I have to say something about this. The more I think about it, the more it drives me crazy. I do not mean to offend, but can you see where I'm coming from?
The annual Father's and Son's Campout in our ward is in 2 weeks.
They are considering watching a movie...
... on an outdoor screen on their one night there.
A few years ago they watched King Kong. It ended up bothering some people. It IS PG-13. I looked at the parent guide on the imdb to see what the uproar was about. You can have a look for yourself here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0360717/parentalguide. It was understandably not a good choice especially since there is no restriction on the age of children attending. Some of them are quite young (let alone the fact that it is a church activity).
I don't believe they've watched a movie since, but it's up for discussion again. Can I just say - why is this even being considered?!? Are we so attached to our media that we would be horribly bored for ONE night in the outdoors? I would be better able to understand if it were a multi-night thing and a movie was planned for one of those nights, but this is ONLY ONE NIGHT!
I assume that the purpose of doing this campout is to create memories, strengthen relationships and learn skills. Watching a movie is often a poor choice even for a date when you're getting to know someone. You don't communicate. You are only spending passive time together. What happened to sitting around the campfire, telling folklore stories, playing games, whittling sticks? That would create memories. Who knows, maybe it could even pass off some scout requirements. Imagine that.
It is also about setting an example. It's a time to show your children respect and love for this beautiful world. How can that happen in front of a movie screen? (Well, I guess you could watch Planet Earth.)
Last summer we had a really fun ward movie night in a backyard. It WAS fun to watch a movie outside. It was the right venue. That's what we were there for.
I know that I for one (were I a father), would choose NOT to go if a movie were the activity of choice. Camping takes way too much effort to waste that time in nature on a movie!
Can you see why I would be bothered? Or do you think it's a harmless activity?
Let me know, if you dare.
17 comments:
YOU GO GIRL! I couldn't agree with you more. While I love a good popcorn flick, I think they have their time and place. What happened to songs around the campfire and roasting marshmallows? Or a great night hike to explore the world in the dark? The boys can watch movies at home with dad, let the campout be that: CAMPING!!!
O SNAP!
(you did ask for comments, right, I am not just ranting on my own accord....)
Wow! that is a strong opinion. Let me 'splain. The movie is actually a fairly regular part of the father and son camp out for our ward. The movie usually begins late in the evening (probably around 9:30 or 10 PM) and runs until done. That time is after most other camp activities are completed. Before the move there is time for activities, for games, for making meals together (or buying a meal from Shane or Ben), for gathering around a table or camp area and talking. It is only one event of an evening, albeit the event or the evening that requires the most work. There are other organized and free-form activities going on earlier in the evening and the next morning.
Honestly, I think only a handful of people watch the movie anyway. The last one I went to there was a conversation group, a group of kids running around, and a group watching the movie. Yes, all simultaneous.
I think that it's an okay event, but then I'm a guy.
Oh, and would it sway your opinion at all if you found out that we're considering a video to build on the theme of Aaronic Priesthood Restoration, on which we'll have a fireseide earlier in the evening? Or maybe we'll go with Planet Earth Deserts to teach the kids about the area we're camping in.
Follow up comment: King Kong was an unfortunate choice, I agree. However, other years have been far more appropriate: Johnny Lingo, and other stuff like that.
Johnny Lingo? Bwahahahhahaaaaa..
Thanks Kevin for the insight....though I still hold my ground. :)
Thanks for commenting Jocelyn. Nice to see you here too.
What?! I thought I turned off word verification for my comments. What a pain.
I agree. But you are dealing with men who would love to set up all their technology in the wild. It's just how they are made.
I totally agree. But you already knew that.
Hey malisa- I'm linking to you from your facebook page.
So 1- I agree with you on the movie thing. Maybe its a Mom thing?
2- I loved watching Isaac's hair bounce as he ran today. Its so pretty and shiney. Gotta love red heads.
Now I know where you're at, I'll check back to keep up with you better ;)
I agree, a movie at a campout is lame. Especially since it is only one night. King-Kong seriously??? Now that is bad.
I agree 100%. They might as well stay home and watch it in someones backyard!!
There are two things going on in your argument... content and process. Towards which windmill are you really tilting?
Ben
LOL! I agree with you! I've never watched a movie while camping, but then again that is much safer than building huge fires, which 2 of your brother-in-laws do when they go camping. So, now I'm thinking that I need to bring a DVD if I ever go camping with them again. This took a turn I hadn't expected. Now I'm conflicted. Safety or movie. No, I still believe movies are wrong while camping. Maybe tell ghost stories around the fire or something. Make it memorable, not mind numbing with a movie.
There are two things you're debating here, right? The content of the previous movie and the concept of watching a movie at all. Here's my take: I completely agree with the King Kong movie being a bad choice that was probably not completely approved through all the right channels. Were it to be a movie pertaining to a gospel theme such as the one it sounds like is being suggested as a later activity- not THE activity for the night, I can actually see it being a memorable and constructive activity. We've done outdoor movies at family reunions (which I was very skeptical of when they were suggested), but it's turned out to be a much different experience than watching one at home. Reminiscent of going to the drive-in movie theater, which is one of my favorite activities from my childhood. The ones we watched were not gospel-centered as they were just for fun. But can you imagine watching a movie about the first vision when you're surrounded by trees? To me, it's only a worthwhile activity in this setting if it's an inspirational/spiritually uplifting movie. Good for you for speaking out about something that obviously wasn't the best choice in the past.
I see where you’re coming from. I want my kids to learn to love nature the same way I do – but it’s already difficult enough in our busy lives. So you’d think on a father and son outing you know…what happened to a little Kumbaya around the campfire with marshmallows, followed by a teary-eyed testimony meeting? That way everyone goes to bed with a good feeling in their heart, instead of the fear that Godzilla is going to eat them up in their sleeping bag.
Malisa, thanks again for helping with the house on Saturday – we really appreciate it! When can we get together?
Wow! I'm with you sistah! I was thinking just today..."Nothing beats being outdoors!" We have enough media in our day-to-day lives! (A religious movie to tie in with a devotional...well, that's another story I guess!) And...thank you for your very kind (overly kind) comment on my blog! I would LOVE to have you move by us...you wouldn't have to change one bit! You are great!
I would just like to say a few things about this subject since it seems as though it is a bit one sided and doesn't have all the facts. First of all you know how I feel about movies at church events. I have quite an opion about this because I think we have to be very careful what we view at church activities. Like my husband said: " people can watch whatever they choose on their own time but at church events we can't watch hardly anything". I would like to defend my husband by saying that when King Kong was viewed he was not the Bishop and when he was called he said that movies were not something he wanted to have at activities. But, they have been discussing watching "How Rare A Possession" (a Book of Mormon movie) and having the Priest age boys do a fireside before the viewing. Secondly, Hong Kong shouldn't have been shown, but we all make mistakes. Thirdly, it takes a lot of time, effort and planning to prepare these events and most people do not want to and WON'T help or participate in the planning. So, we have to remember that this is volunteer and we can choose to participate or not. And, Kev is right about the activities of the evening taking place before the movie. It generlly starts late into the evening and some have gone to bed, especially kids. It is not the main event of the evening. Sorry, it just seems as though the subject is being criticized without all the facts, so there they are.
I agree with Natalie... I think that it is a fine this for a late night activity as long as it has a gospel message. Plus Father Son campouts have such a range of ages that you would spend months trying to plan an activity for each age group that would be there or might be there. We go camping with my family and we plan a movie night each time we are up there... I think it is great to be out under the stars enjoying nature while watching a movie. Those are some on my fondest memories of my family time.
Wow... all this about movies? I think the movie sounds like fun... gospel-centered or not. (Probably more so, if it's not a religious movie....) Would something like "Cars" or "Jump In" be so bad? Boys young and old could enjoy those.... how about "Eight Below?" (I hesitated to include any titles, because surely someone will be able to find fault with these.... but oh well.)
I think that not only would viewing the movie be an "optional" activity, but so is the campout itself. I think that while some people (myself included) love the outdoors and do not need a movie to be entertained while camping, I also know that not everyone feels this way and some people might be enticed to go "camping" if they know that there will something more to their liking... remember this campout is not just for Dads of "little kids." There will be teenagers there, too. If it's all about being in the "wild," then maybe we should ask all the RV'ers to stay home and only "true" campers come to experience the outdoors. Now that's a whole other can of worms.
Oh wait, better yet, maybe we should let everyone come and do whatever activity it is that they enjoy, so that can spend some quality time with their family and friends..... even if that means some of them watch a movie.... that's my two-cents worth. Thanks for asking.
Post a Comment