Camp Baptisms

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton
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7:48p, 6/1/24
I've seen a few friends of mine posting about their children getting baptized at camp. I talked to one of the parents about it and they were a little frustrated. They aren't church members and their child was invited to the camp by a friend, so they let them go. The parents weren't upset but were a little frustrated that they couldn't talk to their child about their child's commitment or be part of the conversation.

Should these baptisms wait until the child has had a chance to talk with their parents?
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File5
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In reply to Ghost of Andrew Eaton • 7:54p, 6/1/24
AG
Bad, BAD bull right here. Absolutely should be involved IMO. Can't make eternal decisions for other people kids when the parents obviously have agency in the matter.
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Catag94
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In reply to File5 • 8:57p, 6/1/24
AG
File5 said:
Bad, BAD bull right here. Absolutely should be involved IMO. Can't make eternal decisions for other people kids when the parents obviously have agency in the matter.


Agreed. I'm am curious the ages (not matter if minors) but curious.
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Ghost of Andrew Eaton
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In reply to Catag94 • 9:38p, 6/1/24
Rising freshman.
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Catag94
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9:44p, 6/1/24
AG
Regardless, parents should be involved. Even if kids profess a belief at camp, there is no need to hurry and baptize them there. They can get back home and visit with parents.
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PabloSerna
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10:16p, 6/1/24
AG
Are Catholics the only ones that have godparents?
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c-jags
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11:54p, 6/1/24
We go to Pine Cove (family camp) and they have baptisms at the end of the week.

Usually very few of them, but I can't say I'm disappointed when there isn't one. Not that it's unimportant (it's very important) but I feel like it's something that should be done with your community of believers as opposed to a week in the summer with people you see once a year.

Doing it at camp without parents' knowledge/approval just seems unnecessarily antagonistic. If your parents aren't Christian and opposed to it, I don't feel like that should be a barrier, but there's better ways to navigate it.

ETA: at PC for family camp, a parent is ALWAYS involved. I won't pretend like everyone we're there with is a Christian.

One of my son's friends was raised in a family I wouldn't consider Christian and came to faith outside of them. She was baptized at our church and attends despite her family's different beliefs. They were indifferent but if they had been opposed it would have been an interesting navigation
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Catag94
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In reply to c-jags • 11:58p, 6/1/24
AG
Totally agree with this approach.
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Bob Lee
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2:54p, 6/2/24
AG
My wife's sister and her husband (Catholic) let my nephews go to a Baptist summer camp with their friends. I warned them that they'd want them to be baptized there, so they sat them down and explained that they were already baptized, so it's unnecessary and not to do it. I went to one myself when I was in junior high which is why I knew to tell them. I personally would not allow my children to go to one.
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Ghost of Andrew Eaton
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In reply to Bob Lee • 8:16p, 6/2/24
Bob Lee said:
My wife's sister and her husband (Catholic) let my nephews go to a Baptist summer camp with their friends. I warned them that they'd want them to be baptized there, so they sat them down and explained that they were already baptized, so it's unnecessary and not to do it. I went to one myself when I was in junior high which is why I knew to tell them. I personally would not allow my children to go to one.
This was my experience growing up. I was part of the Disciples of Christ Church but also went to a Baptist camp to hang out with my friends. Even though I was already baptized, they once pushed me to get baptized at their camp. At the time I didn't think anything of it and casually mentioned it to my Pops but he was pissed. In his words, he "escaped the Baptist church" and he hated when they pulled that sort of stuff.
If you say you hate the state of politics in this nation and you don't get involved in it, you obviously don't hate the state of politics in this nation.
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Catag94
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In reply to Ghost of Andrew Eaton • 12:07a, 6/3/24
AG
Absolutely should not be happening.
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BluHorseShu
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In reply to Ghost of Andrew Eaton • 3:47p, 6/3/24
AG
Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:
I've seen a few friends of mine posting about their children getting baptized at camp. I talked to one of the parents about it and they were a little frustrated. They aren't church members and their child was invited to the camp by a friend, so they let them go. The parents weren't upset but were a little frustrated that they couldn't talk to their child about their child's commitment or be part of the conversation.

Should these baptisms wait until the child has had a chance to talk with their parents?
This happened to my nephews, 12 and 14 I think. On one hand I'm glad they are involved with a Christian group of kids...but on the other...I'm not sure they've been to sunday school or really understood at their age their commitment. I have seen it where your friends invite you to 'camp' and you get caught up in the religious traditions and do what your friends are doing.

I would just want the parents to be aware and to have had a conversation. Just baptizing a kid at that age and claiming 'We got another win!', falls short of bringing people to the faith. Its the follow up education that is just as important.

I was baptized in the SBC when I was 14 but I had discerned for a while, had been going to church and bible studies and I felt the calling.

But I knew some who viewed it as a once and done...."Woohoo, I've got my ticket to heaven" and never had any follow up.
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10andBOUNCE
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4:54p, 6/3/24
AG
Just my two cents but I think these Christian camps can be misleading youth and adults to "faith". I think others on here have already alluded to it.

These camps are often hyper spiritual and emotional - focusing more on people themselves versus focusing on Christ and his redemptive work. Often void of sound teaching doctrine in place of what is entertaining and fun. When you go back to your life, you realize the Christian walk is hard - its not all fun and games all the time. So people might check out until the next camp high they can get.

I have been interested in some of the family camps, but I will probably be pretty cautious about any youth camps in our future.

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The System
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In reply to 10andBOUNCE • 12:55p, 6/5/24
AG
Yeah, those Baptist summer camps should be outlawed. How dare anyone try to show kids/teens a different path in this dark world. We really need more trans camps, pride camps, and maybe some atheistic science camps.

For the record, I don't support camp baptisms. Must be a relative new thing, because I went to youth camps every summer (southern Baptist) all over the country and that wasn't a thing. Many many kids/teens made decisions of faith, but never saw a baptism.
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BluHorseShu
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In reply to The System • 1:34p, 6/5/24
AG
The System said:
Yeah, those Baptist summer camps should be outlawed. How dare anyone try to show kids/teens a different path in this dark world. We really need more trans camps, pride camps, and maybe some atheistic science camps.

For the record, I don't support camp baptisms. Must be a relative new thing, because I went to youth camps every summer (southern Baptist) all over the country and that wasn't a thing. Many many kids/teens made decisions of faith, but never saw a baptism.
Not sure if its a new thing. I experienced it as a SB in the 80's but that's just my anecdotal experience...and I was 14. I think its great for kids to got to these camps but its a fine line between telling them about Christ and salvation and having kids make a heart felt decision of their own accord or feeling like they have to because they're seeing all of their friends there with them do it. I think either way, its the follow up after camp that is important so they keep their journey going.

BTW, did someone mention those other path's here? I think most if not all agree with the value Christian camps hold, especially in todays society. We all still have to be vigilant when we send our kids off. Even Kanakuk had its dark time but they made it through.
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The System
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In reply to BluHorseShu • 4:23p, 6/5/24
AG
No, I don't believe other paths/camps were mentioned prior to me being a smart as$. But with all the evil and darkness in society, it's just surprising that camp baptism is what's getting some of your panties knotted up.

Yeah teens are fickle. Yeah there are probably many that make a decision of faith or baptism that are caught up in the moment, following their friends, or are on a camp "high". But I also believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. And for many of these youth, a seed is planted that the Holy Spirit will water. I believe that is way more important than worrying about who's offended by a baptism or what kid just did it because his friends did.

I think most non-believers probably wouldn't lose their minds that their kid made a faith decision at camp. And most believers would talk to and prepare their kids if they are sending them to a camp of a different denomination or faith.

I love that kids are going to camp. My nephew is a counselor at Pine Cove. It's refreshing to see a new generation of youth and young adults on fire for the Lord, whether it's a camp high or not.
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10andBOUNCE
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In reply to The System • 4:54p, 6/5/24
AG
The System said:
No, I don't believe other paths/camps were mentioned prior to me being a smart as$. But with all the evil and darkness in society, it's just surprising that camp baptism is what's getting some of your panties knotted up.

Yeah teens are fickle. Yeah there are probably many that make a decision of faith or baptism that are caught up in the moment, following their friends, or are on a camp "high". But I also believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. And for many of these youth, a seed is planted that the Holy Spirit will water. I believe that is way more important than worrying about who's offended by a baptism or what kid just did it because his friends did.

I think most non-believers probably wouldn't lose their minds that their kid made a faith decision at camp. And most believers would talk to and prepare their kids if they are sending them to a camp of a different denomination or faith.

I love that kids are going to camp. My nephew is a counselor at Pine Cove. It's refreshing to see a new generation of youth and young adults on fire for the Lord, whether it's a camp high or not.
I think being improperly baptized is worth getting attention. It may not take on the appearance of "evil" as we have come to think of it, but no doubt the devil is more than happy to have youth being baptized who don't understand. This can obviously happen in a camp or even within a family who is truly trying to disciple their children well, but I do not think it is something to dismiss.

Same with camp highs -it's like a sugar high or other highs we get in life. It doesn't last. I think camps have had a profound impact on some - perhaps starting a faith journey. But I think where they may lack is the follow up for youth that may not have the infrastructure already in place to cultivate their new found faith.
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UTExan
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In reply to Ghost of Andrew Eaton • 7:03p, 6/5/24
Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:
I've seen a few friends of mine posting about their children getting baptized at camp. I talked to one of the parents about it and they were a little frustrated. They aren't church members and their child was invited to the camp by a friend, so they let them go. The parents weren't upset but were a little frustrated that they couldn't talk to their child about their child's commitment or be part of the conversation.

Should these baptisms wait until the child has had a chance to talk with their parents?

Yes.
“If you’re going to have crime it should at least be organized crime”
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Martin Q. Blank
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8:52a, 6/6/24
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, baptisms should be done by the minister at your local church, not a counselor at a parachurch organization.
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10andBOUNCE
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9:39a, 6/6/24
AG
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swimmerbabe11
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2:50p, 6/6/24
If a parent discussed this with a camp counselor/manager before the camp session began, do you think they'd actually honor it?


I dunno, this is why my parents didn't allow me to go to other denomination camps...that and I probably would have gotten sent home for not being very tactful in my disagreement on the significance of baptism.
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Ghost of Andrew Eaton
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In reply to The System • 4:04p, 6/6/24
Just because it's being discussed doesn't mean anyone is angry or upset by it.
If you say you hate the state of politics in this nation and you don't get involved in it, you obviously don't hate the state of politics in this nation.
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powerbelly
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In reply to swimmerbabe11 • 4:33p, 6/6/24
AG
swimmerbabe11 said:
If a parent discussed this with a camp counselor/manager before the camp session began, do you think they'd actually honor it?


I dunno, this is why my parents didn't allow me to go to other denomination camps...that and I probably would have gotten sent home for not being very tactful in my disagreement on the significance of baptism.
I grew up LCMS and was more likely to get kicked out for explaining why I didn't need another baptism than I was to let them baptize me again.
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swimmerbabe11
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In reply to powerbelly • 7:11p, 6/6/24
same. I went to a private Baptist school for a few years and I was a *problem*
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Captain Pablo
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In reply to Ghost of Andrew Eaton • 2:52p, 6/7/24
AG
Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:
I've seen a few friends of mine posting about their children getting baptized at camp. I talked to one of the parents about it and they were a little frustrated. They aren't church members and their child was invited to the camp by a friend, so they let them go. The parents weren't upset but were a little frustrated that they couldn't talk to their child about their child's commitment or be part of the conversation.

Should these baptisms wait until the child has had a chance to talk with their parents?


That's a full blown WTF

Hell yes that's inappropriate
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BusterAg
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In reply to 10andBOUNCE • 11:26a, 6/8/24
AG
10andBOUNCE said:
The System said:
No, I don't believe other paths/camps were mentioned prior to me being a smart as$. But with all the evil and darkness in society, it's just surprising that camp baptism is what's getting some of your panties knotted up.

Yeah teens are fickle. Yeah there are probably many that make a decision of faith or baptism that are caught up in the moment, following their friends, or are on a camp "high". But I also believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. And for many of these youth, a seed is planted that the Holy Spirit will water. I believe that is way more important than worrying about who's offended by a baptism or what kid just did it because his friends did.

I think most non-believers probably wouldn't lose their minds that their kid made a faith decision at camp. And most believers would talk to and prepare their kids if they are sending them to a camp of a different denomination or faith.

I love that kids are going to camp. My nephew is a counselor at Pine Cove. It's refreshing to see a new generation of youth and young adults on fire for the Lord, whether it's a camp high or not.
I think being improperly baptized is worth getting attention. It may not take on the appearance of "evil" as we have come to think of it, but no doubt the devil is more than happy to have youth being baptized who don't understand. This can obviously happen in a camp or even within a family who is truly trying to disciple their children well, but I do not think it is something to dismiss.

Same with camp highs -it's like a sugar high or other highs we get in life. It doesn't last. I think camps have had a profound impact on some - perhaps starting a faith journey. But I think where they may lack is the follow up for youth that may not have the infrastructure already in place to cultivate their new found faith.


So the big meeting in acts 2 shows a bunch of people getting baptized on the same day.

I think if you are an incoming freshman, and you had been attending the same cap for at least the 2 previous years, there is some expectation that parents are at least ok with the doctrine there.

That said, the OP sounds wildly inappropriate. Baptizing a kid who you know, and who the youth ministers parents know, is one thing. Baptizing a kid who is a visitor without talking to parents is a totally different story.
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