Would you send your Catholic child to a Christian camp?

[GrnMtnMan]

Do you know anyone who has gone to this camp?

This more than anything.

I'm Catholic, but went to a YMCA affiliated camp (Dudley). 'Religious' stuff is part of the experience, but there's no recruitment into a particular type of worship or denomination. And they provided a bus for Catholics to attend the Saturday evening vigil. If they do this, I'd say its a good sign that its not an arm of some particular faith.

But I'd find this out from someone you know and trust who has personal experience.

 

[Bonnie151]

I would. I was raised Catholic but played the violin in a local Seventh Day Adventist orchestra. I performed during dozens and dozens of their church services, was present during their prayer sessions and bible study while on tour (didn't actively participate) and learned more about SDA than I ever thought possible! It did me absolutely no harm and whilst I don't agree with much of that religion I still consider some of the closest friends that I have ever had to have come from that group.

 

[luvsJack]

Catholicism is a subset of Christianity. However, I have met many Christians (primarily Southern Baptists) who do not consider Catholics "real" Christians.

Never heard that before. I am Southern Baptist and have never considered anyone that claims to be Christian to be anything else nor have I heard any other Southern Baptist make that claim--after all Christianity is about a whole lot of stuff besides the denomination of your church.


To answer the OP: talk to the camp director about your concerns, whatever they are. He/she is really the only person who is going to be able to tell you what you need to know. I am not even going to begin to claim that there are not some people who have an issue with a denomination other than their own but don't assume because it is a "Christian" camp that its going to be against Catholics. I would venture to guess that they serve many denominations.

 

[Janepod]

To answer the OP: talk to the camp director about your concerns, whatever they are. He/she is really the only person who is going to be able to tell you what you need to know. I am not even going to begin to claim that there are not some people who have an issue with a denomination other than their own but don't assume because it is a "Christian" camp that its going to be against Catholics. I would venture to guess that they serve many denominations.

Let me be clear that as a parent my concerns would not be with the camp itself, but with the other campers.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Yeah, I agree. Most Christian run programs/camps/daycares are VERY well done. My cousins attended many of these run by various organizations and, while Christian camps, they took kids for many different denominations and it was never a problem.

I think it's important to try to get another parent's review though.

That's an odd comment. I work in education and have an opportunity to visit many preschools, schools, and camps, both secular and religious in various faith traditions. Some are fantastic, some are horrifying, and many fall somewhere in between. Religious affiliation isn't a predictor of quality. Two of the very best preschools in my area, where I'd send my kid without hesitation, are Episcopalian, as is the worst program I'd ever seen, the one where I walked out the door shaken and on the verge of tears for the poor kids. I can think of secular programs as well, that they range along the entire spectrum.

I think about the only thing you can say about Christian camps in general, is that they are more likely to talk/sing/pray about Jesus than camps of other religions, or those that describe themselves as secular. Anything else is a generalization that's probably meaningless.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I think in New England you will be ok. We are United Methodists, my ds went to Catholic school for 8 years. He attends a United Methodist camp in NH each summer, but it really is "Happy Christian" camp, it's more about Jesus loves you than anything else and there are plenty of non-Methodists who attend.

I was raised in the Midwest and my mom was raised a Southern Baptist, so I know all about the fear of not being comfortable with an Evangelical approach. They didn't think I was properly baptized because I didn't have a full immersion, and when my aunt married a Catholic guy in 1967, I guess my grandparents didn't quite know what to do

I have never encountered anything like that in this area. Based on the description given by the camp director (who doesn't want an incident anymore than you do), I think it would be fine -- particularly if it is "generic Christian" camp.

Most Protestant churches in New England are not the "Holy Roller" sects, with a few exceptions. Ask what denomination the camp is affliated with -- that will be a great help. Then go to that sect's local website and get a feel for how they "do" religion. Our denomination does not follow the "Rapture" theories and we welcome everyone at our table for Communion, I think if it is a United Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc. affiliated camp your child would be perfectly comfortable.

Best of Luck and let us know what you find out and decide!

Maria

 

[Southernmiss]

Never heard that before. I am Southern Baptist and have never considered anyone that claims to be Christian to be anything else nor have I heard any other Southern Baptist make that claim--after all Christianity is about a whole lot of stuff besides the denomination of your church. QUOTE]

You sound like good people.

 

[kt_mom]

Wow that's a lot of money. I just signed DD up through our church for a week and it was only $90. She's really excited and they have lots of great activities.

As for your question, I'm not sure. We are southern baptist and my first thought was no. Not because I have anything against Catholics but because we believe differently.

But on second thought. If it was a good camp and she wanted to go I would consider it. It could lead to some good discussions when she got home. I think its good for kids to learn about different faiths and that you can believe differently and still treat each other with respect. Particularly when it comes to making broad statements about those of other faiths.

 

[Social Worker Sue]

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.

 

[descovy]

We are Lutheran (ELCA) and have had similar issues as you when it comes to Christian camps.

The biggest theological difference, is the idea of "being saved". Because this is the dis, I don't want to get in a theological discussion over which is "right" but I will tell you in the Lutheran Church, no one will ask you when we're you "saved" or to come up to the front of the chapel and " accept Jesus". These phrases and actions do not accurately portray how we Lutherans interpret grace and salvation.

A Christian camp that calls people up to be saved or ask people when they were saved is not a place for my child. It would confuse the belief system my family and church are teaching them. In my area, I have to be very careful of VBS at certain denominations that view vbs as a way to evangelise and "save" children.

I understand where the op is coming from. In this regard, Lutherans and Catholics are very similar.

 

[cepmom]

our daughters are catholic, however they participate all year in a youth group from a protestant church in our town. They love being a part of the youth group and they go to the summer camp every year (well, this will be DD12 first year going to camp) it's not an issue for us; many of the youth group kids are catholic.

 

[jen0610]

They are... Catholics are the original Christians. But there are certain other "Christians" who don't think Catholics are the "right kind" of Christians and are happy to tell you so.

I would be leery but might consider it *if* I could get more info about exactly what would be taught during Bible study and/or I knew some people who had attended in the past and could tell me about it.

And you should have heard some of the comments I got from 3 of DH's Catholic friends when they found out he was dating a Protestant. Talk about someone trying to make you feel bad about your beliefs. Most of them had no issue, but those 3, we didn't see eye to eye and to this day, we still don't see eye to eye.

DS and DD are not a member of either my church or DH's church. They will make that decision when they fully understand what they are commiting themselves to. Now, that being said, both of them attend the church camp that my church runs. Have since the 5th grade. DD take not only her bible with her for small group bible study, but she also takes her book of prayers that her dad got her and she regular reads every night before going to bed. One of the counselors, noticed it and the two of them had a really good conversation about it. To the point that as a cabin, they had a conversation about it.

DD also sent a week at a Lutheran ran church camp a couple of years ago. No issues there. I wouldn't have an issue with sending either of my kids to a church camp that is different from mine.

 

[Christine]

That's an odd comment. I work in education and have an opportunity to visit many preschools, schools, and camps, both secular and religious in various faith traditions. Some are fantastic, some are horrifying, and many fall somewhere in between. Religious affiliation isn't a predictor of quality. Two of the very best preschools in my area, where I'd send my kid without hesitation, are Episcopalian, as is the worst program I'd ever seen, the one where I walked out the door shaken and on the verge of tears for the poor kids. I can think of secular programs as well, that they range along the entire spectrum.

I think about the only thing you can say about Christian camps in general, is that they are more likely to talk/sing/pray about Jesus than camps of other religions, or those that describe themselves as secular. Anything else is a generalization that's probably meaningless.

What's "odd" about it? Maybe my statement was inaccurate because I meant to say "most Christian daycares/camps/programs that *I* have experienced have been very well run. Both of my kids have been involved in local Christian day camps an spent years in a Christian-run daycare. All before attending private Catholic schools. Especially during the preschool years, my experience was that these daycares and day camps were of a higher quality than my experiences with a "corporate" daycare or a county camp. There was never any pushy religion at all and, if there was, we would have beat feet out of there.

My use of camps/preschools etc was based on the highest quality that I could afford for my kids and, in my experience, we always seemed to end up at some religious-based place. The funny thing is, we are about as far from being "religious" as one can get.

 

[luvsJack]

Let me be clear that as a parent my concerns would not be with the camp itself, but with the other campers.

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.

 

[wendy46001]

As a catholic who went to several fundamentalist Christian retreats (my BFF growing up was fundie-lite) It would really depend on your child. I was told repeatedly that i wasn’t Christian, my bible was incorrect and that i was going to hell.

As a tween/teen i could hold my own and none of it ever bothered me. I loved a good debate and went for the free trips to some cool places. Plus I had my BFF who always stood up for me.

 

[luvsJack]

Never heard that before. I am Southern Baptist and have never considered anyone that claims to be Christian to be anything else nor have I heard any other Southern Baptist make that claim--after all Christianity is about a whole lot of stuff besides the denomination of your church. QUOTE]

You sound like good people.

Thank you!

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

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 find this interesting because DH was raised Catholic and we now attend a Methodist church. DH's mom flat out told us the only reason we *might* go to Heaven is because we do mission work. Since we aren't Catholic she prays everyday for us because we aren't the "right" religion.

OP--I would do as much research as possible and do what you feel comfortable with. As a pp said, it would be great if you could speak with someone who has been there and can give a firsthand account. Good luck!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I find this interesting because DH was raised Catholic and we now attend a Methodist church. DH's mom flat out told us the only reason we *might* go to Heaven is because we do mission work. Since we aren't Catholic she prays everyday for us because we aren't the "right" religion.

OP--I would do as much research as possible and do what you feel comfortable with. As a pp said, it would be great if you could speak with someone who has been there and can give a firsthand account. Good luck!

Why would you get credit in heaven for doing mission work if you're converting people to the "wrong" religion?

Not that I think that that's how you get to heaven, or that Methodism (is that a word?) is the "wrong" religion. I'm just trying to work out the internal logic of this kind of thinking.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

Why would you get credit in heaven for doing mission work if you're converting people to the "wrong" religion?

Not that I think that that's how you get to heaven, or that Methodism (is that a word?) is the "wrong" religion. I'm just trying to work out the internal logic of this kind of thinking.

Who knows? I can't talk with her about it.

DH had a looooong talk with her and she had many incorrect assumptions about our faith. I don't know if it did any good, but she knows if she starts up again we won't be spending much time with her. It's not good when grandma thinks her grandkids are the wrong religion.

 

[ChitownFamily]

Before this thread is closed. OP have you checked out the American Camp Association- they offer a camp accreditation program & great parent resources including a database of all accredited camps. Try the advance search to find camps of a particular interest. http://www.acacamps.org/. When I attended summer camp it was not unusual to have kids attend from across the country. Sadly camps do tend to be expensive, the aca is trying to raise money to help send kids to camp
Best of luck