About Camp QuestThe purpose of Camp Quest Texas is to provide children of freethinking parents educational camping experiences dedicated to understanding the natural world and to improving the human condition through rational inquiry; critical and creative thinking; scientific method; self-respect; ethics; competency; democracy; free speech; and, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, the separation of religion and government. Camp Quest is the first residential camp in the history of the United States for the children of Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists, Brights, or whatever other terms might be applied to those who hold to a naturalistic, not supernatural world view. The original Camp Quest was first held in 1996. The idea for the project originated with Edwin Kagin. From 1996 until 2002 Camp Quest was operated by the Free Inquiry Group, Inc. (FIG) of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Since that time it has been operated by Camp Quest, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) educational non-profit. Edwin and Helen Kagin served as Camp Directors for the first ten years of the original Camp Quest, retiring at the end of the 2005 camp session. Seven Camp Quest summer camps currently offer programs across North America with the addition of the newly founded UK camp. Camp Quest, Inc. offers their guidance to independently governed Camp Quest programs. |
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Frequenty Asked QuestionsAre campers at Camp Quest required to be atheists?No. Campers at Camp Quest are encouraged to think for themselves and are not required to hold any particular view. We do emphasize critical and scientific thinking over faith though. When will Camp Quest Texas 2010 be held?August 1 to August 7 2010 Where will Camp Quest Texas be held?4-H Conference Center Campgrounds in Brownwood, Texas What options do I have if the dates/location of this Camp Quest don't work for me?There are other Camp Quests that use the name with permission, are also focused around skepticism of the supernatural and have a very similar program to Camp Quest Classic. For information about the dates and activities of the other Camp Quest locations please check out their websites listed below: What ages of children are eligible for Camp Quest Texas? Children age 8 to 18 are welcome to attend. 16 to 18 year olds are invited to be Junior Counselors in addition to being campers. How much does Camp Quest Texas cost?$480 per camper Are there Camperships?We never want financial concerns to prevent a child from attending Camp Quest Texas. Campership amounts will depend on donations and will be announced at a later date. What are the daily activities?Activities include science experiments, debates, hiking, swimming, canoes, camp fires, star gazing, crafts and more. How many kids generally attend? What are their age brackets? What about boys vs. girls?2010 is the first residential week long Camp Quest Texas, so we cannot accurately estimate the number and distribution of children. The 2009 Camp Quest Texas Day camp had a turn out of over 30 kids. Please feel free to contact us for a more detailed status. Who are the counselors and how are they chosen?Many counselors are teachers with years of experience teaching children. At least one counselor for each age bracket will have teaching experience. Do you do criminal background checks on staff?Yes! We do criminal background checks on all staff (new and returning) every year. Can I contact some other parents who have registered to come?Yes! Send us an e-mail and put in the comments that you'd like to be put in touch with other parents. We will pass them along! I want to help, what can I do?Thank you for your interest! Please visit our Donate or Volunteer page for more information! I want to contact someone about including Camp Quest in a media piece or publication that I am working on. Who should I contact?Please email info@campquesttexas.org if you are seeking information about Camp Quest Texas for media or publication purposes. If you are seeking information about all of the Camp Quest programs, please email camp@camp-quest.org. Amanda Metskas, the Executive Director of Camp Quest Inc., would be happy to talk with you, or put you in touch with others who can give you the information you are looking for. |
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