I dont know. Respectful of what, your beliefs?

I don't think it is wise to be so antagonistic and skeptical about them, for building a wall before you actually know or hear any preaching is dangerous. Just keep an open mind, and you will be a better person for hearing them out and making the best out of the situation.

I won't go into my personal thoughts here because they are against religion and especially against religion being "forced" on kids too young to grasp the full commitment to religion and I don't want to get into another one of those debates with my fellow christian ABers tonight but I would say before you go of to this camp watch the movie "Jesus Camp" and make your own decisions. if you can't find the movie in your local movie rental place, it is on youtube divided into parts, it should be easy to find on there.

Everyone needs some regular heavy preaching, especially young kids. Hopefully you'll get saved that week. Hallelujah!

I'm sure they're gonna be talkin' 'bout Jesus. It's a Christian camp for Christ's sake (pun definitely intended). Maybe check their website. Look for photos that show huge crosses etc...lol. I'm sure there'll be arts and crafts that have a religious aspect to them. I worked doing maintenance at a camp for a bit, and I didn't really think it was religious or anything, untill all the new councellors arrives and I had to eat with them and we had to pray before every meal, and sing Jesus songs. it was weird. the girls were hot though. If anything, you getting out of the house for a bit. Use it as a fact-finding mission and don't get brainwashed. Just an opinion folks, pls don't downrate.

pretend you are a bobble head doll-be polite-dont argue-just know that if you are wrong and are a good person anyway-god/christ/the whole team will forgive your questioning and let you in to the hopefully good spot.good luck kiddo

I do not know exactly what they will do. It's hard for me to guess just how fundamental the will be, but I can assure you there won't be any lack of preaching. I had to go through months and months of Christian summer camps in my childhood, and there was plenty of preaching there. But no matter what happens, I do know that most of that week will be a waste of your time.

It depends on the camp. Really, you have two things before you. If you get off lucky, it's a very lax camp where you can do most anything - I have a friend, a very strong Athiest, who loves going to a Jesus Camp since all they do is screw around and do, well... unchristian things. However, if it is one of those heavy precahing camps, then, well... Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here!

:(

Really John, your parents are doing this or you are just pulling our leg to get responses? You are no little kid, you are in your later teens and I can see you running off. I was thinking about BAM yesterday and then I thought about you. Have you heard from her at all?

I'd be expecting some kind of attempt at endoctrination. Good suggestion in prev answer re rent Jesus Camp. Remain respectful but silent until the truth is revealed!

It's not a Christian Summer Camp, it's a 'We're going to do all we can to convert you before you leave' camp.... Watch out...

how about: just relax and have a good time~don't over-think everthing and just keep an open mind~you are who you are and that's a respectful thing......but other's can be respected for their opinions too! just chill and have fun...... :)

Go into it with a good attitude and you'll be fine. If you try to rub in their faces that you're an atheist and don't believe a word of it, they'll go heavy on you and make life unpleasant. If you just listen, the worst that happens is you learn more about religion and understand them a bit better. Honestly though, most camps are more about having fun and doing camp things than religious indoctrination.

You may find the attitude is closer to tolerance with a touch of condescension, if my daughter's experience is any indicator. (She wanted to go because her best friend was going.) I doubt you will be forced to attend any services. It's likely people will pray for you, however.

That sucks. I believe that real freedom includes freedom from religion. Isn't there a secular summer camp they can send you to? Perhaps you can smuggle in an iPod or some other type of head set that you can surreptitiously wear in case you are forced to attend any sermons or whatnot.

I went to a cristian summer camp 3 years in a row. Now unbelievers their who had alot of fun. We did an hour chapel in he morning. an hour devotional in te afternoon. The rest was fun and games. you will be fine:) Have fun.

I had the same thing happen to me, and it was nothing but preaching, and everything church, sans the church

If you are truly an athiest, you won't have a problem. You just might learn something. I'm not going to tell you to change, or take them to heart. Just be open minded. Don't worry about "agonizingly heavy preaching." I don't know many people who have the backbone to do that anymore. However, if you are an athiest of the kind our society hails today, then you are in for a rough week. Too many people call themselves athiests aren't. They are weaklings who need to change others because Christianity scares them inside out. They feel they have to fight all religions on all fronts. They are really insecure cowards. It's sad, really. Only you can decide which you will be. Believe there is no God, and stick by it no matter what, or be afraid of the mention of God and ruin your life with it.

I used to work in a church camp over the summer, and it varied depending on the group. Some were very evangelical and "preachy" and some were fun camps with a optional religious services, that people could choose not to attend. One possible way to get out of the preachy parts would be to volunteer to help the camp crew with their duties and enjoy the rest.

Hopefully, the camp is an actual Christian camp so you see what the true belief and lifestyle is, not just some group that is trying to shove religion down your throat. In the Bible, it is said to not waste pearls on pigs. I haven't seen the Jesus Camp movie, but I have seen some highlights of it. Christianity isn't about emotions, yelling, screaming, and crying to prove you're a Christian. You will clearly see how a true Christian is. Hopefully, you return with a positive message.

Depends on the 'religion' involved. Most religious summer camps are all about the 'social' and the 'fun stuff'..not about preaching. Now, as far as worrying about your physical safety...that's something that I would be checking into BEFORE I went.

I would think that if they say they are Respectful, they should be. My advice to you would be to only listen to those who are if you are uncomfortable with those who seem to not listen to you and just want to hear themselves be heard no matter what their message. Remember though, a Christian camp for young people exists for the purpose of evangelizing young people or helping those who are already Christians to enjoy God's creation, do fun things and grow in their walk with God. Do you feel your parents, if they are the ones sending you to this camp, are respectful of you? Also, I will say, true Christians WILL respect your right to remain an atheist, as will God, but they will NOT respect your beliefs. I hope you are old enough to understand what I have shared here. I hope you will open up a little bit around someone there you may begin to trust. If it is a good Christian camp, there may be preaching, yes. If this is so, I truly hope you do not find it agonizing. Else, I might wonder what your parents are involved in.

i think the will be as respectful to u as u are to them and the rules.. be respectful...maybe thats why ur being shipped off, to learn how to be more respectful. it will be ,what U ,make it..agonizing or tolerable:)justme

My camp experience was very busy all day. We had worship in the mornings the rest of the day was fun. You will probably enjoy some of it and hate the same parts everyone else does. Most kid don't like worship.

You have my sympathy - it sounds absolutely brutal. I think you need to start formulating an escape plan (code name: Operation Liberty) immediately so that you can hit the ground running once the coach drops you off at the prison .. I mean the camp gates. . Try Google Earth to see if there is a satellite image available to look at. If so, study the surrounding area to find the nearest road or railway line. Wait till nightfall on the first night and then make your bid for freedom. Send me the details and I will arrange to have somebody leave a disguise, a false ID, some cash and a gun in a package at a convenient location. . With any luck they will not notice that you've gone until morning roll call which should give you maybe 8 or 9 hours clear head start. If possible try to travel along shallow river or creek beds as much as you can, this will help to disguise your scent and throw the dogs off your trail. Stay away from built up or populated areas as much as you can until you have crossed the state line - the nearby towns will probably be full of bible thumpers that would be only too happy to rat you out to the camp commandant and once you're caught you could be in for a savage baptising at best and at worst a 48 hour one to one preaching session with one of their scriptural torture specialists. . Best wishes & may God be with you.

It should be pretty heavy. Maybe you could look at it another way, like a really good opportunity to hone your debating skills. ;) See how many people you can get to see your point of view. lol.

I know nothing of these camps but I got out a dvd documentary called "Jesus Camp" about a month ago. Lots of preaching, shouting, crying, people "talking in tongues" the same things said over and over. To me it looked like a form of brainwashing. I would never send a child to any religious camp. Good luck to you. You will certainly need it.

It really does depend. I don't know what denomination the camp is and where they stand spiritually. I just watched the trailers for Jesus camp. It's horrendous. The Bible teaches that Christians are to have self-control. At that camp there's kids falling to the floor and behaving ridiculously. To top that, they claim that it's the Holy Spirit doing that. Many devieve the world nowadays. It's quite sad. But, I have been to a Christian camp many times. I'm baptist and we exercise self-control haha ;) I loved every moment of it. I met many knew people and the sermons are great. It's far from agonising. If you aren't used to that, it's fine. There are many different activities throughout the day. I'll say it's pretty cool. But curoius of what denomination it is and what church. thanks :)

See this as an experience where your beliefs will be tested, which is a good experience for a young person or an adult. It depends on where you are going, but when one is young, it's a good thing to be in environments where your personal beliefs are challenged.   I went through middle school, high school, and university biology classes being "forced" to learn evolutionary theory - which I didn't believe to be historical. Nonetheless, I learned the theory well enough to explain it and complete the courses. I can argue for or against it. It didn't hurt me in the least.

It depends, are you planning on being respectful or one of those arrogant, "you are all idiots I know more than you" type atheists. People, even Christians tend to treat you the way they are being treated. You say it is a Young Life camp. You will enjoy it. They aren't overly preachy and conservative. The girls wear short shorts and tank tops, the camp councilors are are young fun college age students. I think you will get the opportunity to see young Christians loving God with out all of the stereostype evolved. It might open your eyes a little. People keep bringing up the Jesus Camp movie. If you watch it keep in mind that the movie was produced in Hollywood where there inclination is to never show a Christian in a good light. Remember too that the people in that movie are Pentecostal and you will not be going to a place like that. I have been a Christian youth worker for 25 years and even Christian teenagers and some of the adults (me) don't like going to the preaching, but in my experience that is a very small percentage of the days activities, you can handle it, just don't be a butt hole about it and things will be fine.

Don't drink the Kool-Aid.

If you aren't truly seeking the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, you won't find Him, so not to worry. Enjoy yourself!

Relax and enjoy camp. maybe learn something. How did camp turn out?

How was camp? Did you get tarred and feathered? Was it sponsored by a certain religion?

I would probably run off from the camp or do everything I can to be kicked out. PS: Yes, you can expect a week of heavy preaching. Take several books or video games.