Search
-
March 19, 2019Registration open for grades 4-12
Every summer since 2000, students from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City have gathered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Youth Camp for a week of camaraderie, fellowship and prayer. Nestled among the trees in an idyllic setting, the camp is located between Luther and Wellston, about 45 minutes from Oklahoma City.
Working to instill Catholic values in a safe, supportive and entertaining environment, priests, seminarians and counselors work together to encourage campers’ personal and spiritual growth through the development of prayer life, social skills and peer relationships.
The camp is for students who will be entering 4 th grade up to high school seniors and is open to children of all faiths. It is led by counselors – typically high school juniors, seniors and college students – who have previously attended camp as a student. All staff members go through a screening process and complete the archdiocesan Safe Environment training program.
Camp coordinator Daniel Spurr expects more than 1,000 campers to attend this summer. The weeklong camp offers seven sessions in June and July, grouping campers by grades. A staggered schedule gives families the opportunity to send their children at a time that works with their summer schedule. Approximately 150 campers will attend during each weekly session.
Spurr emphasized the focus on active participation in outdoor activities (no electronics allowed!) and developing personal relationships with peers. Daily Mass will be celebrated, and there will be opportunities for reconciliation, adoration and prayer.
“We pray in fun and different ways and we teach these kids how to pray, so when they go home, they can continue the habits they learned at camp,” Spurr said.
Campers will spend time with activities such as swimming, fishing, archery, crafts and a multitude of sports. Campfires, games, scavenger hunts and a talent show are among other group activities.
Each day is similarly structured, with the exception of “wacky water Wednesdays” when campers dress in wacky clothing and spend the afternoon swimming, playing water games and having water balloon tosses. The day concludes with a cookout where campers gather outside to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by camp kitchen staff.
High school senior McKenna Cash started attending the camp in 5 th grade and is joining the staff for her second year as a counselor. She described how special it was to experience her faith outside of the typical church environment and how she integrated it into her social relationships.
“Growing up, this one week meant everything to me and I looked forward to it all year,” she said. “I’ve made so many close friendships!”
Cash, who also will attend the last week of camp as a camper, explained what, in part, influenced her decision to become a counselor.
“I looked up to my counselors when I was young, and now I have kids looking up to me – that is just the coolest thing,” she said. “Being with the kids, watching them experience parts of their faith for the first time and seeing these ‘a-ha’ moments is amazing to me. I just love that feeling.”
Matthew Grover spent 10 years at camp as a camper. He said he didn’t hesitate to become a counselor in 2011.
“Being at camp has made me who I am today,” he said. “Returning each summer is the least I can do to repay what it has given me.”
Registration for 2019 is open. Cost is $360 per camper and payment plans are available. A deposit of $120 will hold a camper’s spot. The schedule is based on the grade the camper will be entering in fall 2019.
Visit archokc.org/camp to register or contact the Office of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Evangelization and Discipleship at (405) 721-9220, [email protected].
Sally Linhart is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
