Daughter 11 wants to go on a Christian camp

suki1001

My DD goes to a youth group that she likes once a week, in the summer they have an opportunity to go to a christian youth camp for a week.
I think it might be nice for her to get away, listen to some live music and have a holiday with some people her age. Me and my husband don't go to church, although I come from a Catholic background.

I knew friends who went on these camps and they seemed to have a good time. Admittedly the youth group she's part of are a bit of a happy clappy church, but she doesn't go.

My husband on the other hand is dead set against it, he doesn't think much of the church, but is happy for her to go to the group. He is completely against her going on the holiday, he's worried she'll be brainwashed and likens these holidays to the hitler youth. He doesn't mind for just an hour. My opinion is she should go, I think she'll have a nice time, but it is cauing friction between us - he feels really strongly and says she's to young to go. I can understand his concerns, but I feel he's being a little too cautious about it.

Anybody any views - am I being a bit too relaxed about the whole thing or is he being paranoid?

sooz

Does he think after a week away she may get the urge to invade Poland?

It's a church youth camp. I'd have no hesitation. My kids do them every summer. Youngest did get rather into the idea of visiting heaven, until eldest pointed out he'd need to be dead first.

sweaty_betty

It might be worth asking the leaders what the camp will involve if you/your husband is concerned. I went on a few of these when I was young and typically they involved doing God-type things in the morning, then social things for the rest of the day. This way different people will take different things from them.

I understand your husband's concerns, but I would imagine you've talked as a family about what you both believe too. It's good for children to understand that there are different perspectives on a range of issues, this way they are perhaps less likely to be "brain washed" - even over an entire week .

FWIW we go to church but there are lots of things I don't agree with, so my plan is to discuss issues at home so my LO understands people can have different views and is eventually able to weigh things up and make his own mind up.

Brighton_belle

Well if she goes, she may well have a very nice time, but you would also need to be prepared that she may come back a happy clappy born again christian.
Some might see this as harmless. It my experience it really wasn't in the longer term.

suki1001

sooz wrote: »

Does he think after a week away she may get the urge to invade Poland?

It's a church youth camp. I'd have no hesitation. My kids do them every summer. Youngest did get rather into the idea of visiting heaven, until eldest pointed out he'd need to be dead first.

I think he thinks she's going to come back a fully fledged christian having been brainwashed..

WolfSong2000

I got forced when I was at school (and around your daughter's age) to go on one of these Christian youth camps...I am not religious, never have been. They do lay it on a bit thick, but if your daughter wants to go, then let her. At 11 she should be getting old enough to make up her own mind about these things (I'd hope). Maybe just remind her that if she has any questions when she gets back, or wants some stuff clarified, etc, etc, then you're happy to sit down with her and talk her through it...after all, it's always good to get another perspective. I did this when i sat my A-Levels...I did religious studies, teacher was a baptist minister and she and I had many an in-depth discussion about religion, even though I am not remotely christian. I still learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Own_My_Own

He is being paranoid.

My dd went to girls brigade camp for years and was never brainwashed.
Yes they prayed, but it will take more than a week to brain wash her.

To be honest, if she isn't used to it, she will probably just find it weird.

The first year dd went, she came home and told be about all the friends she had made, and then about the praying before dinner. She wasn't overly bothered by it. It was just something that happened at camp.

My dd is now 15 and has just left GB as she started to find the whole thing boring.

suki1001

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Well if she goes, she may well have a very nice time, but you would also need to be prepared that she may come back a happy clappy born again christian.
Some might see this as harmless. It my experience it really wasn't in the longer term.

Did it happen to you?

suki1001

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

I got forced when I was at school (and around your daughter's age) to go on one of these Christian youth camps...I am not religious, never have been. They do lay it on a bit thick, but if your daughter wants to go, then let her. At 11 she should be getting old enough to make up her own mind about these things (I'd hope). Maybe just remind her that if she has any questions when she gets back, or wants some stuff clarified, etc, etc, then you're happy to sit down with her and talk her through it...after all, it's always good to get another perspective. I did this when i sat my A-Levels...I did religious studies, teacher was a baptist minister and she and I had many an in-depth discussion about religion, even though I am not remotely christian. I still learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I think she is old enough to make up her own mind - he doesn't though (god help him when she's older). He thinks she will be too influenced.

meritaten

she is 11 - she wants to go - and she is hardly joining the Moonies is she? so its happy clappy Christian..................not known for brainwashing or weird practices!
I don't see the harm myself.

rach13

I went on church holidays every summer and loved them and kinda got wrapped up in the moment when I was there but quickly forgot once I got home because my parents didn't bring us to church. But they were always a great way to do outdoor pursuits and go to interesting places and be around lots of 'caring' people - you know there was never any bullying or anything on those type of camps because it was simply not tolerated so everyone always ended up having loads of fun - christians and non-christians alike. Also at 11 they don't tend to come on too strong with spirituality - as I got older - maybe 16/17 it got a bit heavy and I think that's when I bowed out.