Chick-fil-A’s Summer Camp for Kids Sparks Debate in Louisiana

A Chick-fil-A franchise in Hammond, Louisiana, has sparked a mixture of intrigue and controversy with its new offering: Chick-fil-A Summer Camp for children. The program, announced on June 5, invites kids ages 5 to 12 to participate in a three-hour session for $35. Each session includes a kids meal, T-shirt, name tag, and snack and offers activities such as spending “some time with the Chick-fil-A Cow and Chick-fil-A Team Leaders” and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the franchise’s operations.

Initially, the West Hammond location scheduled three sessions, each accommodating 30 children. The overwhelming response saw all slots filled within an hour, prompting the addition of three more sessions on June 6. This enthusiastic reception underscores the camp’s immediate popularity, but it also ignited a heated debate online.

Critics took to the comments section of the announcement post, labeling the initiative as inappropriate and even exploitative. Concerns ranged from the camp being a guise for child labor to questioning the qualifications of Chick-fil-A staff to supervise children effectively. Some comments invoked dystopian imagery, arguing that children should focus on traditional childhood activities like reading, playing sports, and exploring nature instead of participating in corporate-run camps.

Chick-fil-A responded to the controversy by clarifying that the summer camp does not involve children performing the tasks of team members. The company stated that employees acting as camp counselors would not engage in their regular duties but would focus on activities specifically designed for the campers.

While some parents voiced strong objections, others expressed excitement and appreciation for the camp, viewing it as a fun and educational opportunity for their children.

Supporters defended the program, highlighting its potential to teach children about work ethics and responsibility in a playful environment. Some parents shared their eagerness by mentioning that they had signed up their kids, while others applauded Chick-fil-A for fostering community engagement through creative initiatives.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Chick-fil-A has ventured into the realm of summer camps. A Houston-area Chick-fil-A has been running a similar program for six years, offering activities like bingo and trivia. Despite selling out quickly, Chick-fil-A maintains that these camps are not profitable and are created by local franchise owners to engage with their communities.