Welcome to Catholic Youth Camp
The only overnight Catholic summer camp in Minnesota, CYC has offered a quality Catholic camping experience on Big Sandy Lake since 1947 – a place where kids unplug, connect with God and make friends.
Get involved
2027 registration opening soon
Registration for summer 2027 opens October 1, 2026.
Give to CYC
Help financially support our missionaries, camper scholarships, and other needs of Catholic Youth Camp.
Serve with CYC
Service opportunities for summer 2027 are opening soon!
80 summers of faith, friendship & fun
In 2027 CYC celebrates 80 years as a Catholic summer camp in Minnesota. Thank you for being part of the story.
1947
founded by Fr. Jack Sweeney
Ages 8–17
overnight camp programs
6 sessions
planned for summer 2027
20,000+
campers served
Why families choose CYC
Sending your child to camp is a big step. Here’s how we care for them while they’re with us.
Faith at the center
Campers share daily prayer, Scripture, worship and opportunities to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Screened, trained staff
Every staff member is interviewed, background-checked, VIRTUS trained and Red Cross CPR and First Aid certified, then receives training tailored to their role.
Care around the clock
A trained healthcare professional is on staff every week, day and night. If your child is sick, hurt or homesick, we call you.
Stay in touch
Email your camper through your registration account – emails and letters are handed out every day.
We dropped off a kid who needed three reminders to put her phone down. A week later we picked up a sunburned, mosquito-bitten, grinning kid who led grace at dinner and asked if she could stay two weeks next summer. I don’t know what’s in Big Sandy Lake, but I’d bottle it if I could.
A CYC mom
Activities
What do you like to do for fun? Maybe you like to swim, do arts and crafts, play sports or just spend time with your friends. With many summer camp activities at CYC, you can do all of that and more!
Where Faith Takes Root
Where faith takes root in the great outdoors, campers encounter God through daily prayer, Scripture, the Saints, the Rosary and Catholic teaching. When a priest is with us, campers may also experience Mass, Adoration and Confession.
Connect with us
Follow along for camp photos, news and registration updates.