Comments on: Church camps closing

By: tank72

tank72 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:49:10 +0000

Demographics:
1) Mainstream denominations have all been in decline for years thus fewer kids, fewer contributors

2) Declining birthrates (particularly amongst sophisticated, urban mainstream denominations). ditto above

Economics:
in particular last years oil price rise coupled with this years general economy.

I never went to “Church Camp” – barely went to church and wasn’t a believer. The stories I heard though, about church camp shocked even me.
That said, my youngest two are leaving tomorrow morning, we’ll go get them in 5 days. They are pumped. If I’m not mistaken the genders swim at different times. That is probably more for benefit of the teenage staff than the kids.

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By: Fuzzyface

Fuzzyface — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:05:14 +0000

I do, though, usually wear shorts and short sleeves and flip-flops most of the time in the summer, but try to avoid much time in the sun. With flop-flops, the sun is so hot on the top of my feet during the middle of the day that I quickly look for shade.

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By: Fuzzyface

Fuzzyface — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:58:13 +0000

Here in the deserts of Arizona, when I am going to be out in the sun for a long time, I wear the appropriate long pants and long shirts to protect myself from the sun. Yes its over 110 degrees here. Its actually cooler for your skin if you wear the long clothes while you are in the sun. And a wide brimmed hat is important too, to protect your face. Those who don’t wear the long clothes and hat have a much higher instance of skin cancer.

The important thing is to drink plenty of water. We try to avoid the sun in the middle of the day if possible.

In the mountains, where it is cool (only getting up to the 80’s or 90’s), the damage to your skin is actually more likely since the atmosphere is thinner and, therefore, you get more UV rays. This damage is exaggerated since you don’t feel the heat of the sun so much and usually stay out in it more or don’t feel the need for the long clothes.

I’m sure also that at some camps (ours here are all in the mountains) you need the long clothes to protect from things like poison ivy and chiggers as well.

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By: Victoria

Victoria — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:28:02 +0000

RSD – I’m not a Calvinist, however you certainly could have worn shorts to ours, any color you like I have good friends who are Nazarene – One of my friends from school married her H.S. sweatheart, he is a Nazarene pastor – in fact my father performed their marriage ceremony -

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By: rsd

rsd — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:07:32 +0000

Victoria (19):

Church of the Nazarene. I’m sure that I could have worn shorts at a Calvinist church camp.

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By: endyblue

endyblue — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:36:57 +0000

My daughter and I just had a little giggle over the long pants rule (although I’m not dismissing how that was frustrating to the OP). She (our daughter) just returned from a 6-day camp where all the girls had to wear long skirts, long-sleeved shirts and head coverings — in 80-90 degree weather — and a great time was had by all. She was so glad she got to go, and loved everything about it.

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By: mumsee

mumsee — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:43:53 +0000

Just got back from picking up youngest son from Bible camp. Daughters went last week. All had a grand time. This is not something I did with first batch. I do not think they would have benefited from it. I do think these get something positive from it but not so much as I would like. It is good for them to see kids having good fun.

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By: Night Train

Night Train — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:13:03 +0000

I think Cheryl hit it on the head in #10. The decline in attendance started long before the economy went south; that was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. At any rate, this is just more evidence that Christianity as a social force is fading away.

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By: Fuzzyface

Fuzzyface — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:46:05 +0000

Bob,

No I don’t think that makes them second cousins. This is the way I understand it:

When cousins have kids, those kids are second cousins. And the kids are the first cousin, once removed from their parents cousin. So if you go down a generation from each of the cousins, it is second cousins. If you just go down a generation on one side it is still first cousins, but once removed. If you go down two generations on one side but none on the other it is first cousins, twice removed.

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By: arcadia

arcadia — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:40:49 +0000

Bob: Good for your cousin! Getting any kids out of the city, or away from their families for a couple of weeks is, IMHO, very important.

BTW, the Mennonites are, as far as I know, not exactly a poor denomination.

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