Re: atheists camp for kids
 

Love doesn't have to be physical, it can be the meeting of two minds on a higher plane, intellects sparking off each other to create a synergy of ever-growing mental stimulation which can transcend mere physical limitations, which, when the two melded minds can take no more, can lead to a Phalacrocorax aristotelis.;)

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

For me all this is a bit strange as I see a major role of parenting is to bring children up to learn to think independently and for themselves, ultimately in order to draw their own conclusions about the world.

Do we really need to send children to a camp in order to do this?

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

With so many members wouldn't a Phalacrocorax nivalis be more appropriate?

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

What ever happened to Scout summer camps?

I think any camp trying to achieve a religious/anti religious goal is a bad idea.

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

"Duty to God" is a principle of Scouting, though it is applied differently in various countries

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scouting

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

I do know, I was in the Scouts when I was younger, something which I am very grateful for.

So you're telling me every time I attended the Scouts, it was for religious reasons?

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

no posted for info only

you posted " I think any camp trying to achieve a religious/anti religious goal is a bad idea."

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

Yes, and I didn't attend the scouts for religious reasons. Nor did it have any religious implications on me, so there's nothing wrong with them.

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

In all honesty I'd imagine that the vast majority of kids attending this camp will just be happy to be spending a week or two under canvas away from from their parents.
If at the end of the day whilst sitting round a camp-fire a philosophical discussion about "why are we here" crops up that's all to the good in my opinion, they'll each get a chance to chip in and more importantly listen to others viewpoints...surely that's win win for everybody.

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

The only camps I got sent to when I was young (between 8 and 10) was run by the South African army and we ran around all day playing wargames....

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

Children should be allowed to make their own minds up about religion & God. The problems start when people start to inflict their own beliefs upon their kids.

Keep your religion, & your beliefs to yourself. Live & let live,

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

So if my faith forms my moral outlook on the world, how do I keep that away from my daughter? Part of a parent's job is to do what they think is best for their children so why should I not bring her up in Christianity?

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

Putting aside that this may be a slight exaggeration on the part of our press i don't believe any camp that kids attend should have any religious connatation be it for or against. I would fully support anything that got kids out and about in a positive way but would dearly love religion to be kept out of people's lives until they are old enough to make their own informed choice as to what if any faith they wanted to follow.

For me faith is a personal thing whether you choose to follow one or not and i don't and never have thought it right for ideological groups to in anyway shape or form influence kids to whatever direction. Let kids be kids, let them have their carefree years without getting dragged into things the so called adults cannot even decide to any reasonable certainty or concensus. Our kids have enough to deal with these days without getting involved in things many older people cannot fully understand or debate rationally or peacefully.

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

Chicken and egg. If children were taught some thinking skills early on, they would be less likely to grow into adults who base their philosophy on tabloid headlines.

Re: atheists camp for kids
 

Whether children think for themself and grow up with an open mind is more down to parenting then anything else. I have always taught my kids to follow their own mind first and to think about anything and everything before allowing it to influence them but then i have the luxury of having the time these days to do that and nurture it.