Louisiana Chick-fil-A Launches Controversial 'Summer Camp'

One Chick-fil-A location is sparking up an internet debate after launching a new summer camp program, where parents can pay to send their kids to the popular fast food restaurant for a day.

A post shared on Reddit this week detailed an opportunity at a Chick-fil-A location in Hammond, Lousiana, where children ages 5-12 can learn what it's like to work at Chick-fil-A. With three sessions throughout July to choose from, the Hammond location will be taking 30 kids per session and charging $35 per child.

The Chick-fil-A Summer Camp boasts a number of activities for kids to participate in, and the $35 fee also includes one kid's meal, a T-shirt, name, tag and a snack for each child who signs up.

A screenshot of a seemingly now-deleted post suggested that kids who attend would gain customer service skills during the camp by "taking guest orders, bagging meals, boxing up nuggets and making Icedream cones." There reportedly would also be an opportunity for kids to tour the kitchen and even meet the mascot. Nearly identical language was also found in a public listing for a Houston-area Chick-fil-A running a similar program.

That said, a Chick-fil-A rep went on the record with ABC News explaining that the restaurant staff are the only ones making any food and that the children are not doing any work of a hired team member. The company also confirmed that it is not a corporate program and the locally-owned chains are encouraged to engage with their communities however they see fit.

But as soon as the news hit the internet, social media users had mixed feelings about the camp, with some people raising their eyebrows at the fact that parents would pay to have their child hang out at the restaurant.

"Sounds like child labor disguised as summer camp," one critic wrote under an Instagram post about the announcement.

Someone else wondered, "What 5 year old wants to 'work' at a chick fil a during the summer 🤨🤨😑😑."

Other users found issues with the age group of potential campers, insisting that 5 years old is too young to be in a kitchen with "dangerous" equipment. Plus, some people wanted to know more about the people supervising the children during the camp sessions.

"You lost me at ages 5-12," one person wrote on Instagram, while someone else on Reddit joked, "Anything to get the kids out of the house huh."

"The children yearn for the deep fryers," someone else sarcastically added.

But even amid the criticism, there were plenty of social media users who saw no issue with the opportunity, as many argued that it was a good idea for an inexpensive summer camp.

"I'm sure [a lot] of parents would love this opportunity. Child care is expensive," someone in the Instagram comments pointed out, while another user called it a "steal," considering the $35 fee also includes lunch for the kids.

"Sounds affordable and fun to me. Obviously they won’t be doing the full work of real employees. I bet kids would really think that was cool," another optimistic user wrote.

Many parents in the area seem to agree, as the location revealed in a Facebook post that it has closed registration due to an "overwhelming response" and is considering expanding the program with more sessions.

Next: Chick-fil-A Milkshake That Fans Want ‘on the Menu Full Time’ Set to Return This Summer