When I lived in the UK, I wasn't really aware of church camps, I had never heard of vacation bible schools and I went to scout camps and was able to tolerate the scant evidence that it's a Christian organization. But apparently, the whole religeousness of it all was really bothering some people, so they came up with an Atheist Summer Camp. :eek: Think it would fly here? (with or without a treadmill) :lol:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8172844.stm? ? Why not just do a regular, non-religious oriented camp?
My thoughts exactly. Especially in the UK where religion really is generally not so "big" -despite Christianity being the official religion of the country. Churches are not generally the social groups they are here. Unless you're over 60. maybe it changed while I was gone. I doubt it, though.
Unless they plan on doing science, and want to ward away any parents likely to complain about little Jonny learning Evilution and demanding their money back, I don't see much point.
Though I do like this aspect:
At least one of the parents delivering children to the Mill on the Brue activity centre had already taken his daughter to one of the many Christian summer camps, but wanted to give her wider experience.
I think it could be very poplular. Above the MD Line. :D
Think of all the campfire songs they won't be able to sing. There's Kumbaya, He's Got the Whole World (In His Hands) and Michael Row Your Boat Ashore, to name a few.
I wonder what they'll sing around the campfire? :)
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We need to create some FSM songs for them! There are enough musicians on here.....
we didn't sing religious songs at guide (=girl scout) camp
We sang about kookaburras in the gum tree and ducks in the swamp. and pop songs.
in fact, now i think about it, the kookaburras were gay
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I cannot find a decent video of Web Footed Friends, but here are the lyrics i remember...
be kind to your web-footed friends
For a duck may be somebody's mother
It lives all alone in the swamp
Where the weather is always domp (to rhyme with swamp)
Well you may think that this is the end
Well it is, but to prove I'm a liar
It goes on and on and on
Only this time a little bit higher.....
Ohhhhh ..
be kind to....
etc.
huh. I always ended that song with, "well it is." bump da bump.
It just sounds like a good, cheap alternative to Scout/ Guide camp to me. There are non-religious camps out there, but they are the high end activity ones.
I mean yes, the evangelical churches have their own summer camps - and Jebus is definitely camping with you then. But to me the religious aspect of Brownie camp was noticeable. I mean we would have evening prayers for a start! It seemed quite natural to a practising Catholic, but it was also a kind of drip-feeding of religion to children who probably grew up believing in heaven and God as a kind of benevolent Father Christmas who you made bargains with when you were in a panic.
I think it's a great idea for children of like-minded parents to be able to spend time together. You're right Monster, we're not such committed god-botherers here, but you be surprised how often he is invoked in the name of decency, and especially regarding homosexuality.
be kind to your web-footed friends
For a duck may be somebody's mother
Be kind to every Who on every speck
Every Who may be somebody's mother
--Whoville, to Horton (the old cartoon)
DAD:
There are Jews in the world.
There are Buddhists.
There are Hindus and Mormons, and then
There are those that follow Mohammed, but
I've never been one of them.
I'm a Roman Catholic,
And have been since before I was born,
And the one thing they say about Catholics is:
They'll take you as soon as you're warm.
You don't have to be a six-footer.
You don't have to have a great brain.
You don't have to have any clothes on. You're
A Catholic the moment Dad came,
Because
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.
CHILDREN:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.
GIRL:
Let the heathen spill theirs
On the dusty ground.
God shall make them pay for
Each sperm that can't be found.
CHILDREN:
Every sperm is wanted.
Every sperm is good.
Every sperm is needed
In your neighbourhood.
MUM:
Hindu, Taoist, Mormon,
Spill theirs just anywhere,
But God loves those who treat their
Semen with more care.
MEN:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
WOMEN:
If a sperm is wasted,...
CHILDREN:
...God get quite irate.
PRIEST:
Every sperm is sacred.
BRIDE and GROOM:
Every sperm is good.
NANNIES:
Every sperm is needed...
CARDINALS:
...In your neighbourhood!
CHILDREN:
Every sperm is useful.
Every sperm is fine.
FUNERAL CORTEGE:
God needs everybody's.
MOURNER #1:
Mine!
MOURNER #2:
And mine!
CORPSE:
And mine!
NUN:
Let the Pagan spill theirs
O'er mountain, hill, and plain.
HOLY STATUES:
God shall strike them down for
Each sperm that's spilt in vain.
EVERYONE:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is good.
Every sperm is needed
In your neighbourhood.
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite iraaaaaate!