Scary campfire stories.

School life ends and camp life begins for innumerable kids across the country about this time every year. They pack clothes and gear; go off to often remote, idyllic settings; meet a whole new raft of people; and hopefully make some friends and learn a few things in the process.

Today's summer camps come in all shapes and sizes. The generic camp experience has given way to an ever-widening spectrum of specialties--computers, music, diet, theater, and chess to name just a few.

One specialty camp was the subject of a 2007 Oscar-nominated documentary film, Jesus Camp (Magnolia Pictures). The documentary is peppered with facts about evangelical children, 43 percent of whom become "born again" by age 13. But the actual camp experience at Kids on Fire summer camp, ironically situated near Devil's Lake, North Dakota, is truly this film's charism.

Kids at this camp hear sermons on how our nation turned away from God as a result of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling, how they have the opportunity and responsibility to make this country a Christian nation once again, and that these times call for fighting on the right side of the ongoing war. Young boys costumed in battle fatigue clothes act out combat, further emphasizing the war motif embodied in the oft-heard phrase, "Take back America for Christ."

These camp kids are socialized into praying in tongues. Prayer sessions set campers on emotional juggernauts. Tears streamed down faces and one child convulsed in the Spirit. A particularly gifted boy is given the opportunity to preach. Another kid with a striking resemblance to the young Harry Potter is the occasion for a lesson about the evils of witchcraft.

But these experiences pale in comparison to another of the camp exercises--prayer for and homage to the current president. At one point a life-size color cutout of George Bush is placed behind the podium, and the kids are instructed to pray for him. Viewers of the documentary are left to decide whether or not the distinction between praying for and praying to someone is carefully established in these campers' minds.

Jesus Camp's behind-the-scenes look at Kids on Fire summer camp challenges audiences to think about where education stops and indoctrination begins in religion. It also makes viewers reflect on what happens when ideology and emotion trump critical, reflective thinking in politics.

I sometimes wonder if this country's executive branch has tried to enroll the population in its own version of a Jesus camp? If so, I am happy to report it's not working. I've yet to go into my church and see a cardboard cutout of the current president set up for prayer and homage behind the ambo. I'll stick with a church tradition that educates instead of indoctrinates and encourages critical thinking over mindless ideology.

Take a pass on the Kids on Fire camp. But do see the documentary film Jesus Camp.

PETER GILMOUR ([e-mail]) teaches at the Institute of Pastoral Studies of Loyola University Chicago.