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Archives
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AN EARLY WARNING Children’s
Summer Camps, Soft Trends and New Age Concepts
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recent article in the Wall Street Journal revealed that across the country
dramatic changes are being subtly being introduced into children’s
lives with new activities such as “massages, yoga classes and occasional
trips to the mall.” The article states that the traditional hard bunks, character building, cold lake swims and making fires without matches are being quietly discarded in favor of a “crop of kinder, gentler programs”, where “kids can work on their karma and learn how to relax instead of how to compete.” New Age guru Deepak Chopra is behind such programs on the West Coast where children play with “celestial hula-hoops filled with healing crystals.” In the Northeast, one camp actually includes a “wellness program” that includes “yoga, meditation and nutrition courses.” According to the article, even hard-core sports camps “are starting to soften their acts”, using “meditation and yoga in warm-up and cool-down exercises.” |
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REASONS
FOR CAMP CHANGES
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| Why the changes? The news reporter perceptively noted that “camps are getting softer…partly because today’s kids are getting softer. Many [children, YP] spend more time “plugged into television and computers and video games instead of running around outdoors”. |
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THE
BASIS FOR CONCERN
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| Why the FD editor’s concern? While most Christian parents probably do not send their children to secular camps, if history holds true, this new trend will possibly soon begin infiltrating professing Christian camps on a GRADUAL modified scale. What should be the response of discerning believers? The writer suggests the following actions: |
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SOME
SUGGESTED ACTIONS
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| 1.
Christian parents should never send their children to a
secular camp. Such an act is an open invitation to the devil, plus courting
potential disaster for the child and the entire family. 2. When/if parents enroll children in a Christian camp, request the daily schedule. Inquire frankly, but graciously, with camp officials to see if the camp curriculum is moving towards a “softer” program. Obtain a daily schedule so that you can know in advance what your child will be doing during the week. If you have any doubts, clarify them before sending your child/children. 3. At home. to counter the soft trends, involve your children in enjoyable wholesome outdoor competitive activities. In loving discipline, require daily chores [bed-making, room cleaning, dish-washing, yard work, etc.], along with appropriate incentives. PS: In the next FD issue [delayed article!], the writer is penning an article entitled “Fundamentalism’s Great Battle: The World Inside the Living Room.” |
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| April – May 2004 The Fundamentalist Digest; Permission granted for reprint, so long as proper credit is given. The above item is a sample of the numerous timely articles that are contained in the bi-monthly issues of The Fundamentalist Digest. |
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