The Lord's Boot Camp

A First-Time Look At 700 Kids Training To Become Christian Missionaries

In the summer of 2007, Tabitha Taylor, Nicole Scrivener, and Valerie Smith were among the 700 kids who gave up the luxuries of iPods and cell phones to attend The Lord's Boot Camp. At the two-week, no-frills training camp in central Florida, the girls face physical and mental challenges as they prepare to embark on evangelical missions in the U.S. and Africa and spread the word of God.

"The Lord's Boot Camp," a collaboration between CBS News and Loki Films, producers of the Academy Award-nominated documentary "Jesus Camp," follows the three teens as they complete their training and go on evangelical missions here in the U.S. and abroad. (Read more...)

We assembled a panel of students from Staples High School in Westport, Conn., to watch "The Lord's Boot Camp" and to share their reactions. Watch their discussion below.

Meet The Panel



My Beliefs



So Firm In Their Beliefs



We Don't Get This

[rachellucky]

I am very interested to watch this documentary on The Lord''s Boot Camp. In the mid 80''s I served on three teams through Teen Missions. It was without doubt, the most eye-opening, positive, amazing expeience I could have had as a teen. By the time I was 16, I had traveled around the globe. I had learned how other cultures lived, I learned to live "without", and I learned how to give back to the world I live in....and that''s just the tip of the iceberg. I hope this is portrayed in the positive way it effected not only my life, but hundreds of thousands around the world.

[home8500]

I am so excited to see this documentary! Teen Missions is an awesome place. I spent three summers there and my life was changed by the experience. I met my husband on my second team and we have been married 14 years. My oldest son went on his first team 2 years ago and my middle child will be going this summer. PLEASE give this organization the POSITIVE recognition they deserve! There are so many negative ways for teens to spend their summer and this is such an awesome opportunity for them to have an eye-opening view of the rest of the world!

[wrldtravler]

Glad to see them do a documentary on this, so that people can see what happens when children get on fire for the Lord and how they think about other things besides themselves. We need more kids to get involved and help around there world and her as well and make a real difference, an eternal difference in the life of people.

[lori002002]

I was so excited to see this special on TV tonight. I''m sure the network and staff needed to go through so many hurdles in order for this show to air. A special thank you for all your hard work and dedication in getting the truth out. Lives WILL be changed tonight!

[capairman]

Oh this place is horible! Total brainwashing! If parents want their kids to have discipline, then they need to join the Civil Air Patrol and become a Cadet or the JROTC or something! They made them shovel rocks for goodness sake!

[nature1234]

For they young lady who commented that these kids were "fanatical just like any other religion," I would respond that doing good and spreading your message is dramatically different from blowing human beings to pieces in order to enforce your beliefs. These kids aren''t "forcing" anyone to believe anything. Moreover, they are helping others, and those others may choose to convert or not. There''s no beheading going on here. Think twice before you classify these people as "fanatical."

[meditatefor]

I''m watching this program as I type, and I''m trying to be openminded, but it looks like brainwashing to me!

It is wonderful to see so many teens willing to serve God and helping so many others

[romanhans]

This is absolutely horrifying. How sad when kids are taught not to think for themselves, but to believe what adults tell them. I hope these kids eventually wise up, but I''m sure when they finally do they''ll regret all the years lost believing in such superstition.

[simtec-2009]

Thank you CBS for putting something on the air that is close to our nation''s founding fathers intent. Intent was not a matter of converting but to be missionaries to the world and a light to the world.
Thanks you
mark

[christyad]

I''m glad that you are doing a story on this, but I don''t agree with you inviting others to come in afterward and argue about it. Can''t you just do the story and leave it be? I have a feeling if you showed any other religion, be it Judaism or Hinduism or anything else in a documentary, you would NOT want anyone to log on and start a "discussion". It seems that anything that has to do with Evangelical Christians is knocked from the beginning. It is a religion that is mocked and made fun of.

[rv1714]

This is an awesome program!!! I''m so glad to see teens giving back. I know their lives will be changed forever for the better.

[jmerc42]

THIS IS STRAIGHT UP BRAINWASHING OF THESE LITTLE KIDS!!

[jeb1092]

My teenage daughter and I are excited to be watching teens who love the Lord and serving others. What a great program!

[lbrooks31]

Awsome, thank you for showing that all kids are not bad, everybody has their own belief but they are doing something to bring hope to others, so many things we take for granted, like being able to express our own beliefs, being able to have food on our table every day.
to the above writer its not brain washing its just giving them some more hope
brooks
phila

[gigorgei]

Talked to others who are watching this. Some of us are emailing the ACLU and the FCC over this documentary. The abusive behavior to these human beings in both the teen camps and the senior citizen homes are can be used as evidence. By most modern day standards, this is calculated as both psychological and physical abuse. One has to ask themselves,"would I let someone talk to my mother or child like this?". Get involved; contact CBS, their investors are modern day business men who rely on science and the markets, they will listen and MUST FOLLOW THE LAWS, contact the friends, feeds are being posted to Youtube, most humans will be outraged at this, bottom line, GET INVOLVED!

[lbrooks31]

i think what is sad we watch worthless tv everyday with cursing and *** all day and you guys think this is ok on the tv , and we wonder why the kids turn out to be like some of them are....i would hope they not only limit themselves to africa but go ye therefore even in the united states where it is desperately needed. God is love

[k_lee15]

I think this is so awesome! God can change your life he has changed mine! and what they are doing is so inspirational.

[nature1234]

For they young lady who commented that these kids were "fanatical just like any other religion," I would respond that doing good and spreading your message is dramatically different from blowing human beings to pieces in order to enforce your beliefs. These kids aren''t "forcing" anyone to believe anything. Moreover, they are helping others, and those others may choose to convert or not. There''s no beheading going on here if someone chooses not to convert. Think twice before you classify these people as "fanatical." Here''s a little perspective for you: washing feet and talking about religion vs. cutting throats chopping human beings'' heads off. You decide if your comparison is accurate. The media has obviously rotted your young brain. Good luck in life.

[barnabus2u]

meditatefor, if you talk to hindu, muslim, mormon, etc. children, you would find them educated spiritually in the same way as the program you are watching. There was a young woman at the break who said that she would love to know the psychology behind what makes these people believe the way they do what they do. The psychology is belief in Jesus Christ. It is the same psychology that makes you believe what you do. The Bible says that if you don''t know Jesus, it sounds foolish to you.

[underdogus]

THIS IS STRAIGHT UP BRAINWASHING OF THESE LITTLE KIDS!!
Posted by jmerc42 ..HELLO SATAN!! how ya doing???

[dreamering]

I am appalled at this investigation. I guess 48 Hours thinks it is funny to make show parts of the show where they are making fun of Jewish persons by making them look like idiots. What these evangelist/fundamentalist camps are creating are child soldiers. They are breed for a "war against the nonbelievers." Not to mention they quote "urge others to convert from their own religions." Stop forcing your own views onto other people. This documentary was a one sided spew to show support for the evangelist majority. Next time you investigate something, do it on a worthwhile topic.

[cmahometech]

These children are taught that there is such a thing as absolute truth, a truth that applies to everyone. A person''s eternal destiny depends upon how each of us responds to that truth. It is not brainwashing if a person is taught truth, the reasons for that truth, and how to explain that truth to others. The physical difficulties of this camp are designed to encourage teamwork, just as other organizations utilize difficulty to build and strengthen a group''s identity as a team.

[k_lee15]

This is not abuse more kids need to learn respect hard work and humility, compassion for others, whats wrong with the world today that going to a camp and dedicating their lives to god is bad? Its awesome.

[mhester5]

We all are looking for purpose ... that is why Rick Warren''s book the Purpose Driven Life was such a big hit. Is there life after death? Is there a heaven or hell? Are there many roads that lead to heaven? Is Jesus the answer? or a big myth? I think we do have a purpose for this life ... and it is our obligatoin and responsiblity to seek the "truth"? I beleive if you seek the truth .. is there a God? Is there an after Live? Why am I here on this earth? If you seek the truth with all your heart, mind and soul ... you will find it ... Dr. Marc, Chicago, IL

[seltaeb28]

Has CBS run out of funds? Why are they showing another stupid reality show? I''m sick of fake reality TV. This is the sort of cheap stuff they have on cable. They should have aired this on one of those religious cable networks.

[darreth0104]

Did you know that there are people who believe crazy things... like that the world evolved from slime and other weird stuff!?!?!?!?! *GRIN* That''s OK... the Flying Spaghetti Monster will have mercy on all you non-believers!

[meditatefor]

I was truly appalled at the scene in the nursing home. Going to Africa seems to be a way to make the "rich kids" feel good about themselves.

[mstoutj]

I have known several young people that participated in this program many years ago. They have grown up to be wonderful human beings that care and are very responsible to taking care of others. They definitely are able to think on their own and they are intelligent, thoughtul individuals. I applaud CBS for having the courage to show this show in a world that really does not want to hear about Christians that love the Lord and others. Thanks!

[ellamonns]

Teen Missions is a great place- I''m 18 and I''ve been on 2 trips, to Africa and Asia. To people posting comments saying this is "brainwashing" or "child soldiers"...no it is not. Please, you can''t at all know what TMI is all about just from 40 minutes of film. Once you''ve spent 120 days with this organization, like I have, then you''ll know what you''re talking about. Teen Mission s is doing good for the children in this world and planting seeds all over.

[laura_laura1]

This show is nuts. I think that going to another country to help is great. The ''boot camp'' leading up to it is what scared me. I think it gives a perverse view of Christian people. Christians as a group are %u2018fake%u2019. It is the person I would rather talk to, not the salesperson. I can%u2019t believe they are teaching those children to use hell as a reason for turning to Christ. Scaring people into Christianity is not what it is suppose to be about. I want a relationship with Christ and if I am terrified into that relationship, it will have been built on a very unstable foundation.

[rv1714]

I''ve seen other documentaries on other religious views. I thank the LORD that CBS has shown the Christian belief as well.

God Bless freedom of speech, freedom of religion and may God continue to bless America!

[gigorgei]

Contact your political leaders and those in the businees industry. This was like Osma Bin Laden or Jim Jones stuff. I applaud CBS for exposing it. Wha they did in the Senior Center is illegal by medical standards. CBS has the evidence in this case.

[seesa1369]

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THIS ON TV.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT ALL KNOW ABOUT JESUS.
I THINK IT IS AWESOME THAT THERE IS A TRAINING
CAMP FOR TEENS WHO WANT TO GO OUT ON MISSIONS
FOR JESUS. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, HOW CAN THEY HEAR
WITHOUT SOMEONE PREACHING TO THEM? ROMANS 10:14
THESE KIDS ARE BRINGING THE MOST PRECIOUS THING
TO OTHERS WHICH IS A CHANCE AT ETERNAL LIFE WITH
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST......THANKS ONCE AGAIN FOR
AIRING THIS STORY. GOD BLESS.

[simtec-2009]

Contact your political leaders and those in the businees industry. Tell them how much you thank them for supporting CBS for good family programming. Especially showing the freedom of reliogion rights that were granted to us from our forefathers.

[seesa1369]

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THIS ON TV.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT ALL KNOW ABOUT JESUS.
I THINK IT IS AWESOME THAT THERE IS A TRAINING
CAMP FOR TEENS WHO WANT TO GO OUT ON MISSIONS
FOR JESUS. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, HOW CAN THEY HEAR
WITHOUT SOMEONE PREACHING TO THEM? ROMANS 10:14
THESE KIDS ARE BRINGING THE MOST PRECIOUS THING
TO OTHERS WHICH IS A CHANCE AT ETERNAL LIFE WITH
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST......THANKS ONCE AGAIN FOR
AIRING THIS STORY. GOD BLESS.

[girlthegreat]

I suppose that there is some good that comes out of these boot camps but in saying that I don%u2019t really feel that the good out-weighs the terrible brainwashing that goes on. Why is it that these people who say that they care so much, cannot just do things for the sole reason of doing good for others? There always has to be an underling reason and we all know what that is.. to convert others. What does that sound like to you? CULT! HELLO! I mean what is wrong with these people. I am sitting here watching this trying to be positive and see the good that they are doing. All of that disappears when I hear a girl say that the hardest thing for her to do is to forget evolution. I have also seen the documentary Jesus Camp and it was equally disturbing. These people actually believe in heaven and hell? What century is this? Are they going to be jousting out back and pulling in the draw bridge next? We wonder why the education of Americans is quickly declining, maybe if they were well versed in Science and Math they would question these cult-like practices and make more since of evolution. How do you explain dinosaurs?

it''s great to see youth wanting to serve God and are not brainwashed, but really want to serve others.

[reggiet08]

its good keepig kids outof trouble but at the same time they are brain washing them thinking its a such thing of heaven an hell whic nobody never prove i think they need to stop lying to those kids long u believe in god

[jeb1092]

I don''t see it as brainwashing. Children are exposed to so many negative things through "entertainment" and they are robbed of their innocence. It''s funny people don''t consider all of the sexual innuendo and vioilence BRAINWASHING! Someone who does not have a relationship with Jesus may not understand how He loves them. Our youth need know that Jesus loves them. There are so many things meant to destroy them spiritually. Pray for our youth!

[psterlingb]

As a Christian I am both excited and perplexed by the show. I believe that sharing the message, love, hope, grace, forgiveness, compassion, etc. of Jesus is natural for followers of Christ. The methods shown in the show are methods popularized in the 70s -90s and are anything but "natural". The kids pray with elderly to receive Christ then rush to get a form to fill out. ? I am personally very "evangelistic" but hope my interest in people is genuine and not reduced to numbers and conversions alone. Christ followers should share their faith -- but how we respond to people who have heard the message of Christ and said "No" will reveal if our love for people is truly reflective of Christ''s love for them or if our "love" is only a commoditity to be traded or withheld based on conversion.

[bloodyblessf]

Hey all it is refreshing to see teens involved in God. Reminds of me and my teen years. Yes we are in a rut, it is due to taking God out of things that we are involved in, and the contrasting different views of the faiths its scary the division that is all around. (exmaple...one church says there is one God another church says there is two and even another says three) Know a house divided against itself will fall as so to repeat yes we are in a rut that says live eat and go go go with out stopping to show God a little love we dont think of the places we could go (Heaven or hell) but instead we make plans of flesh and such. On the money we say "In God we trust" but do we really? Trust God i would say no we have lost our first love and are in danger of falling in to a deeper rut of Godless behaviour....So i challenge you as well as myself reach out to God and let us begin to love Him before it is too late.

I am sorry for my sign in name it was made4 long ago for the pirate show i tried to change it but could not.

God Blessings to all and remember Jesus is coming soon

[psterlingb]

One comment about the girl on the panel who stated something like "Other people have their own truths". What a common, politically correct and growing "Oprah-ish" statement. How can there be more than one truth? Soe believe there is one God -- others believe in many gods: how can both be right? Many faiths make exclusive claims to salvation and eternal life and profess all others are wrong and the followers of other faiths are condemned-- how can they all be exculsive and yet all be right? The contradictions are extreme - yet how can they be right? One says black, another says white. Either one is true and the other is not or neither is true- BUT BOTH CANNOT BE TRUE.

Saying there is more than one truth is an intellectual cop-op and spiritually, intellectually lazy!

[cbslogin01]

My husband and I were absolutely appalled with CBS for airing this show. I have never seen such blatant bigotry and hatred as was presented on this show this evening. It is an embarrassment to your station and an embarrassment to all Americans to have such a horrifying situation shown in prime time on national television. If this show portrayed any religion other than Christianity, it would be labeled as brainwashing and a cult situation which we would remove children from immediately. I was most horrified to hear how the children were taught to go after Jews and how they went to see elderly people who just wanted someone to talk to because they were lonely and instead these horrible children were mean and verbally aggressive with them. I may never watch CBS again after the airing of this show and I hope others who have posted here will follow up with their recommendation to contact the ACLU, FCC so that something like this is NEVER aired in this country again.

[kathy307]

The "Boot Camp" reminded me of Jim Jones''s private little "boot camp" to hell.
Devotion is a wonderful thing but if it''s blind and see''s no other option but their option their way then it becomes dangerous.

[darreth0104]

Did you notice that one of the first things the "Man" who founded this said was "We use (USE) children because everyone likes children!"... the use of children is a very powerful propaganda tool!!!!

[drjosh1]

"This is not abuse more kids need to learn respect hard work and humility, compassion for others, whats wrong with the world today that going to a camp and dedicating their lives to god is bad? Its awesome. "

Correct me if I am wrong, but, don''t evangelists hate homosexuals and condem them? Are homosexuals not these "others" that you speak of?

What ever happened to

"O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same thing."- Romans 2

I will use scripture against hate, am I a sinner?

[capairman]

I am so glad people got to see how wrong this is! They are taught not to think for themselves! This program sucks! Contact CBS and tell them it sucks!

[mattinmn]

Other then the some of the gospel message lacking such as the "hole in your heart" it is good to see a positive portrayal of Christianity. Most of the time Christians are shown as a bunch of hypocrites and pedophiles by the networks. One person on the show said everyone has their own truth. That is false. Everyone may have their own preferences such as their favorite ice cream but truth like Jesus being the only way to heaven is either true for everyone or no one. For example if I believe I can run in front of moving trucks and not get hurt that will not make it so. I still would get hurt no matter how much faith I have. Same goes with the afterlife. Belief does not form reality.

[gigorgei]

Just like the Mormon compounds, modern day society will put these abusive humans behind bars. For all you scared, no worries, studies outline how fast religion is dying in the West, they can''t keep up with science. This will be used as evidence to put people behind bars.