Edwin & Helen Kagin and Camp Quest campers witness a rare unicorn sighting

Helen Kagin died early this evening following complications from cancer surgery.  She was 76.

Kagin was a heroine and activist in the Atheist movement.  Along with her husband, attorney Edwin Kagin, she co-founded Camp Quest , a summer camp for the children of nonbelievers, which has grown into an international outreach.  She and Edwin were frequent guests at various conventions, and belonged to several freethought groups.

In 2005, Helen and Edwin were named “Atheists of the Year” at the National Convention of American Atheists.  Helen was active in the Free Inquiry Group of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky .  She worked closely with Edwin and others organizing countless demonstrations and meetings, including the Rally for Reason which attracted hundreds of pro-science supporters who peacefully protested outside the opening of the Creation Museum in Petersburg , KY.

She  was an outstanding wife, mother, friend to so many; and Helen also had an illustrious career as an anesthesiologist. We will miss her infectious laughter, her wonderful friendship and stalwart support for the cause of Reason and state-church separation.

Helen Kagin will be cremated.  Edwin Kagin asks that expressions of sympathy in the form of donations be used to send kids to Camp Quest. There will be further announcements, including details of a Memorial event.

Helen Kagin

SOLD OUT

Date : Monday 26th July to Friday 30th July
Price : £275 all inclusive
Location : Kilve Court, Somerset

For more info >>>

For more info >>>

Camp A – Kilve Court, Somerset (SOLD OUT!)

Monday 26^th July to Friday 30^th July

Camp B – Caythorpe Court, Lincolnshire (11 places remaining)

Monday 23^rd August to Friday 27^th August

The cost of camp is £275.

BOOK NOW BEFORE PLACES FILL UP!

Camp Quest UK has been in the media a lot recently, but over in the US media interest has focused on a new Camp Quest that is starting in Texas!

Visit the Camp Quest Texas site!

There are two main ways to help out Camp Quest Texas. The first is to donate. Donation money goes to help provide full or partial camperships to children who want to attend Camp Quest Texas but need some financial assistance.

The second way to help is to volunteer. At Camp Quest Texas we have a fairly full slate of returning volunteer counselors. The other Camp Quests located in other parts of the country may also need volunteer help.

Another option for volunteering is to do little things throughout the year–write a letter to the editor about Camp Quest, pick up kids from airports, helping raise funds, helping with promotion or any number of other “off camp” tasks.

Camp Quest is the first residential summer camp in the history of the United States 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.

What ages of children are eligible for Camp Quest Texas?

Children age 5 to 13 are welcome to attend.

How much does Camp Quest Texas cost?

Registration is $25 per child.

Are there Camperships?

We never want financial concerns to prevent a child from attending Camp Quest Texas. We are very happy to work with parents to find a rate that is within their reach for their children.

What are the daily activities?

As this is the first year of Camp Quest - Texas, the details of many activities are still in the works. We’ll be learning about different animals, making pottery, and having lots of great fun!

How many kids generally attend? What are their age brackets? What about boys vs. girls? This is the first session for Camp Quest Texas, so we don’t have a history to draw from. So far, however, over a dozen parents have expressed interest. Please feel free to contact us for a more detailed status.

Who are the counselors and how are they chosen?

The primary councelors at Camp Quest Texas will be Amie and Marybeth. Amie is a high school teacher and Marybeth is a Kindergarten teacher. We also have many others from the North Texas Church of Freethought volunteering.

Do you do criminal background checks on staff?

Yes! We do criminal background checks on all staff (new and returning) every year.

Can I contact some other parents who have registered to come?

Yes! Either send us an e-mail and put in the comments that you’d like to convey. We will pass them along!

What is the best airport to use to get to Camp Quest Texas?

Camp Quest Texas is near Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Love Field (LOV) airports, with Dallas-Forth Worth the closest. We recommend checking both of them to find the best price and times. We are happy to do airport pick-up and drop-off for visitors. Please give us the flight times and numbers as far in advance as possible.

I want to help, what can I do?

Thank you for your interest! Please visit our Donate or Volunteer page for more information!

This is followed by an interview with the director of Camp Quest UK: Samantha Stein.
Part One

Part Two

Youtube videos provided by kyrillp http://www.youtube.com/user/kyrillp

The media had found their angle, Camp Quest was to be the example that ‘militant atheism’ had started to convert children. Most articles before camp carried the charge that ‘children would be taught that religion can harm moral developement’, while others printed after (and after listening to radio and tv interviews) had grasped a more accurate impression of what Camp Quest aims to achieve.

Channel More 4 News Coverage

Comments

Apart from the many debates that were started on the existence of god(s) and other things, some common comments found are;

Fairy1973
29 Jul 09, 4:02pm

So happy, there is an alternative. I was beginning to feel excluded and alienated, for not being Christian, Muslim or any other such religious observer.

JacobH
29 Jul 09, 10:10pm

“We try to teach them how to think and not what to think. We’re encouraging them to leave camp with 101 questions for their parents and teachers. And that’s got to be a good thing.”

Hoorah! This is exactly what schools should be doing. Ironically, RE - when done well - is probably one of the only subject at present that can achieve such aims. Fostering freethinking - this is true education.

Many thanks to Chloë Clifford-Frith for taking the time to produce the pack.

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