From the Directors

The summer of 2022 found campers focusing on eight words from Jesus, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Through the lives of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Francis of Assisi, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Mother Teresa, the Apostles, Blessed Carlo Acutis, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the North American Martyrs, and so many more campers were able to explore how to live our faith in a way that is meaningful to them.

At one point, counselors handed out post its and campers were asked to anonymously write a word describing who Jesus was to them. We had a variety of answers such as: friend, confidant, Father, ruler, King of Kings, and love. So many answers were insightful and offered a glimpse into their young but deep spiritual lives. Every night we chose a few to talk about and to take time to realize that our Lord is many things to many people. At the end of the week we wrapped up by sharing ways that Jesus revealed Himself to us during our time at camp. Then, in a highly anticipated and very campy moment, Jesus was revealed to the campers in return by removing the veil (a box) that had been keeping a statue of Him from sight.

Campers participated in many forms of prayer including Praise and Worship, daily Divine Mercy Chaplets, Mass or a prayer service, small group discussions, spontaneous prayer, the Rosary, and more.

Our goal is to continue to provide authentic encounters of faith in nature and through the hard work and witness of the Catholic Youth Camp staff and community-we nailed it. So that when we get asked who Christ is to us or what the reason for our hope is, our answers point back to him.

On a closing note: we want to sincerely thank everyone who made our 75th year possible. We could not have done it without you. 

-Augusta McMonigal