to wonder what everyone things about these

[MistletoeMush]

Church Holiday Clubs. I know that this is the wrong time of year and that they are usually held in Summer or Easter. However given all the discussion about Church schools on MN I wonder what people think about sending their children to holiday clubs which teach Christian beliefs and Christian songs etc but usually offer free or very cheap childcare. Or do such things not exist so much anymore?

Oops 'thinks'

These clubs certainly do exist. My local church has about 150 children for a week in the summer and they have a great time!

For some reason I thought they were becoming less common. I know one of my local churches scaled theirs down as it was quite difficult to run, relying on volunteers etc.

It would be interesting to think about whether or not its worth the free/cheap childcare when their children are also taught about beliefs that the parents may not share IYSWIM.

They exist in my area, and I know several people who send their kids. Some are Christians, others are not. The childcare is certainly cheap, and the kids seem to enjoy it.

From all that I can gather, the Christian message is central to what these clubs do, and as I don't really want that for my child, I wouldn't send her. Personally, I'd rather pay the higher childcare costs, though I wouldn't blame others for sending their kids if they felt it was appropriate.

oops I meant to type

It would be interesting to know what people think about whether or not its worth the free/cheap childcare....

What I typed sounds a bit like i'm telling people what to thinks oops

My youngest used to go. It was brilliant and he loved it. The teachings were quite generic sbout being kind and showing love. Luckily I don't need child care so he really went along for the fun factor. It cost 50p a day and that included some orange squash. He only stopped going when his pals did.

They have something hideous in my town called "Holiday Bible Week" that everyone uses as cheap childcare in the summer holidays. I used to use it as a threat for mine if they misbehaved (We're practising catholics and so aren't big on the old testament or anything that involves clapping)

My best friend used to volunteer at one of these to help run it when we were in the 6th form.

I don't have a real problem with it; after all, they aren't forcing children to go, and if you send your child to one you're probably giving your child a religious upbringing anyway, so it's not unsuspecting indoctrination.

All in all there are far worse things out there, though, being non-religious myself, I wouldn't send my DC to one.