Vacation In Purpose
Catholic family camp weekends in Minnesota
Faith • Fun • Family
2027 VIP Weekend dates coming soon. In 2026, VIP Weekends were held in May (season prep) and August (season close-out).
Step away from the routine and experience camp together as a family. VIP Weekend – Vacation In Purpose – is a hands-on family camp experience centered on faith, fun, and family. You’ll stay in cabins, share meals in Sweeney Lodge, worship together in our 100-year-old chapel, serve camp through meaningful projects, and enjoy time on the lake.
This is camp the way your kids love it – just experienced together.
What to expect
Faith
Morning and evening chapel, time to pray together as families, and a chance to reconnect spiritually in the beauty of camp.
Fun
Canoeing, kayaking, a Saturday night group game, lake time, and classic camp community.
Family
Shared meals, cabin living, and the opportunity to work side-by-side on projects that prepare (May) or wrap up (August) the camp season.
About Mass
We love to celebrate Mass during VIP Weekend. CYC does not have a priest on site and is not directly affiliated with a specific parish or diocese, so we rely on priests who are willing and available to join us. If we are unable to secure a priest, families can drive together to Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in McGregor, about 20 minutes from camp (CYC does not have a bus). If you have a connection to a priest who may be willing to join us, we would be grateful for the introduction.
Lodging & cabins
- Traditional camp-style bunk cabins, shared and assigned by gender.
- Children stay in the same cabin as their parent or legal guardian; every minor must be housed with their own parent.
- Families share cabins with other families for an authentic camp community experience.
- Parents are responsible for supervising their children throughout the weekend.
- All CYC staff are VIRTUS trained.
- Cabins are simple, rustic, and community-oriented – part of the charm of camp life.
Service projects
Each VIP Weekend includes a structured service project that helps move camp forward.
- May (season prep): launching boats, painting, landscaping, organizing, light repairs, equipment set-up and preparing cabins and grounds for summer.
- August (season close-out): deep cleaning, organizing, minor repairs, equipment and boat storage and grounds work.
Have experience in a trade (carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, construction)? We would especially love your help – you can note your skills during registration.
Safety on work projects
- No one will operate machinery or use specialized tools without demonstrating experience.
- Adults participating in work projects will sign a liability waiver.
- Certain tasks will be adult-only.
- Family-friendly tasks will be clearly assigned and supervised.
Cost
| Guest | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $85 |
| Child, ages 12–17 | $50 |
| Child, 11 and younger | $25 |
What’s included
- Cabin lodging (Friday night – Sunday morning)
- All meals in Sweeney Lodge
- Chapel services
- Lake activities (canoe, kayak, paddleboard)
- Friday & Saturday evening group activity
- An organized service project
- Mass (when a visiting priest is available)
Sample schedule
Friday
- 6:00 pm – Arrival & check-in
- 7:30 pm – Opening welcome & camp orientation
- 8:15 pm – Evening chapel
- 10:00 pm – Lights out
Saturday
- 8:00 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Morning chapel
- 9:30 am – Work projects
- 11:00 am – Coffee & snack
- 12:30 pm – Lunch
- 1:30 pm – Work projects / lake time (canoe, kayak, paddleboard) / Art Barn
- 3:30 pm – Camp store open
- 5:30 pm – Dinner
- 6:30 pm – Group game / campfire-style activity
- 7:30 pm – Evening chapel
- 10:00 pm – Lights out
Sunday
- 8:00 am – VIP sharing
- 9:00 am – Mass*
- 10:00 am – Brunch
- 11:15 am – Cabin clean up
- 12:00 pm – Check out
*Mass depends on a visiting priest; otherwise we attend Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in McGregor.
We can’t wait to welcome your family to camp!
VIP Weekend is more than a getaway – it’s a chance to rest, serve, worship, and build memories together. Questions? Email office@cycamp.org.