Search
-
March 6, 2025
In the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, a summer camp was born in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. A quarter of a century later, thanks to the contributions of hundreds of staff members and the participation of thousands of young people, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp is thriving.
Camp Guadalupe has grown over the course of the past 25 years – more than 1,000 young people from grades fourth through 12th attend each summer, while another 600 attend a retreat during the school year. The mission has remained the same: to share with young people the love of Jesus Christ.
The days at summer camp are filled with traditional activities like canoeing, fishing and games. Most importantly, at the heart of everything, is an encounter with the Lord. Daily Mass, adoration and formation time takes place each day. Camp Guadalupe is a blend of fun and friendship, all rooted in a personal relationship with God.
On March 22, Camp Guadalupe will celebrate 25 years of faith and community, and everyone is invited to be a part of the festivities.
“We’re thrilled to welcome back former staffers and campers to Camp Guadalupe,” said Anna Horn, coordinator of camp programs at OLOG. “And we invite new friends to join us, even if you’ve never come to camp.”
The event begins at 6 p.m. with appetizers, cocktails and dinner. Classic camp games will take place after dinner, followed by a campfire featuring favorite camp songs and skits.
“We are so excited for this event,” Horn said. “It’s always fun to reminisce about old camp stories, like how none of the buildings had air conditioning during camp’s first year. There is so much joy that you experience at Camp Guadalupe, and we want to reconnect with as many old camp friends as possible.”
For many years, Horn has seen firsthand the impact an experience at Camp Guadalupe has on those who step foot on the camp’s sprawling 400 acres.
“I first experienced Camp Guadalupe as a camper,” she said, “and then later, while I was in college, I served as a counselor.”
She now serves on the full-time staff, working mostly with the year-round campers that attend the camp’s Duc in Altum Outdoor Labs. She said working at Camp Guadalupe is her dream job, as she gets a front row seat to the camp’s life-changing mission.
Technically, Camp Guadalupe had been in operation for a dozen years prior at Lake Murray. However, Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, the third archbishop of Oklahoma City, had major dreams for the camp. He knew well the impact of camp, and he set out to build upon the foundation formed in southern Oklahoma.
Nancy Housh ran the camp for 10 of the 12 years at Lake Murray, and then for the first 18 years at its current location.
“Nancy did a wonderful job building upon Archbishop Beltran’s vision,” Horn said, “and we strive every day to build upon all the great work she and her team did in the past.”
Christopher Aderhold is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
UPDATE: The 25th anniversary celebration for the camp has been canceled.
Photo: Construction of the dining hall at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp in Wellston. Photo Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Archives.
Interested in serving on Camp Guadalupe’s summer staff?
Each summer, more than 50 college students from around the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and beyond, descend upon Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp. Apply now to impact the lives of countless young people, to grow in faith and service, and to be a part of the intentional Catholic community found at Camp Guadalupe! Learn more at: campguadalupe.org/summerteam
