FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 21, 2011, St. Cloud, MN – Central Minnesota Freethinkers, formerly Central Minnesota Friends Free of Theism, a St. Cloud area organization of humanists, rationalists, freethinkers, atheists and agnostics, has funded a scholarship sponsoring a student to attend one week at Camp Quest in Minnetrista this summer. Central Minnesota Freethinkers made a donation of $489 this year. There is a waiting list annually that has children who want to attend camp but can’t afford the fee.
Camp Quest if Minnesota (minnesota.camp-quest.org) is affiliated with National Camp Quest (www.camp-quest.org) of Ohio, the first secular summer camp for youth in the history of the United States. Camp Quest was specifically designed for children of Unitarians, atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists, or whatever terms might be applied to those who maintain a naturalistic, rather than supernaturalistic world view.
Camp Quest provides quality physical, mental, emotional and leadership skills development for children ages 8 through 17 during a weeklong camping event in midsummer. They promote a sense of belonging to a larger free-thought community, encourage critical thinking in young people to enable them to draw their own conclusions and promote respect for others with different viewpoints, values and beliefs, all in a safe and fun environment.
Each child in need, along with their parents, sends a letter to Camp quest of Minnesota requesting aid. The staff at the camp redact all names so no one on the board is unfairly influenced in their choice, the letters are reviewed and a decision is made. To date, no student has been turned away.
The camp is held the last week of July each year at the Voyageur Environmental Center in Minnetrista, just west of Minneapolis. Some Central Minnesota Freethinkers members volunteer their time at Camp Quest each year.
The Central Minnesota Freethinkers hold monthly meetings in St. Cloud, gather frequently for coffee at Caribou Coffee, and sponsor several social events throughout the year. Visit freeoftheism.org for more information.
Doug Petersen, president
Central Minnesota Freethinkers