Great Press for Camp Quest

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Guest Contributor

The Columbus Dispatch has an excellent article about Camp Quest, the summer camp for children of atheist parents:

The camp director’s housekeeping lecture met the usual disinterest from the dining hall full of sweaty, bug-bitten kids.

…

But August Brunsman finished his cleaning directive with a so-subtle-the-kids-probably-missed-it pun that made clear that Camp Quest is not the usual summer offering.

“Remember,” he said, a slight grin crossing his face, “cleanliness is next to godlessness.”

…

Started in 1996, Camp Quest emphasizes critical thinking and the scientific method. Counselors lead philosophical discussions about topics such as the nature of happiness.

Consideration for others is a key component of the “Rational Rules for Living,” posted on the wall of the dining hall at the 4-H camp where Camp Quest Ohio rented space.

Rule No. 1: “Remember that everybody is here to have a good time. Respect all people, whatever their beliefs, which you encounter while you are here.”

Amanda Metskas, the director of CQ, is also featured in a nice video on the newspaper’s website explaining what goes on at the camp:

I wish I had known about these camps when I was that age… the kids I’ve spoken to who have attended Camp Quest at any of its locations have had nothing but wonderful things to say about it. They can’t wait till the next summer when they can go back again.

(Thanks to Carrie for the link!)

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  • Karen

    Awesome :) I’ve been hearing about it all day. My beautiful daughter is @1:31 in the striped shirt :)

    Thanks for posting!

  • WayBeyondSoccerMom

    My two teenagers are heading to Camp Quest Smoky Mountains in a few weeks, back for their 4th year at a Camp Quest. They can’t wait to return.

  • Ughable

    DOUBLE PIGGY BAAAAAAACK!!!!

    so awesome :’)

  • Hitch

    Looks awesome fun.

  • TychaBrahe

    Rule No. 1: “Remember that everybody is here to have a good time. Respect all people, whatever their beliefs, which you encounter while you are here.”

    Shouldn’t that be who you encounter?

  • muggle

    They didn’t exist until I was almost 40!

  • http://miketheinfidel.blogspot.com/ MikeTheInfidel

    The article has an unfortunate title and subtitle…

    Kids wrestle with religion at Camp Quest
    Sleep-away camp offers usual summer fun with nonbeliever’s twist

    Considering that their first rule talks about respecting everybody regardless of belief, and that it is explicitly not an atheist-only camp, you’d think they’d give it a more appropriate introduction. Most people who see this in the newspaper will see that title and get primed to react to the article in religion-defending mode, regardless of what it actually says.

    All that aside, I wish I’d been to one of these when I was a kid. Could’ve saved me from years of fundie indoctrination and deconversion…

  • littlejohn

    The better news was that this was picked up by AP, which means it was available to virtually every mainstream newspaper in America.
    It ran this morning, for example, in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

  • Colt

    I wish my parents had sent me to Camp Quest! Unfortunately I didn’t “come out” as atheist until I was 13–after my last year of summer camp …

  • R9

    “Camp Quest”, is that a Leisure Suit Larry sequel?

  • inmyhead9

    I wish that this camp was around when I was a kid in Ohio. I went to YMCA Camp Kern’s Archeology camp for 5 years as a kid. It was a YMCA camp, but I honestly don’t remember any prayers or religious stuff. YAY for great summer camps that are unique and educational!!

  • inmyhead9

    Oh, I guess that I was 14 when this camp started. Man, I could have gone. I hope it is around in 10 years when my kids can go. :D