Moments & Memories

Catholic Youth Camp changes lives

Since 1947, Catholic Youth Camp has been providing faith-based traditional camp programming for youth. Campers live in cabins divided by age and gender for week-long camp sessions. Campers start every day after breakfast with morning prayer – a time to sing praise to God, hear an important lesson grounded in the Catholic faith, engage with an activity based in the Gospel, and pray together to begin their day. Then they enjoy activities like paddle boarding, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, arts and crafts, campfires, water games and group games.

In mid-afternoon all campers come together to pray the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet before grabbing snacks from the camp store and having some free time to swing in hammocks, skip rocks, play gaga ball or just hang out in God’s creation, freely being kids. Campers end their day with evening prayer, a time to hear a testimony from a staff member and share gratitude for where they have seen God at work – often closed by singing the camp classic, “Sanctuary.”

Summer 2026 by the numbers

God stories from camp

One child’s profound prayer

Sometimes, God uses the smallest voices to remind us why summer at CYC and our mission matters. One evening this summer, a counselor asked a young boy how he could pray for him. This was a routine part of CYC’s weekly prayer night when all counselors would take time to pray one on one with their campers. Without hesitation, the boy replied, “I want a better understanding of Mother Mary.” At an age when most kids are unsure how to ask for prayer, this young camper’s heart was reaching for something eternal. How does a child come to ask for such a profound gift? It’s the quiet work of the Holy Spirit – and the sacred space Catholic Youth Camp provides. In the safety of a Christ-centered community, guided by faithful counselors, this boy felt free to seek out a deeper relationship with God and our Blessed Mother.

Shepherded with grace

An energetic 11-year-old boy arrived this summer for one of three sessions bursting with pre-teen restlessness, his mischief and awkward attempts at humor often crossing the line and even grating on his cabin mates. During this boy’s second week at camp his 70+ year old counselor, seasoned in patience and grace, quietly stepped in – not with harsh correction, but with steady prayer, gentle guidance, and genuine respect for the boy’s heart. By the third week, the investments of the weeks before began to bear fruit: the boy’s rough edges softened, kindness replaced disruption, and he discovered joy in honoring others. By his final week, transformed and thoughtful, he sat with his counselor and, with the innocence and sincerity of childhood, confided that even now he was discerning a call to the priesthood.

God breathes life through inhalers

Many parents reluctantly drop off their children at camp, especially if it’s the first time a kid is an overnight camper. One sweet set of parents dropped off their 8-year-old daughter for her very first week at Catholic Youth Camp, a place still rebuilding and perhaps, from the outside, appearing fragile – yet pressing forward and faithfully functioning on trust in God’s provision. Within 24 hours the girl struggled with severe breathing trouble from seasonal allergies, smoke, and heavy humidity – so much so that she could no longer speak. As the child had no history of asthma, the camp director and a retired pediatrician called the parents for approval and then took their daughter to the hospital. There she bravely endured IVs and a blood draw with remarkable courage, never shedding a tear. When her father arrived, doctors explained she had likely developed asthma and provided her with an inhaler for the first time.

As it was now incredibly late, and driving back to the cities was not an option, dad was invited back to camp to spend the night with his daughter. To everyone’s surprise, the next morning she was radiant – chatty, playful, and eager to stay. Though hesitant, her father stayed for breakfast, witnessed firsthand the care and devotion of the CYC staff team, and left with renewed trust in both the camp and his daughter’s resilience. In ways only God can weave together, what began as a nerve-wracking evening became an unexpected gift of reassurance. The girl thrived the rest of the week, inhaler at her side, and at pick up the parents were already looking forward to sending her next summer.

From guarded to grateful

While fun is going to happen at camp, faith is what really matters. Two best friend campers arrived at Catholic Youth Camp as a quiet little clique, never smiling, keeping to themselves, and barely engaging with others. Their counselor noticed their hesitancy but continued to include them gently in activities, offering encouragement without pressure. One evening during prayer ministry, their counselor sat next to each girl one-on-one, praying earnestly over them and asking God to touch their hearts. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, their guarded expressions softened. By the next day, small smiles began to appear, and by the end of the week, their laughter was joining in songs, games, and conversations with other campers and staff. The counselor knew it was not their efforts alone, but God working deeply in their hearts, where joy, openness, and faith took root and would remain long after camp ended.