Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp prepares for 2023 summer sessions

With winter ending, along with the academic school year, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp is preparing for 2023 summer sessions. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp serves young people and their families by offering an opportunity to encounter the love of God, grow in intentional discipleship, build friendships and experience joy. The summer camp takes place on a 320-acre campground built by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and includes 20 cabins with bunk beds, restrooms, showers, storm shelters, a swimming pool, sports fields, basketball courts, stocked ponds and rustic land. The camp entrance is on the Lincoln-Oklahoma County line road, 3.5 miles north of historic Route 66. 

This year, the camp has a new director in Caden Bennett. Bennett joined the staff of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in 2022 and brings with him an enthusiasm for evangelization.

“Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp is centered on encounter, discipleship and adventure. At camp, campers are given the opportunity to remove distractions such as phones, tv and video games and to encounter Christ,” Caden Bennett, director of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp, said.

“This may be through Mass, prayer, friends, the beautiful nature around them and so much more. Campers also dive deep into their faith through discipleship, where they learn more about saints and look at how they, too, can dedicate their life to Christ. All camp activities lead campers to a more profound encounter with Christ, adventure, fun and a faith-filled community. Campers step out of their comfort zone and into adventure while engaging in high-energy activities, such as archery, group games, water activities and cabin games that you can only get at camp.”

Bennett added that the goal of the camp is to have participants walk away living a more abundant life with Christ. Through powerful talks, transformative small groups, fun activities and games, he hopes campers leave empowered to be great saints.

“This summer, we are adding a low-ropes course to camp. Campers will get to experience fun courses and challenges with their cabin. We are also adding this summer the cabin games! All week, cabins will compete against one another through challenges, games and more to see who will rise to the top as champion at the end of the week. For our high school session, we will go camping for part of the week,” said Bennett.

Bennett added that though he enjoys all elements of the camp, there is one thing he enjoys most: helping campers to enter into a deeper relationship with Christ.

“My favorite part about camp is the opportunity it gives our youth to encounter Christ. At camp, campers are given the opportunity to remove all the world’s distractions and have a week where they can re-center their relationship with God, themselves, others and the world around them. My favorite part about this is that camp does not have to stay at camp. At the heart of camp is an invitation to the abundant life with Christ, which can, and should, be lived out when campers return home to their families, friends and schools. All we do is remove the distractions so that campers can better see the invitation from Christ.”

The deadline to register for summer camp is May 19. Parents can register their children online at campolog.org. The website also contains more information on the camp, example schedules, maps of the grounds, camp life and more.

Bennett encourages youth who have not attended camp in the past to join this year.

“Our advice for first-time campers is to prepare for the great adventure. Camp is a unique experience unlike anything else. Our counselors are fantastic, and we guarantee that not only will they give you the best week, but you will also make great friends.”

Bennett also outlined the many opportunities to draw closer to Christ at camp. Campers will have access to daily Mass, confession and prayer times throughout the day. There will also be morning and evening programs featuring games, skits and talks. Campers will also be placed in a small group for the week where they will discuss talks, scripture, writings of the saints and reflect on how they can be saints. 

For more information about the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp, visit campolog.org. 

The dates for this year’s summer camp are:
Elementary session 1 (4-5 grades): June 18-23
Elementary session 2 (5-6 grades): June 25-30
Elementary session 3 (4-5 grades): July 9-14
Middle school 1 (6-8 grades): June 11-16
Middle school 2 (7-9 grades): July 2-7
Middle school 3 (7-8 grades): July 16-21
High school (9-12 grades): July 23-28

Jolene Schonchin is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.