Why do Christian sleep away camps cost so much less than non-christian ones?

[Anonymous]

Why do Christian sleep away camps cost so much less than non-christian ones? Are they subsidized by churches? Are thy just not as good? I'm trying to understand. I'm amazed at the price differences.

[Anonymous]

They're subsidized by the church, have some volunteer labor for maintenance and programming, and include Christian content. It's an outreach effort.

[Anonymous]

I think most Christian churches consider things like camp as part of their youth ministries.

Catholic schools, youth conferences, vacation bible schools etc are often partly subsidized by the parish or diocese for active parishoners.

I am sure protestant churches are the same.

Youth ministries are very important in most churches.

[Anonymous]

Makes sense. I'm all for it.

[Anonymous]

The Christian sleepaway camp my child attended was $100 a week. It was heavily subsidized by that domination (which wasn't ours), the facilities were retreat camps used Fall thru Spring by church leadership and congregations, much of the equipment and many supplies were donated by business owners who belonged to that denomination, and only two staff at our location drew a salary (the rest volunteered as a ministry). Even the nurses were church members who worked their vacations.

Overall, it had nicer amenities than secular camps that we've paid $400+ dollars for.

My daughter did two sessions a summer for 5 years and she wasn't pressured to convert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Christian sleepaway camp my child attended was $100 a week. It was heavily subsidized by that domination (which wasn't ours), the facilities were retreat camps used Fall thru Spring by church leadership and congregations, much of the equipment and many supplies were donated by business owners who belonged to that denomination, and only two staff at our location drew a salary (the rest volunteered as a ministry). Even the nurses were church members who worked their vacations.

Overall, it had nicer amenities than secular camps that we've paid $400+ dollars for.

My daughter did two sessions a summer for 5 years and she wasn't pressured to convert.

Do you mind sharing the name?

[Anonymous]

Many of them are also more rustic than some other camps out there and without some of the bells and whistles certain camps have. That doesn't make them worse (in some ways it might make them better than a camp that overly pampers), but you may not be exactly comparing apples to apples with costs.

[Anonymous]

I went to a Christian summer camp growing up and LOVED it. Went to two different ones- with one being much more religious. One had prayers for every meal, lots of religious songs, and one larger religious ceremony- similar to a weekly church program. The more religious one had all that plus they put on the passion play every week with a candlelit vigil. But, as a kid, I just love all the rustic fun camp activities.

I grew up in a moderately religious household. Camp was neutral. It didn't make me more religious but it certainly didn't make me less.

[Anonymous]

I don't care how expensive it is, I will never send my kid to a Christian camp.

[Anonymous]

I'm all for Christian camp. I went to one growing up and loved it. The ones I went to were not rustic at all. Air conditioned dormitories with electricity and hot showers, farm to table food. My kids will absolutely go to a Christian camp. We go to church every Sunday. Why not!

[Anonymous]

If you are Christian, absolutely go for it. There's nothing wrong with a Christian camp, as long as it aligns with your beliefs. For my atheist kids, religious songs and church services and a passion play would all be too much.

[Anonymous]

Because sometimes the kids end up paying in other currencies, especially if it's a Catholic church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Christian sleepaway camp my child attended was $100 a week. It was heavily subsidized by that domination (which wasn't ours), the facilities were retreat camps used Fall thru Spring by church leadership and congregations, much of the equipment and many supplies were donated by business owners who belonged to that denomination, and only two staff at our location drew a salary (the rest volunteered as a ministry). Even the nurses were church members who worked their vacations.

Overall, it had nicer amenities than secular camps that we've paid $400+ dollars for.

My daughter did two sessions a summer for 5 years and she wasn't pressured to convert.

Do you mind sharing the name?

Would also appreciate knowing the name. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

My husband and I were raised Catholic and ate now not religious. We are going to send our son to a Christian camp so he can learn something about Christianity. So much of classical literature and even politics in this country refer to biblical themes. I think the camp is also cheaper because the camp property is owned by the church so they pay no property tax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I were raised Catholic and ate now not religious. We are going to send our son to a Christian camp so he can learn something about Christianity.

He'll come back with the answer: "yeah it's boring and lame."