in the NT saying it is "new life" through Christ.

If the main ideas of the religion were different than yes, I'd have much more concern. I'm sure at 11 she knows the basics of her beliefs and if asked, she can probably do just fine expressing her views. Once those are told, they should see it is all the same anyway. My BFF growing up was Catholic and she always went to VBS with me and I with her in the summers. I loved visiting the Catholic Church.

 

[TB'sWidow]

I'm pretty sure Catholics are Christians

To answer your question, yes I would. I was raised Catholic, and my dd was baptized one. When I needed to find a daycare center for her the only one that had all I wanted was Christian center. Sure there were some "extras" that came with it, but she loved it.

Yea I thought they were Christians too. I went to Catholic school and I don't think any damage was done. I'm sure camp would be fine. Mary

 

[NaLisa]

Does the camp have a web site? What is its mission statement? Do they mention diversity of belief?

I would not send my child to a camp that believes in only one right path, and whose mission is to bring children and youth around to the "right" way of thinking. I absolutely would never, ever send my child to a camp where staff or other children were allowed to tell any child that he/she would go to hell for believing differently or not believing at all.

However, there are many wonderful camps, Christian and otherwise, that encourage interfaith dialogue and interaction among children and youth while providing a safe and secure environment. I wouldn't hesitate to send my child to a place where she would learn about others' beliefs while hers were also respected.

Bottom line, I would check into the camp a LOT more before making a decision. Since this is your daughter's first overnight camp experience, you want her to feel nurtured and safe, not ostracized or confused.

Have you checked into Girl Scout camps in your area? Here, they're subsidized by councils, cookie sales, etc., so they cost about half of other, similar camps. There's only a $30 extra fee per week for non-Girl Scouts. I went to GS camp several times as a girl and my oldest DD is going for the third straight summer, and we both had wonderful, memorable experiences. It is an accredited camp, so I would agree with a PP that you should check for accreditation.

 

[luvsJack]

Just a note, that non denominational does not always equal "safe". Or that it is inclusive of all religious beliefs. All it means is that the church/camp is not governed under a certain denomination and that they have created their own ways of interpreting scripture, liturgy, etc... One non denominational doctrine may be agreeable to you, while another may not. It's not so simple to say non denominational churches are open and welcoming and non judgemental.

I'll give an example. I live in Houston. 4th largest city in the nation and in the Bible Belt. Churches galore! I knew a family who drove an hour every Sunday to a non denominational church. It was a super small church. (Friend said there were maybe a dozen families). Why did they drive one hour to a super small church? Because according the family it was the only church that "interpreted the bible right." It was non denominational simply because it didn't fit in the doctrine of any known denomination. It wasn't inclusive...it was just its own distinct flavor of Christian.

Maybe I should have said "multi denominational" meaning that its not set on one denomination or the other; not that it has a doctrine so much of its on.

Different interpretations of the Bible can be found within one denomination so that could be said of someone that goes from one Southern Baptist church to another. I have two bil's that are preachers and one of them has strong issues with the church we attend, the other only with the music we have. They both have interpretations of the Bible that I don't agree with.

We have two non-denominational churches close by. One I would attend, one I would not. For neither does it have anything to do with their beliefs just more the way their services are conducted.

 

[jen0610]

If it is a Southern Baptist church, sorry. My answer would be NO.

I don't think Catholic children should be talked about being "saved". It could be quite intimidating.

Catholics are Christian. But many Catholics would have culture shock at how some Christians worship

Neither are bad. Just on very different ends of the Christian spectrum.

DH got his culture shock at my grandma's "funeral". We don't do showings and the whole funeral home viewing that he had grow up use to. We do memorial services and family only at the grave site. Even the grave site set up is different, as it was grandma's ashes that were being buried. Needless to say, DH provided the comic relief that was needed, when he made the comment that it, thinking coffin, wouldn't fit in that tiny little hole that was pointed out to him.

 

[katie111]

Wow! Thanks for all of the responses.

Just to answer a few questions/points that came up:

1) the camp is non (or "multi") denominational
2) the camp is accredited by the ACA
3) my DD is a girl scout & we have looked into those but the around here they only go for 5 nights & she really wants 2 weeks.

This is what their website says about many of the issues everyone has raised:

"I would also share with you that we don’t "shove" the Gospel of Jesus down the throats of our campers. It would be wrong as adults and people in authority to manipulate an emotional response out of a camper. You have probably heard stories of religious activities involving public demonstrations of faith, and while there might be a place for that in some circumstances, camp is not that place. We don’t sit around a campfire singing “kumbYah” until every camper has raised his hand. We prefer to simply make the presentation and permit the camper to make a personal decision, not coerced though emotional manipulation or peer pressure.

Since all our camps are located in New England, we often get asked if someone from a Catholic background can attend. Yes, in fact we have many campers each summer from Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, and non-faith backgrounds who are comfortable with attending our camps. While our non-denominational approach is centered on the historic Christian faith, we are not a denominational camp. We use the 66 book Bible, and our camp philosophy is clearly from an historical Judeo-Christian approach"

And this is their mission statement:

"Our mission is to introduce people to Jesus Chris in such a compelling fashion that they will come to know Him as Lord and Savior."

Any more thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[goofy4tink]

It will probably be just fine. I wouldn't expect there to be holy-roller types up here in NE. I guess there could be, but I tend to doubt it.
If you've seen reviews that are good, I would just call, or visit, the camp. Do they have an open house coming up? A lot of camps do. Just chat with the director and get a feel for the 'kind' of religion your dd may run into there.

I think one of the funniest conversations I've had was with one of my dd's good friends, about 3 years ago. The girls were sophomores at the time. We were going into Holy Week...so the girls were chatting about church. This one girl was RC, we are Episcopalian. This girl turned to my dd and said 'Well, you're protestant, so you don't know about Holy Week. That's only for Christians!!!' 'No, honey, protestants are Christian', 'No mam, they are not. Only Catholics are Christians!! You're very wrong.' Oh well. Just goes to show what the kids were being told at church!!!

 

[scottmel]

We are Catholic DD14 goes to catholic school. That being said she has attended born again services at a neighboring church on/off since she has been 4. She is quite aware of the differences and will tell me"they don't believe in Saints..how crazy is that?" Or do you know they don't worship Mary, now how is that possible, the woman gave birth to Jesus etc. She attended a week long camp with them and came home telling me - they spoke in tongues trying to get the holy spirit - don't they know you don't have to do that he is already in you? Point is - she was AWARE of the differences and wasn't at all swayed or felt it was better than Catholic etc.

Personally GOD is GOD and 2 weeks of religion in a kid's life in today's world is a great thing. I don't think she will come home speaking in tongues or renouncing the saints etc. If anything she will come home with questions and you answer them the best you can. Has worked well for us. In fact her BF is Christian but attends catholic school with my DD and she is taught her values at home while LEARNING catholic values but isn't compelled to to change her beliefs etc. Also the being saved part - all you do is raise your hand and ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. DD told me she raised her hand b/c yes she felt that way and well just in case she said !LOL

 

[CPT Tripss]

In my experience, if there are worship services that end by asking kids to accept Jesus as their savior, there will be emotional manipulation and very likely peer pressure through out the two weeks.

 

[CPT Tripss]

New England is not a Holy Roller Evangelical free zone . In fact it may be so logical and humanistic that its populace needs to be " ... introduced to Jesus in such a compelling fashion that they come to know Him as Lord and Savior."

That mission statement makes me think the camping experience will be uncomfortable for a non-evangelically raised child.

 

[luvsJack]

Wow! Thanks for all of the responses.

Just to answer a few questions/points that came up:

1) the camp is non (or "multi") denominational
2) the camp is accredited by the ACA
3) my DD is a girl scout & we have looked into those but the around here they only go for 5 nights & she really wants 2 weeks.

This is what their website says about many of the issues everyone has raised:

"I would also share with you that we don’t "shove" the Gospel of Jesus down the throats of our campers. It would be wrong as adults and people in authority to manipulate an emotional response out of a camper. You have probably heard stories of religious activities involving public demonstrations of faith, and while there might be a place for that in some circumstances, camp is not that place. We don’t sit around a campfire singing “kumbYah” until every camper has raised his hand. We prefer to simply make the presentation and permit the camper to make a personal decision, not coerced though emotional manipulation or peer pressure.

Since all our camps are located in New England, we often get asked if someone from a Catholic background can attend. Yes, in fact we have many campers each summer from Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, and non-faith backgrounds who are comfortable with attending our camps. While our non-denominational approach is centered on the historic Christian faith, we are not a denominational camp. We use the 66 book Bible, and our camp philosophy is clearly from an historical Judeo-Christian approach"

And this is their mission statement:

"Our mission is to introduce people to Jesus Chris in such a compelling fashion that they will come to know Him as Lord and Savior."

Any more thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Sounds like a great camp to me. I like that they don't shove anything at anyone and that they don't try emotional manipulation. Just give the message and leave it.



The church we attended before has a youth director that disliked a lot youth camps because of this very reason. Too many do just shove it at the kids and have very emotional services/music/etc. and too many make a decision at that point. He felt that it wasn't real to them for that reason. I can certainly see his point. He has since found a camp that does things differently and the kids from that church go there.

 

[Janepod]

New England is not a Holy Roller Evangelical free zone . In fact it may be so logical and humanistic that its populace needs to be " ... introduced to Jesus in such a compelling fashion that they come to know Him as Lord and Savior."

That mission statement makes me think the camping experience will be uncomfortable for a non-evangelically raised child.

I agree. That mission statement is a big turnoff for me. It makes it sound like the purpose of the camp is religious education, not, say, whittling and swimming and making lanyards. I would not be comfortable sending my child there.

This is the kind of "mission statement" I would be looking for: Camp XYZ empowers people to contribute positively to society by promoting the values of kindness, respect for others, and environmental stewardship.

 

[Southernmiss]

I agree. That mission statement is a big turnoff for me. It makes it sound like the purpose of the camp is religious education, not, say, whittling and swimming and making lanyards. I would not be comfortable sending my child there.

Yep and the need to explain that they use the 66 books of the Bible approach.

 

[Anne34]

Yep. I have been told that I'm not going to heaven because I'm not "saved." Never mind making all my sacraments and going to church every Sunday. The first time I heard this was in fifth grade from a classmate; the last time was last year from a woman in her 50s. 30+ years of hearing this.

Before I say something that gets this thread closed let me leave it at this: I would not want my child to have to defend his or herself against statements like this.

I had the same experience. I wanted to go to camp one summer with a friend. It was Baptist. They spent the entire week trying to convert us -- even coming to our bed at night and surrounding another friend and I (both Catholic) and scaring us with stories about not going to heaven, not really being Christian, etc. We both said we'd be "saved" after a few nights of this. We were also ridiculed for not being able to recite bible verses from memory. I went to CCD and church every Sunday, but Catholics aren't into quoting scripture. I've read the bible, but not memorized it. I would not want me child to be subjected to it.

I think it would depend on the religion. Lutheren & Episcopal are very close. Some others, not so much. Do your homework

 

[NaLisa]

New England is not a Holy Roller Evangelical free zone . In fact it may be so logical and humanistic that its populace needs to be " ... introduced to Jesus in such a compelling fashion that they come to know Him as Lord and Savior."

That mission statement makes me think the camping experience will be uncomfortable for a non-evangelically raised child.

I agree. They think your child needs to be saved and will have your permission to try to do so. I would not send my daughter to this camp.

 

[JakeJenna]

And this is their mission statement:

"Our mission is to introduce people to Jesus Chris in such a compelling fashion that they will come to know Him as Lord and Savior."

I'm on the evangelical side myself but in your situation that would make me uncomfortable.

 

[okeydokey]

Two weeks is a long time to be stuck if she gets there and feels uncomfortable.

 

[krcit]

I agree. That mission statement is a big turnoff for me. It makes it sound like the purpose of the camp is religious education, not, say, whittling and swimming and making lanyards. I would not be comfortable sending my child there.

This is the kind of "mission statement" I would be looking for: Camp XYZ empowers people to contribute positively to society by promoting the values of kindness, respect for others, and environmental stewardship.

I agree. i wouldn't send my kids to a camp with that mission statement.I was raised Catholic btw.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Two things that jumped out at me:

We use the 66 book Bible,

I think that this is a pretty clear indication that they do not consider Catholicism as one of the denominations they represent.

And this is their mission statement:

"Our mission is to introduce people to Jesus Chris in such a compelling fashion that they will come to know Him as Lord and Savior."

Any more thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I would not be comfortable with this. I would choose a camp whose mission is directly related to camping, or developing kids as leaders, athletes, team players etc . . .