Pink Poogle Toy Forum

Oddly... I just saw a program on TV about this today. Those boot camp places freak me out.

*Shakes head*
Having worked at a camp... for you know *counts* six years, and one of them having been a Christian camp (AND A DARN GOOD ONE, coming from me that should mean something... all things considered), things like this disturb me. People that can do that, staff that can participate and allow that... it's disgusting and frankly painful to read about.

Just be glad you weren't wearing a halter top.

That's hilarious. My church camp (which I attended for 8 years as a camper and one year as a Junior Counselor) allowed girls to wear bikinis at the pool, and twice a week during special evening learning sessions had sex talks with the teens who wished to attend them. And while I believe abstinence was stressed (I was too shy/awkward to attend), I do think they covered the gambit on the situation. The counselors that did that particular talk had 'lived it up' in their teen and college years.

On the other hand, and to get back on topic, teasing was quite common there. Often the brunt of this was on the handful of campers who were home-schooled and had a very difficult time interacting in social situations. I'm not saying all home-schoolers have these difficulties, I've met a few that haven't, but at this camp they were the most likely to be picked on. However, it wasn't severe, and it was usually by the kids who went there just to see old friends or were forced by their parents because they were getting in trouble back home. Plus, there were always the handful of campers who would take in those who were teased, so they never felt fully shunned. Not to say that justifies what was done, but at least it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

It really doesn't surprise me that these sort of things can occur at Christian camps. Kids are kids, regardless of their religious upbrining. It's quite likely that the bully at school attends church at least once a month, and just because they're attending a special Christian camp, that isn't going to change their actions in many cases. Then there are those who are teased at home and decide to turn their fortunes when they arrive somewhere new where no one knows their 'real self', and thus someone who is bullied at school might possibly become a bit of a bully or just a snob while at camp.

It's sickening to know that this has happened, and I'm glad the child told his parents and that they've put a lawsuit in motion. You can't help but wonder how many times this has happened to other campers who were so emotionally scarred that they didn't tell their parents, and thus nothing was done to the perpetrators.

Oh my God. That is absolutely sickening. It's disgraceful. He will remember this for the rest of his life. I was bullied at school and although it's nothing compared to what he went through, it will remain with me for the rest of my life. I really feel for him and I hope that he pulls through this the best he can.

As for the bullies, they can go and die for all I care. They're not worth anything. I'd gladly put each one through what they put the boy through. See how they liked it.

Even though people banter on about how bullies have "emotional issues", I wholeheartedly agree with you. I could care less what you're going through. There's absolutely no excuse for abusing someone else that way.

Thats terrible...but I hope you aren't suggesting that all Christian camps or Christian-related things are bad? I'm Catholic and have been in private school for 8 years and have been to a Catholic camp; I didn't like it at first because I was homesick, but other than that it was quite fun, and yes, humane.

...But extreme Christianity scares me. That's just terrible and hypocritical. They can't possibly think that they are 'saviors' for what they are doing to the children?

Like I said, it only grabs your attention because it's "not supposed to happen at the hands of Christians." But to assume that all Christians are hateful and violent is using exceptions to make rules, and assuming that all Christians are stand-up people is naive.

There are good people at every position in the theological spectrum in every religion. There are also bad people. Regardless of religion or motives, that's how it will always be.

I don't see what's so surprising about devilish treatment at a Christian camp. I've read numerous articles of abusive Christian clubs and such throughout the many months of me keeping in-touch with the events through the newspaper and online sources. The certain religious bend does not make it any less susceptible to human incompetence (as the Catholic Church abuse scandal and gay "correction" camps shows us).