Summer Fun and Guarding Your Child’s Heart
It’s the time of year when we begin signing our kids up for summer camps, classes, and other fun events. It’s a rite of passage, isn’t it? Swimming with friends, week-long church camp, art day-camps, STEM events, and more. If you grew up with these fun summer memories, no doubt you want your children to have them, too.
I’m here to encourage you to proceed with caution and discernment.
This is a different world than the one in which you grew up. It’s not “your mama’s summer camp” anymore. If you won’t send your children to public school, consider: why might you drop your children off at very similar events this summer?
I’m not here to tell you that your children need to stay home all summer. But I do want to caution you to be realistic about the world we live in. Two major changes have taken place since you were a kid: the internet and the meteoric rise of LGBT conformity. Both of these dangers target children.
The Internet
When you see a group of kids hanging out together, you will often see something else: the majority of those kids are staring at a smartphone. Now, if you know kids (and I’m sure you do), you know that “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child” (Proverbs 22:15). And while some parents have strict rules for internet use and smart devices, others simply don’t; this includes Christian and homeschooling parents.
Sadly, group hangouts are too often just kids hanging out together on their phones. At the least, it’s disappointing; at the worst, it’s unsafe. Social media alone is a dangerous place for children. But whether a group of friends is on their phones together or not, you must consider what influences these children.
LGBT Culture
The lesbian-gay-bisexual-trans culture is being forced on children everywhere you turn. Children’s cartoons, books, and clothing are aimed at normalizing this abomination (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). Schools have proudly become “safe spaces” for children to hide their trans lifestyle from their parents. Multiple church denominations even endorse LGBT lifestyle.
Children are the direct target.
Internet, LGBT, and Summer Camps
Think about the logistics of many summer activities: tons of kids from all walks of life dropped off at an event run by a handful of adults (or teens) spending hours together each day for a week or more. In certain cases, these are safe, wholesome events. But in most, they are an imitation of the public school atmosphere.
Consider summer camp: counselors are most often high school students or recent graduates. They may be from Christian homes, and they may not. Even if they are, they may not have a strong biblical worldview. Couple that with the close relationship they form with your children for a week. Now consider: does this teen share your values? Does this teen want to uphold your family’s biblical principles, or do they want to be your child’s coolest friend? Is this teen raised in the humanistic public school system, where diversity and inclusion are top priorities?
Many camps do not allow parents to participate. In fact, too many often meet parents at the door with rules that allow almost no oversight. I know this from my own experience as a child and as a parent.
Each camp will have varying rules about phones and internet devices. But even if your child has limited access to such, they very well may be surrounded by kids with no limits. Whether the phones are present or not, most of your child’s campmates are heavily influenced by unlimited internet exposure.
As the LGBT movement in America continually gains steam, it is very important to be aware of the very real danger it presents to your child. Transitioning children from their biological gender to the opposite gender is the most alarming trend so far, and one that causes permanent physical and mental injury.
At this point, you may be thinking that I’m calling all camps and all children evil. Please don’t misunderstand. If you take just a moment to contemplate what one week with other kids can do—other kids who have not been taught to guard their hearts, other kids who do not have godly parents at home, other kids who have little parental guidance and a lot of social media influence—you might begin to see the unpleasant reality that “bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). God has given our children to us to shepherd and disciple. We should be diligent and aware of the dangers unique to our evil time, and protect our children’s hearts.
How do you choose?
There are two details to consider: 1) your individual child, and 2) the event itself.
Your child. Each child is unique in their maturity, their faith, and their understanding of the world. Even within families, each child’s strengths and weaknesses vary. While you may be tempted to issue general rules for all of your children, it is also wise to look at each as an individual. Their age, relationship with you, innocence (or lack thereof), self-discipline, walk with Christ—these are all aspects to take into account. Does your child tend to follow the crowd, or do they stand firm on their principles?
The event. Ask questions. Who is hosting the event? What do the daily schedules look like? What is the goal of the event? Are the organizers Christians? What is their cell-phone policy? Is there a safety policy that prevents one adult from being alone with students? Is a parent allowed to attend? Is this event worth any possible risk?
In my 26 years of parenting, we have had general guidelines while also making individual decisions based on each child and each event. As I write this, my 17-year-old is preparing to go to a local summer camp. No one in our house has attended a camp in over 10 years, but for this kid and this particular event, it worked.
If you have a child who is not mature enough for a summer-camp experience, or you can’t find one that meets your guidelines, don’t worry—there are options!
Solutions
So do we stop having summer fun?? Absolutely not! But just as we make different choices for our children’s education, we can find great alternatives for recreation.
Family camp – This is a great way to get the camp experience together as a family group. Join with other like-minded families in cabins, grill hot dogs, and enjoy the great outdoors together! Check out this link to search for a family camp near you.
Family vacations – Instead of sending kids off separately, spend the money to take a trip somewhere new! Go to the beach, the mountains, or just hit the road for some sightseeing. I highly recommend the Ark Encounter!
Host your own event – Invite other kids or families over to your house for a game night, crafting, a movie, or to swim together. Make it potluck for easy planning.
Cooperatives – Homeschoolers have group-learning opportunities down to a science! Get a group together for some camp-like activities at the park, your church, or your house. Do a unit study on Independence Day, have a Lego competition, or host a VBS-style Bible study. Start here with unit studies.
Volunteer – With family or a group of friends, volunteer in your community to help a neighbor with yard work, clean the church, take food to first responders, or collect baby items for a local charity. Contact Meals on Wheels, a pro-life center, or your pastor for ideas.
Christians, we are always going to be different from the world. As parents, it’s hard sometimes. Our kids want to fit in, and we want them to have a great childhood. Be encouraged that you can provide lots of summer fun while maintaining your biblical principles and guarding your children’s hearts along the way.