ITEMS of INTEREST

with contributions from Lori Van Ingen, Anita Jain, Mario Toneguzzi

"Attending summer camp is a rite of passage for many children. Along with traditional summer camps, religious based summer camps are becoming more popular. Nearly 40 percent of US teens ages 13 to 17 have been a camper at least once at a summer camp run by a religious organization with religious teachings or songs in its programs, according to the National Study of Youth and Religion.

"Christian Camping International/USA, a nonprofit association incorporated in 1963, says religious–based camps are 'unsurpassed for igniting faith, instilling character, and implanting ideals in participants, regardless of age or background.' . . . Over the last few years, the average increase in attendance at Christian camps is about 7 percent, according to Christian Camping International."

Lori Van Ingen
"Religious summer camps growing popular"
Intelligencer Journal
@2004 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.
June 12, 2004