The Washington Post had a photo profile of the Camp Quest (http://www.campquest.org) programs in which they called them the atheists’ answer to Bible school (http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/camp-quest-is-atheists-answer-to-bible-school/2011/07/19/gIQAe1hRbI_story.html) which is only partially correct.

While they do tout themselves as a secular humanist camp open to atheists and agnostics and secular humanists without a religious bent, it isn’t so much that they are in opposition to the Bible camp experience but rather that they are providing an appropriate positive experience for the children of those who simply are not likely to ever send their kids to one of the many Christian style Bible camps. The recognize the social value of such camps and wish to afford their children such an experience without the religious elements.

Of course, they do seem to be pushing to indoctrination elements of the secular humanist philosophy but for the Christian camp association to call them a re-education program is not fair. I certainly transmit my values to my child and don’t see why others shouldn’t feel free to find ways to transmit their own values to their own children. Honestly, I’d be more likely to send my child to a goal or interest-oriented program such as a music camp than one devoted to philosophical or metaphysical concerns although I certainly had such experiences growing up (I attended a political awareness camp – despite Glen Beck’s asinine idiotic assertion that the kids killed in the Norway shooting were akin to Hitler Youth since no one but an evil organization would sponsor youth camps about politics, the US does have political awareness camps where exceptional high school kids are invited to come and learn about government (when I was there representing my school, participants were divided into political parties and had elections, I ended up being Secretary of State) – as well as umpteen various Bible camps (and vacation Bible schools and the like – when I was a kid I wanted to become a preacher when I grew up) and scouting events growing up).

I think the Camp Quest programs are an excellent idea and while I would not send my own child to such a program – I wouldn’t send her to a Christian camp either – I think it’s an excellent idea for folks with those values to provide positive experiences for their own children and those of other like-minded families.

BTW, the photo above is from the CQ Press Kit on their flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/camp_quest/sets/72157625594380532/). It looks like the Texas camp has some awesome camp uniforms.

– Brian