The Hunger Games trilogy has brought forth a plethora of emotions since it became the next big thing a few years ago. Reactions have ranged from outrage to intrigue to utter obsession.
Then there are the few (the proud) who upon completion of the series thought, “That’d be an awesome summer camp!”
For you special people (because there’s no other (polite) term for someone who thinks that modeling a children’s summer camp after the Hunger Games is a good idea) who decided this was a good idea, let me explain the concept of escapism and suspension of disbelief.
I don’t want to speak for the author, but I think it’s safe to assume that Suzanne Collins did not hope to inspire imitation.
Before I go further, I will add that no children are actually killed in this camp, which is hosted by Country Day School in Largo, Florida. The campers collect flags, which don’t represent “killing” but “collecting lives.” Because that technicality in rhetoric makes all the difference.
The point of the Hunger Games series was that the games were an affront to humanity, a punishment inflicted by a cruel government on a group of people to keep them living in fear. No amount of arguing semantics removes that from the equation.
The school defends the theme saying that the camp, “promotes teamwork. ” Yes, I’m sure it’s sweet to see groups of kids team up to beat up on the other kids. I have one question: Was “Bullying for Beginners” taken when the time came to name your camp?
Not sure the odds were ever in your favor on this one guys.
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Gawker: Florida’s Hunger Games Themed Camp for Kids is Insane
…bi-daily smile…
