Feb. 18, 2015

By Fr. Brian Stitt
Diocesan Vocation director

“Some people think the young people today aren’t interested in faith.  Some people think that young people today aren’t willing to work.  Some people have never seen kids at Catholic Heart Work Camp.” 

This was my reflection after spending a week with teens at one of the 50 different Catholic Heart Work Camps offered this past summer. 

And now, their camp is coming to us in the Diocese of Ogdensburg!

This summer from June 28 to July 3, teens will have the opportunity to come to Ogdensburg in order to follow the command of the Lord to serve the least of their brothers and sisters. 

Here in the diocese of Ogdensburg we know all about summer camps.  But Catholic Heart Work Camp (CHWC) offers something that we have never had before. 

As their website states, CHWC offers teens a chance to “embrace this challenge to put ourselves aside to serve and restore homes and hearts, feed the hungry, lift the spirits of children, give hope to the disabled, and provide help through partnerships with social agencies.”

Or in the words of Brianna Poupore, a senior in Malone who was a recent camper, “CHWC is an amazing experience that every individual should experience.  Giving back is like giving to yourself because it is so satisfying to help.  I love it at CHWC!”

The students do a variety of services while interacting with youth from around the area and beyond.  The announcement of our camp at Wadhams Hall in Ogdensburg only went live on their website (heartworkcamp.com) in the last days of January.  Nevertheless, there are already groups signed up to come from as far away as Maryland and Illinois. 

That’s because teens do appreciate authentic presentations of their faith, opportunities to actually make a difference by serving, AND having fun. 

One glance at the CHWC website and you realize that there is fun involved.  Each day of service is bookended by activities for the teens with music, games, and socialization. 

What’s more, each day is hemmed with daily Mass and other prayer opportunities. 

These days our entire diocese is excited about the door to door census that is being planned for the North Country.  How well CHWC dovetails with that priority.  The kids of CHWC will literally be bringing the service of Christ to the streets. 

Please join us in the hope that this Camp will be a successful endeavor.  Please suggest that young people from your parishes and homes consider coming to CHWC. 

And please pray that more people come to know the fun, faith, and service of the Catholic Church. 

Abby Kelly from Fort Covington is shown working with children at a 2014 Catholic Heart Work Camp in Boston. Plans have been made to bring the camp program to the Diocese of Ogdensburg this year.