One difference I see around here is that sahms don't usually send their kids to the general kind of camp you're describing, where they swim, do crafts, run through the sprinkler, read, eat ice cream, etc. If you are home, you can do all that on your own schedule, and for less money. (The one exception I can think of is scout camp.) To me, the main difference between doing it at camp or at home is that doing it at home involves less structure and fewer kids.
Many sahms I know (and people like me who work but are home in the summer) send their kids to specialty camps like soccer, music, art, theater, whatever for a few weeks in the summer. Those camps usually accommodate both sah and woh kids by providing before and after care that is more general stuff like you describe.
Some kids/parents prefer more structure and some less. I know parents who work ft in the summer who hire sitters to provide their kids with a less structured summer, and I know parents and kids who prefer the kids be at camp all summer. I agree that as long as the kids are happy, it's all good.
It certainly seemed so, but then I think we got down to your opinion was based on a small sample of camps, the scout and the other one and of course personal preference.
I am very comfortable with my children not attending any VBS, and very happy myself to not involve myself in any VBS (or church for that matter). While your words about how fabulous the activity is are interesting, I am not interested in the activity. I never knocked anyone who did VBS, I jsut said I did not want my children going to one and then I said why, since you were incredulous that everyone didn't think they were wonderful.
My children are already involved in wonderful activities. Ones that your kids miss out on. Shrug.
Why in heaven's name would an atheist, who does not really care to have her children exposed to organized Christianity, want to involve herself in VBS? Nobody "knocked" VBS for those who are interested. I myself have been involved in VBS in one way or another, for about 45 years. My children attended VBS from age three to age eleven, and have been VBS volunteers every year since. I daresay I have more experience with VBS, in more roles, and in more denominations, than anyone else on the board.
And since I do have this experience, I think I can say with authority: 1) Yes, your children will be exposed to the teachings of Christianity and the Bible. 2) Yes, it is more than likely that the church offers VBS as part of its "outreach" program and hopes both to influence children positively and to gain new members from the experience. 3) Yes, there are many different denominations and many different approaches to Christianity and Christ's teachings, and one should not "assume" that all VBS experiences are the same.
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OMG,ROFL.
at our last house on the other side of town,one of DD1's BD parties included pony rides.
Thank you.
PumpkinAngel
One difference I see around here is that sahms don't usually send their kids to the general kind of camp you're describing, where they swim, do crafts, run through the sprinkler, read, eat ice cream, etc. If you are home, you can do all that on your own schedule, and for less money. (The one exception I can think of is scout camp.) To me, the main difference between doing it at camp or at home is that doing it at home involves less structure and fewer kids.
Many sahms I know (and people like me who work but are home in the summer) send their kids to specialty camps like soccer, music, art, theater, whatever for a few weeks in the summer. Those camps usually accommodate both sah and woh kids by providing before and after care that is more general stuff like you describe.
Some kids/parents prefer more structure and some less. I know parents who work ft in the summer who hire sitters to provide their kids with a less structured summer, and I know parents and kids who prefer the kids be at camp all summer. I agree that as long as the kids are happy, it's all good.
It certainly seemed so, but then I think we got down to your opinion was based on a small sample of camps, the scout and the other one and of course personal preference.
PumpkinAngel
Not a stretch at all.
I am very comfortable with my children not attending any VBS, and very happy myself to not involve myself in any VBS (or church for that matter). While your words about how fabulous the activity is are interesting, I am not interested in the activity. I never knocked anyone who did VBS, I jsut said I did not want my children going to one and then I said why, since you were incredulous that everyone didn't think they were wonderful.
My children are already involved in wonderful activities. Ones that your kids miss out on. Shrug.
Why in heaven's name would an atheist, who does not really care to have her children exposed to organized Christianity, want to involve herself in VBS? Nobody "knocked" VBS for those who are interested. I myself have been involved in VBS in one way or another, for about 45 years. My children attended VBS from age three to age eleven, and have been VBS volunteers every year since. I daresay I have more experience with VBS, in more roles, and in more denominations, than anyone else on the board.
And since I do have this experience, I think I can say with authority:
1) Yes, your children will be exposed to the teachings of Christianity and the Bible.
2) Yes, it is more than likely that the church offers VBS as part of its "outreach" program and hopes both to influence children positively and to gain new members from the experience.
3) Yes, there are many different denominations and many different approaches to Christianity and Christ's teachings, and one should not "assume" that all VBS experiences are the same.
It is all good,
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