Camp Modesty Unfiltered
Camp Modesty: Unfiltered, Sunburned, and Slightly Over‑It
Alyssa Unfiltered – Because packing lists shouldn’t include shame.
Ah, church camp: the place where mosquitoes thrive, cafeteria pizza counts as a balanced diet, and someone always cries during worship night.
It’s also where many of us got our first real taste of evangelical modesty rules: “girls, cover up so the boys don’t stumble,” “no shoulders or the boys will lust,” and the ever‑iconic “T‑shirts over swimsuits or you’re sitting out.”
After reading Evan’s blog post (You can read it for yourself HERE) on why that culture can be harmful, I felt called (in the non‑cringe sense) to weigh in. Spoiler: I agree with a lot of what he said—but I’ve also got receipts, petty jokes, and some practical takes.
The Good – Things I Actually Loved About Cam
When you’re under the stars, singing “Oceans,” and your best friend is ugly‑crying next to you—yeah, God feels close.
Nothing bonds you like putting on a rank vest that reaks of body order from several middle schoolers and pulling your friends into a garbage can. For those not familiar with this concept, this is called can-can.
Sharing testimonies until 2 a.m. built friendships that outlasted crush drama and fingertip-length shorts. And also the confessions that we had to go quiet over when our group leaders walked in...
The Bad – Where Modesty Culture Goes Off the Rails
Rule Lists Longer Than Leviticus“One‑piece swimsuits only, no low backs, dark shirt over top, must stay knee‑length when wet.”—Sis, by the time I follow your dress code, I’m swimming in a Victorian mourning gown. Just kidding, the dress code wasn't that strict, but you get the point.
News flash: teenage guys will still notice girls if we’re wearing burlap sacks. Maybe teach them respect instead of policing our shoulders? Wild concept, I know. But we can try can't we...
Somehow my salvation was secure… until I wore a tank top and spandex. Make it make sense.
Hot Takes (But Make Them Constructive)
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“Stumbling block” shouldn’t be weaponized against 14‑year‑old girls still figuring out body image.
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Boys deserve higher expectations than “peekaboo shoulders will destroy me.”
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If modesty is truly “for everyone,” then apply the rules equally. (Hello, dudes, sagging shorts halfway down? Anyone?)
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God designed bodies; bodies aren’t the problem—objectification is. Can I get an amen?
The Real Talk – Why This Matters
Church camp should be about meeting Jesus, building friendships, and maybe conquering the high‑ropes course, not obsessing over whether your shorts show an extra inch of thigh.
When modesty guidance turns into body‑shame Olympics, we teach teens that covering up is holier than character, that lust is girls’ fault, and that guys can’t possibly control themselves. Spoiler: they can—and must.
Does modesty (in the sense of humility and respect) still matter? Absolutely. But let’s root it in mutual dignity, not fear. Equip students to honor God and each other, without panic about tank‑top straps.
Final Thought
If camp culture left you feeling like your worth depended on sleeve length, know this: you are already worthy. Clothes don’t change that. Jesus paid too high a price for us to measure holiness by hemlines.
So here’s to rewriting the rules, roasting the outdated ones, and making sure the next generation leaves camp sunburned, but not shamed.
Till next time,
— Alyssa 🦩
P.S. Got a camp‑modesty horror story or a place that does it well? Drop it in the comments. Let’s swap tales (and maybe swap dress codes, too).
I gotta say I really enjoyed reading your take on this. It’s a topic that makes me grit my teeth, but I believe addressing the imbalances is very important.
ReplyDelete(And by the way, thanks for sharing my personal post here with your readers. You’re awesome.)
No problem Evan, anything to help a fellow blogger. I'm glad you enjoyed it. You definitly inspired me and i hope that this blog helps someone. Or at least allows tank tops next year for my church. If ykyk...
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