There is an actual McDonald's summer camp for elementary school children in the Philippines. Called the Kiddie Crew Workshop. What the holy hell.
The website reads:
The McDonald's Kiddie Crew Workshop is a 5-day summer program specially designed for kids 6-12 years old. During each workshop day, Kiddie Crew members will get to experience on-floor training like greeting customers and assisting the crew at the drive-thru and front counters; showcase their skills through creative art workshops; and learn the importance of hard work, discipline and teamwork, through values formations lessons.
Once a child has completed the "workshop" (labor camp), he or she can pick up their Kiddie Crew Club Card which entitles the cardholder to a "freebie" of the month, however the cardholder must "meet the required purchase requirements for each category to qualify for the redemption of featured freebies." Freebies include a bonus toy with a Happy Meal, a McSpaghetti Meal on the kid's birthday, and a free ice cream cone when you've spent enough money at the chain.
It seems that if a potentially impoverished child doesn't have anything to do in the daytime during summer vacation, this is a good option for parents -- not only are the children kept busy, but they will get free treats in the future. Meanwhile, the disadvantaged kid is indoctrinated with the chain's "values" and actually putting in full days of work with no pay.
This a promotional video:
Salon has reached out to McDonald's for comment.
h/t Weighty Matters
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