Jesus Camp refers to evangelical Christian summer camps for children and teenagers. The goal of these camps is to strengthen the faith of young believers through worship, bible study, and spiritual practices. The name comes from the 2006 documentary film “Jesus Camp” which followed kids attending one such camp.
At Jesus Camp, campers take part in faith-based activities designed to deepen their relationship with God. This can involve praise and worship sessions with contemporary Christian music, listening to sermons and teachings by the camp pastor, small group bible studies, and prayer circles. There is an emphasis on having a “personal relationship” with Jesus Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit.
While each Jesus Camp has its own unique culture, there are some common threads. The camps tend to be very emotionally charged with kids openly expressing their faith through crying, shouting, dancing, and speaking in tongues. They are encouraged to take their faith seriously at a young age and be warriors for Christ. Activities are designed to strengthen their Christian worldview like pro-life skits, religious prop building projects, and reading bible verses about morality.
The Jesus Camps featured in the documentary drew some criticism for how intensely they push religious beliefs on children. Scenes included campers being brought to tears over their sins, speaking in tongues during exorcisms, and smashing ceramic cups representing evil. This was seen by some as indoctrination and harmful emotional manipulation. However, those running the camps believed they were protecting kids from secular society and giving them a foundation in their faith.
Jesus Camps are run by various independent Pentecostal and Evangelical churches or organizations across America. They emerged in popularity in the 1980s and became a phenomenon in the Evangelical movement. While exact numbers are not available, millions of American kids have likely attended some form of Jesus Camp. They continue to be run today as a way for churches to pass on beliefs to the next generation.
At their core, Jesus Camps use immersive experiences to teach children Evangelical Christian doctrine and rituals. This includes emphasizing biblical literalism, salvation through Christ, the reality of heaven and hell, and living according to conservative values. By incorporating worship, peer discussion, emotional responses, and entertainment, the goal is to imprint these beliefs at a young, impressionable age.
Here are some of the key components and beliefs commonly promoted at Jesus Camps:
Salvation – The camps teach that people must accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior to be forgiven of sin and saved. Children often undergo an “altar call” where they dedicate themselves to following Jesus.
The Bible – The Bible is treated as the literal word of God. Campers are taught to rely on the Bible for ultimate truth and moral guidance. Certain biblical texts on morality, salvation, and the end times are emphasized.
Prayer – Children are encouraged to have regular personal prayer time where they can communicate with God. Prayer circles and impromptu prayers happen frequently at camp.
Praise and Worship – Exuberant praise and worship is a staple. Kids sing along to faith-based songs, raise their hands, and even dance during worship.
Speaking in Tongues – Many Jesus Camps encourage glossolalia or speaking in tongues. This is seen as a sign of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Children as young as 6 or 7 can be heard speaking in tongues.
Spiritual Gifts – Some camps teach kids about gifts of the Holy Spirit like prophecy, divine healing, and interpretation of tongues. Workshops on discovering your spiritual gifts are common.
Faith Healing – Faith healing or miraculous physical healing through prayer is taught as a reality. Children may be brought up to be prayed over for healing of an illness or injury.
Exorcisms – Exorcisms to drive out the devil or demons are done, usually involving shouting and laying hands on the child. This is seen as purifying kids of evil spirits.
Abortion – Camps take a hard pro-life stance against abortion. Kids are taught abortion is murder and may take part in demonstrations or skits about the issue.
Politics – Some camps encourage kids to see political action as part of serving God. Supporting conservative Christian agendas against gay marriage, school prayer bans, etc. may be advocated.
Evangelism – Children are often challenged to share their faith with others and try to convert non-believers, including their peers. Evangelism projects and outreach may be planned.
Promise Rings – Some camps have purity pledges and giving away of promise rings to symbolize a commitment to remain sexually pure until marriage.
Eschatology – There is a literal belief in the apocalyptic prophecies of the Bible like those in Revelation. Camps teach the urgency of preparing for the end times.
While not affiliated with any specific church or denomination, Jesus Camps tend to reflect the Pentecostal tradition and Evangelicalism. They emphasize the gifts of the Holy Spirit, expressive worship, and a personal relationship with Jesus. The camps advocate strict biblical literalism and follow Evangelical doctrine closely. Their conservative stances on social issues also mirror the Evangelical movement.
However, the particular activities and culture at each Jesus Camp can vary based on the ministry running them. Some may have kids stewarding wildlife, doing crafts, or enjoying archery along with their Bible-focused curriculum. The tone can range from casually enjoyable to intensely passionate depending on the leadership. Regardless, their unifying aims are to convert more kids to Christ and deepen the faith of those already saved.
Jesus Camps have received some criticism over the years, mainly for the intensity and emotional pressure put on children. Here are some of the concerns that have been raised:
– Indoctrinating kids at very impressionable ages before they can think critically about what is being taught.
– Scaring kids with over-the-top depictions of hell, the devil, and the end times. These can be traumatizing messages for young minds.
– Pressuring kids into superficial demonstrations of faith like crying, speaking in tongues, and repenting in front of others.
– Convincing kids who experience normal childhood challenges that they are flawed sinners in need of salvation.
– Using worship songs, games, and entertainment to transmit religious ideology in a manipulative manner.
– Encouraging kids to judge others harshly for not holding the same beliefs or values.
– Focusing too much on miraculous signs and supernatural experiences rather than actual spiritual growth.
– Telling kids they will be warriors for God who have to combat secular society rather than live within it.
– Causing kids to have unnecessary anxiety over their salvation if they don’t have the right emotional experiences.
– Promoting a simplistic and literalist view of the Bible rather than an appreciation for the complex history of Scripture and its interpretations.
Defenders of Jesus Camps believe they instill character, provide community, and set an important spiritual foundation for children. They argue the camps tend to reflect common Evangelical beliefs and worship styles that are shared by millions of devout American families. They also point out that many kids have positive, uplifting experiences at the camps even if some outsiders consider the methods questionable.
In the years since Jesus Camp received so much exposure, some camps have toned down the more intense activities to avoid backlash. However, the core vision of imparting passionate Evangelical faith in the next generation remains the driving mission. These camps will likely continue influencing many Christian kids into the future.
