by Deacon Dana Nearmyer
Camp Tekakwitha has strived to give youth and families the best experiences that our faith has to offer for the last 25 years, but it can be hard to know if those wonderful experiences have lasting impact.
As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we asked former campers and staff to share about the lasting impact of those experiences. Here are a few of their responses.
“Camp really taught me how to have a relationship with God through entering into silent prayer every day. Learning how to live out this relationship with God at camp has also helped me to deepen my friendships with those around me, and many of my closest lifelong friends are a result of living in relationship with God at Camp Tekakwitha.” — Jacob
“I have made the absolute best friends because of Camp Tekakwitha.” — Sarah
“Meeting Jesus. I thought I knew who he was, and then I started working here. He showed his face in so many different places that I had never even looked. I can’t begin to describe the love that I felt every single session. He showed me how close he wanted to be with me every day, every meal, every second.” — Jonathan
“Learning the joy of self-giving, establishing a habit of daily prayer and making lifelong friends in Christ.” — Meagan
“Camp has given me lifelong, virtuous friendships. In that way, it’s still inspiring and growing my faith, even though I’m not actively involved at camp anymore.” — Haley
“Camp gave me great faith formation, compassionate friends and an ever-deepening faith life that I take with me everywhere.” — Abigail
“One of the things that makes camp so special is that it is just one big God moment, whether you’re there for a meal, 3 days of Kateri, 9 days of Extreme or on staff for an entire summer. An attitude of gratitude permeates the campus. Nothing is taken for granted. Everything is recognized as a miracle. Each day is better than the day before, so each day, that’s the best day.” — Tighe
“Over and over again, I encounter God in the chapel — surrounded by God, saints and friends. God has given me so many examples and inspirations and lifelines as I try to walk closer and closer with him and to him each day!” — Magdalen
Camp Tekakwitha invites you to make your own memories as a camper or by applying for a position on staff. Online registration for high school and family camps opens Feb. 7 at 9 a.m.; junior high registration opens Feb. 14 at 9 a.m.; 5th and 6th grade registration opens Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. Online, Tekakwitha Women’s Retreat 2023 registration opened on Jan. 17. For more information, go online to: archkck.org/camp.
