Atheist And Agnostic Summer Camp Launches In Kansas City

[rug]

Camp Quest campers take on high ropes course. Credit Alex Smith / KCUR

Sun July 21, 2013,
4:37 pm By Alex Smith

Every summer, young people in the area can attend camps for everything from pottery to ecology to modeling. And this year, there’s a new place for parents to send kids. It’s a secular summer camp with a focus on science and critical thinking.

A camp like any other

On the first morning of camp, a handful of young teens psyche themselves up to scale a high ropes course 30 feet off the ground. One by one, the campers climb up to the ropes. Some race across the obstacles, while others freeze up, terrified by the heights. Down on the ground, camp counselors cheer them on. Some conquer the course in 10 minutes, others take an hour, but in the end, they all scream with exhilaration as they fly down the long zip line at the end.

In early July, 20 campers spent five days and four nights at the first-ever Camp Quest KC.

They canoed in a lake, swam in the pool, went fishing – basically doing everything kids do at camps everywhere. But Camp Quest KC isn’t a YMCA or Scout camp. It’s designed for kids from atheist, agnostic or freethought backgrounds.

http://www.kcur.org/post/atheist-and-agnostic-summer-camp-launches-kansas-city

10:21 audio at link.

[TlalocW]

1. Heard during the zip-lining

Counselor: Okay, Billy, your turn. Here you go! *push*
Billy: AIIIIIEEEEE! Oh, God, this is scary!
Counselor: BILLY!
Billy: Sorrrrrry! AIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TlalocW

[cbayer]

4. Funny!

[SheilaT]

2. The Kansas City area has a small

but vital and active group of atheists/agnostics.

There are also plenty of secular camps there, so a specifically atheist/agnostic camp hardly feels necessary to me. Other parents will disagree, I know. But my point is, there are LOTS of summer activities that aren't run by churches.

[cbayer]

3. I saw that one of our DU members sent his child to one of these and

they had a great experience.

I went to church camps. I don't remember there being much religion attached to it, but there might have been.

Such a great experience. I am glad there are alternatives for kids not affiliated with a religion.

[okasha]

5. Oi. Somebody's mommy

didn't read the "What to Bring" list.