Louisiana Chick-fil-A Launches Controversial Summer Camp for Children; Public Reaction Mixed.
A Chick-fil-A franchise in Hammond, Louisiana, is facing criticism for its new summer camp program, which teaches children aged 5 to 12 how to work at the restaurant. Priced at $35 per session, the initiative has sparked a debate, with some labeling it “child labor” while others eagerly enroll their children.
On June 5, the Hammond Chick-fil-A, located about 45 miles northwest of New Orleans, announced its “very first” summer camp on Facebook. The program offers children a “behind-the-scenes look” at the fast-food restaurant.
For a one-time fee of $35, participants receive a kid’s meal, T-shirt, name tag, and snack during the three-hour camp. The program quickly gained popularity, prompting the store to add more slots within 24 hours of the announcement.
By June 7, the camp was fully booked. Chick-fil-A reminded parents and guardians to check their emails for payment links if they had signed up. The sessions are scheduled to start in the third week of July.
The announcement sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some users expressed concern about the concept of a summer camp involving children working.
“When I was a kid, we didn’t go to child labor camps,” commented Michael Thomas. “We went to actual summer camp … swimming in a lake, riding horses, archery, campfires, and s’mores.”
USA TODAY reached out to the franchisee and national spokespeople for Chick-fil-A but did not receive a response.