Education

Tampa 9/12 Group Offers Founding Fathers Summer Camp Alternative for Kids

Tampa 9/12 Group Offers Founding Fathers Summer Camp Alternative for KidsWe all probably have summer-camp horror stories. From poison ivy, to diving board flubs, to finding and losing the love of your life all in one week. And in the end, maybe we learned a couple rudimentary survival skills, but mostly we learned how to launch a perfect water balloon.

But what if you could find a variation of summer camp that was more about enduring principles and the founding fathers than chasing fireflies? One 9/12 group is making that possible.

The Tampa 9/12 project is planning a summer-camp variation this July that will introduce kids to ideas such as, “America is good,“ ”I believe in God,“ and ”I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.”

The St. Petersburg Times has more about the project, called “Tampa Liberty School:”

Organized by conservative writer Jeff Lukens and staffed by volunteers from the 912 Project, Tampa Liberty School will meet every morning July 11-15 in borrowed space at the Paideia Christian school in Temple Terrace.

[...]

Tampa Liberty is modeled after vacation Bible schools, which use fun, hands-on activities to deliver Christian messages.

“We want to impart to our children what our nation is about, and what they may or may not be told,” Lukens told the Times. He later added, “We are a faithful people, and when you talk about natural law, you have to talk about God. When you take that out of the discussion, you miss the whole thing.”

So what will this camp look like? If you thought boring classroom lecture, think again. How about using candy to symbolize the gold standard and a bubble exercise that teaches about socialism:

One example at Liberty: Children will win hard, wrapped candies to use as currency for a store, symbolizing the gold standard. On the second day, the “banker” will issue paper money instead. Over time, students will realize their paper money buys less and less, while the candies retain their value.

[...]

Another example: Starting in an austere room where they are made to sit quietly, symbolizing Europe, the children will pass through an obstacle course to arrive at a brightly decorated party room (the New World).

Red-white-and-blue confetti will be thrown. But afterward the kids will have to clean up the confetti, learning that with freedom comes responsibility.

Still another example: Children will blow bubbles from a single container of soapy solution, and then pop each other’s bubbles with squirt guns in an arrangement that mimics socialism. They are to count how many bubbles they pop. Then they will work with individual bottles of solution and pop their own bubbles.

The camp’s website explains its main goals:

  • With freedom comes responsibility. Blending freedom and responsibility requires virtuous, moral, and educated citizens. This is why we teach the principles of liberty from the perspective of faith, hope and charity.
  • We promote principles rather than specific men or political parties since these can be corrupted and disappoint us, whereas fundamental principles are timeless and incorruptible.
  • Seek the truth by going to original sources. We go to the founders’ own words to understand the intent of their actions and the structure they laid for us. In this spirit, we encourage all involved in Tampa Liberty School to engage in their own quest for the truth and research beyond what is presented here.
  • The founders’ faith in God was fundamental to the founding of our country and the system they provided.
  • The ultimate responsibility for maintaining liberty lies with the people. It may be convenient to point blame at our elected officials for infringements that may creep in upon our liberties, but we must recognize that it is up to us (the citizens) to be the guardians of our liberty and assure that those we elect do not reach beyond the binds that the Constitution places on our government.

Lukens said his project is modeled after one in Kentucky. If his is successful, he’s going to look for ways to expand.

“Just as we the citizens of the United States of America bear the ultimate responsibility to ensure that liberty persists in our great nation, we also bear the ultimate responsibility to teach the generations that follow us the principles from which liberty flows; and further that they in turn bear that responsibility to teach these principles and responsibilities to their children,” the group’s website explains. “Only through diligence can freedom be perpetually maintained over the centuries to come.”

UPDATE:

You can get more information about the national 9/12 group’s child education efforts here.

Comments (75)

1 2
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 11:30am

    Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need to see this kind of stuff nationwide, we need contests on kids remembering their favorite Constitutional Amendment, there should be Civic’s contests…. we need kids to actually learn what liberal public schools refuse to teach…. the TRUTH!

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • lynda1276
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 11:20am

    Great idea!!!! hope it spreads to other places

    Report Post »  
  • BlazeMom
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:33am

    How hard is this to organize? I’d be interested in hosting in my area! Kuddos to the patriots who thought this up! This made my day!!!

    Report Post »  
  • 57states
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:29am

    that’s good news! but watch they will be targeted by the local schools and media!

    Report Post » 57states  
  • RationalJames
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:08am

    This ‘Harrumph, we’re patriots! You can be free as long as you’re just like us!’ thing needs to die out already. It’s dying fast, but free thought needs to deliver the final blow.

    Report Post » RationalJames  
  • ElaineA
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:07am

    What an AWESOME idea!

    Report Post » ElaineA  
  • RationalJames
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:06am

    John, that’s terrifying.

    They need to learn to be intelligent individuals who can decide for themselves what to believe and what to do with their lives, not learn to be hate-filled robots.

    Report Post » RationalJames  
    • becauseitmatters
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:53am

      So, you think they should learn from the liberals not to be hate filled individuals…..hm….How does supporting abortion fit in with your statement. Maybe they will get some good “indoctrination” and find a love for life.

      Report Post »  
    • Gashouse Gorilla
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 11:39am

      So, it looks like hypocracy rules in your tiny brain, irrationaljimmy. Nice of you to ignore all the leftist indoctination in our nations’ universities and the indocrination of our school kids being forced to sing songs about Barak Hussien Obama…..Your bankrupt intellect is showing

      Report Post » Gashouse Gorilla  
  • RationalJames
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:46am

    Gotta love indoctrination….

    I’d much rather send my kids to Camp Quest. Kids need to learn to think, not be told WHAT to think.

    Report Post » RationalJames  
    • John 3:16
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:00am

      This is a great idea. We need to educate our youth in a fun way. The next generation of true, American, freedom loving, patriots.

      Report Post » John 3:16  
    • vennoye
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:50am

      Well, of course you would send your children to Camp Quest!!!!

      Camp Quest Texas is the first residential summer camp in the history of the Texas 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. See they also have the camps in several other states and the UK!
      I’m sure that it will work out well for both you and your children…….sad really……..but do come back next June and let us know how things are working out for you!! Especially your “Freethinking” and trying to figure out what is happening around you.

      Report Post » vennoye  
  • Gashouse Gorilla
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:38am

    That’s it! I’m moving to Florida!

    Report Post » Gashouse Gorilla  
  • Gashouse Gorilla
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:35am

    Awesome, just awesome! This story is such a boost especially after reading about the ban on chocolate milk in LA schools!

    Report Post » Gashouse Gorilla  
  • Eyeball
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:29am

    There was a time a half a century ago when the government would sponsor programs like these. Today, they want to continue to dumb down our kids so they will stupidly put into office someone who doesn’t have a clue how to be President. Right Obama?

    Report Post » Eyeball  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:22am

    I like the idea of kids participating in these kind of activities. Think of the learning experiences that they can take with them when the camp ends and the character that will of been instilled.

    Report Post » Darla_K  
  • catndahat
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:21am

    Now this is COOL….

    Being a Floridian i am especially glad to see that a more ‘liberal’ city like Tampa has come up with this idea. I hope it spreads across the nation.

    Report Post » catndahat  
    • RationalJames
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:56am

      Wait, Florida has liberals?

      I thought it was full of senior citizens.

      Report Post » RationalJames  
  • Carol in MA
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:19am

    Love it!!!

    Report Post » Carol in MA  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:15am

    I‘ll pay Obama’s tuition, he needs it.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:12am

    How about we indoctrinate our children to what God has done for us. Then we can all sleep a little better at night. These summer camps are great for the kids because they are not left to their own devices.

    Report Post »  
    • semihardrock
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 11:15am

      G-d has given us truth! What we do with it is up to us which is why the left has used it to push things like “global warming” in summertime! Children are the most vulnerable to SUCH truths but can be steered back to “Freedom” if it is pointed out to them in a short 1-2 week camp.

      EVEN IF THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR PUSHES THE ALTERNATIVE TO FREEDOM!

      Report Post » semihardrock  
  • Texas Grasshopper
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:12am

    they better hurry and get more of these schools …..

    TSA “Security Exercise” Covers 3 States, 5000 Miles
    Reposted from: http://www.prisonplanet.com/tsa-security-exercise-covers-3-states-5000-miles.html
    June 15, 2011 @ 7:11 am
    Think the TSA was just restricted to airports? Think again.

    Report Post »  
    • NJTMATO
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:33am

      Hey Texas – Thanks for the link…I will be forwarding it to those who already believe I’m nuts! It’s okay though, when the SHTF they‘ll look for me and I’ll share with those I choose/can.

      Report Post » NJTMATO  
    • ILUVAMERICA
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:37am

      @ Texas Grasshopper
      I am so glad to see some of the blaze readers have a brain and are reading the prisonplanet.com
      They report on what is REALLY happening
      Unlike this site which is just like the rest of mainstream media
      Bias, Full of useless information, Unreport Major News, bloggers with half a brain
      Go head and call me all kinds of names for stating the truth
      Sticks and stones

      Report Post » ILUVAMERICA  
  • USAFRetired
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:10am

    I wish them the best and hope some of it sinks in deep.

    Report Post » USAFRetired  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:06am

    I hope many parents send there kids and that this is wildly sucessfull. Great way for kids to understand the joy of living in freedom and the cost of maintaining it.The ones that go will help be ripples in the pond-telling what they learned and being able to disagree with the school propaganda. Best wishes for their complete success.

    Report Post »  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:04am

    Great ideal!!!!!! But how to get kids interested in going will be the hard part, kind of like a eat your Broccoli summer camp! KIds want to have fun! do you remember when you were a kid? Don’t become what the left are and do the same to the kids just in a different direction even though it is good it tends to backfire.

    Report Post »  
    • a true texan
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 3:12pm

      If you can get your kids to VBS then they’ll go for this. Anyway my daughter doesn’t want to do most things but I make her go at least once and she finds most everytime that she likes it and goes back.

      Report Post »  
  • Ironeagle
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:04am

    Right -on! Genius idea. All our churches need to steer a course in this direction.

    Report Post » Ironeagle  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:03am

    This is great.

    We need to deprogram our kids from the Marxist brainwashing they’re getting from:

    School
    NYT
    LAT
    CBS
    CNN
    ABC
    MTV
    Hollywood

    Did I miss anything?

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • Ron_WA
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:34am

      You forgot a couple of the biggest offenders: NBC/MSNBC & Al Gore TV

      Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • vennoye
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:25am

      And the “NEW” one……..“Current TV”. You just have to love capitalism……was watching Fox last night and there was a commercial by Keith Olbermann about his new show on Current TV. Had to laugh…….know he just loves paying money to Fox!! :-)

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • Tree
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 7:43pm

      Don‘t forget Obama’s spiritual advisors! Also college students. In fact, something similar should be required to graduate!

      Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:00am

    THAT IS AWESOME! What a great idea. They should have one for the parents, as well. :)

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 8:59am

    .
    Forget the kids. Send Obama………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 8:58am

    What a unique way of spending some of the summer! Kids are gonna love it–like LIfe Cereal; it‘s good for them but they won’t know it cuz they’ll love it!

    Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:08am

      Wow. Temple Terrace is not that far of a drive…. This would be better than spending gobs of money at the Tragic Kingdom.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:20am

      Good, though I wonder how long until the left and the radicals come after them with blood in their eyes and voices roaring.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:37am

      Hey, Blaze the link in the story is NOT for the Tampa Trib, it’s for the St Pete Times.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • JRook
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:46am

      I’m sure it will be a “fact filled” fun time for all….. Yea right

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:50am

      So I guess they will invite M. Bachmann to be the historian….LOL

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:13am

      @JKOOK, no one is telling you to participate. Why are you complaining to begin with? If you’re a good Mother Earth-loving, socialism/communism-embracing, NYT-reading, Birkenstock-wearing, gender-neutral Liberal, you don’t have kids anyway so as not to do any harm to the planet via the HUGE carbon footprint your spawn would create. So what’s your problem with families sending their children to something like this? I‘ll bet you wouldn’t have a problem with kids taking a summer trip to Cuba to learn the finer points of el revolución, just like these fine, liberal breeders did, eh? Oh, and it MUST be OK for these folks to have kids and to destroy the planet with their carbon footprint since they are presumably of the same mindset as you. Their activities are hunky dory for you, but heaven forbid should anyone else choose differently for their children….

      http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/babiespregnancy/babies/article/995112

      Heh heh heh…. This should be good…..

      Gotta get back to work now. I have to pay my taxes so the Liberal trolls on here will get their dependency checks on time.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • JRook
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:39am

      @biohazard23 Like seriously how sad are you. And how sad are the people who are manipulating what the founding fathers stood for or actually said. Have you actually read anything yourself or do you depend on M. Bachmann to make up “We know the founding fathers worked tirelessly to eliminate slavery” or even better represent that Madison was very clear in the separation of religion, not just church from the state.

      Report Post »  
    • Sinista MACE
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 11:00am

      “We want to indoctrinate your children that 9-11 was done by those evil muslims, not your own corrupt Federal Government. Your government is innocent in all things. Worship your government.”

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • grandma7
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 11:01am

      Snowleopard, They already have!!! Check out this sad summary:

      http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/06/14/tea_party_summer_camp/index.html

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 11:54am

      TEA is strong in Southwest Florida … I doubt Obama will be doing much fundraising on this side of the state! Way to go .. to both the organizers and the kids … have a great summer.

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • ThankYouFounders
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 12:25pm

      @Jrook,

      You lost me when you actually started your sentence with “Like”.

      Another example of our wonderful Progressive educational system. Thanks for nothing Mr. Dewey.

      Report Post »  
    • Truth Wins Every Time
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 12:45pm

      I think a better way is for the entire family to attend each day, or do weekends [parents must work] and make it a family project. Kids will think it is cool that parents are learning also. And both do homework.

      Report Post »  
    • Dont-hate-on-me-2
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 1:00pm

      Wish i lived there. My kids read this story after i did and they want to go. They love learning about America.

      Report Post » Dont-hate-on-me-2  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 1:27pm

      Training young minds with the truth… Way to GO. Where do we donate or volunteer to help?

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 1:34pm

      This is the person attacking this great camp..
      Let him know what you think.

      Alex Pareene writes about politics for Salon. Email him at apareene@salon.com and follow him on Twitter @pareene More: Alex Pareene

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • grandma7
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 1:55pm

      Benjarmon:
      “Training young minds with the truth… Way to GO. Where do we donate or volunteer to help?”

      Another program, throughout the US.

      http://constitutionalchampions.org/

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 2:56pm

      man i feel sorry for those kids… its important to teach 7 year olds about the gold standard and socialism(?), so can turn them into paranoid losers? i’d rather have my kids being physical, playing baseball, swimming. its the summer, let kids be kids, don’t push that nonsense onto them.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 6:30pm

      @ThankYouFounders Sorry I was trying to relate to the group and borrowed from Palin’s 8 th. grade writing style. Nice try in deflecting away from the issue though. Seriously read Madison regarding the danger of religion and provide some support for Bachmann’s statement then we can talk.

      Report Post »  
    • ThankYouFounders
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 11:16pm

      @Jrook,

      Is that your excuse? I didn’t see anyone else here starting their sentences with “Valley Girl” dialect. The ironic thing about the Palin emails is her writing level is above most CEO’s and even above the writing analyst himself. The report also said her emails – off the cuff communication – was well above average and just below well-thought out speeches such as MLK’s “I have a dream” and Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”.

      As for this “Founders Camp”. It is a great idea and we signed our kids up this afternoon. How wonderful that they get to learn about the beauty and significance of the founding of America outside the Progressive school system where they purposely skew history to separate us from what our country really stands for. This is evident in light of recent civics tests showing our schools are failing to teach our countries history, including the role of God in its founding.

      Report Post »  
    • Cold War Vet
      Posted on June 16, 2011 at 2:41am

      Add your comments

      Report Post » Cold War Vet  
    • Gail_B_Bell
      Posted on June 16, 2011 at 11:11am

      As long as they do not indoctrinate the kids like Obama does, it’s OK with us.

      Report Post » MONICNE  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love