Some parents are putting Chick-fil-A in the hot seat over a Louisiana location’s controversial summer camp, which aims to teach kids applicable life skills in a unique environment. The camp, hosted by the Chick-fil-A in Hammond, Louisiana, has stirred a heated debate, raising questions about child labor and educational opportunities.
Beloved TV host of “Dirty Jobs” Mike Rowe, reacted to the one-of-a-kind camp during an appearance on “Varney & Co.,” pushing back on the accusation that the camp should be considered “child labor.” Rowe, known for his advocacy of blue-collar jobs and practical skills, defended the initiative, emphasizing the importance of such experiences for young people.
The Chick-fil-A franchise in Hammond will open its doors to children aged 5 through 12 for the “Chick-fil-A Summer Camp” sessions running from July 15-17 and July 22-24. The camp fee is $35 per session, making it accessible for many families. According to a recent Facebook post, campers will have the opportunity to meet the Chick-fil-A mascot, interact with team leaders, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the brand’s renowned hospitality.
During his discussion with Stuart Varney, Rowe expressed his frustration with the current state of education, pointing out the removal of essential subjects like Home Economics, shop, and financial literacy from public schools. “What did we think was going to happen when we took Home Ec, shop, and basic financial literacy out of the public schools? Sooner or later, somebody is going to step up and say, ‘we have to inculcate these ideas into the next generation,’” Rowe said.
Rowe praised Chick-fil-A for stepping up to fill this educational gap, stating, “If Chick-fil-A is going to be part of leading that charge, God bless them. There’s somebody [that] has to step in to do this. Soft skills, basic common sense, all of that stuff is still for sale and, sadly, lacking.”
The Chick-fil-A location had earlier shared an announcement detailing the camp’s activities, which include learning dining room host and customer service skills, taking and bagging guest orders, touring the kitchen, and making their own ice cream cones or cups. Despite the camp’s focus on practical skills, the announcement quickly drew criticism from some parents, who accused the restaurant of exploiting the kids and taking advantage of them by putting the campers to work. The post received thousands of comments, with one user even tagging the Labor Department.
However, not everyone is against the camp. Some parents showed interest and defended the fast food location, highlighting the importance of learning “soft skills” for a child’s development both mentally and socially. Rowe elaborated on this point, noting that the U.S. is currently suffering from a shortage of trade workers, a trend that has plagued the labor sector for a long time. “It’s not just a skill gap, it’s a will gap,” he said. Rowe argued that the next generation is rejuvenating the labor sector with a renewed enthusiasm for blue-collar jobs.
Despite the controversy, the 200-spot summer camp sold out in just seven minutes, according to a Chick-fil-A representative. This swift sell-out indicates a strong interest from parents who see value in the camp’s unique approach to teaching life skills.
In the end, the debate over Chick-fil-A’s summer camp highlights a sign of the times. Apparenlty some parents would rather their kids sitting at home playing videos games then picking up a skill and learning how the business world works.
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