Aug. 14, 2024

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

At 1:30 p.m. on August 9, the last week of the 2024 Youth Camp season wrapped up at Camp Guggenheim with the closing Mass for Week six and campers aged 16-18.

For the first week of camp, starting June 30, a mini session was held for youth ages 11-13. With only three overnight stays, the shorter session  gives the younger campers a taste of the camp experience without being away for five nights.

Weeks two through five, starting in early July and through Aug. 2, are catered to youth ages 12-15.

Youth spend their camp mornings rotating between activities – waterfront, Liturgy, adventure and arts and crafts – and their evenings with special events, including a penance service, Adoration, a dance, camp games, a campfire, a talent show and more.

Week six campers also complete service projects, going out into surrounding communities to volunteer and participate in discussions about vocations.

Many campers, like Elias Juneau, 14, of Chazy, love the experience so much, it’s become an annual tradition to go to camp.

“It’s my third year at camp,” Juneau, a week 5 camper, said. “I love getting closer to Jesus, and I love the positivity of the staff and all the people here, and all the activities and adoration and everything. I love coming here. It’s vacation.”

Juneau said he’s developed friendships with other campers from around the diocese and out of the area, and he and his friends communicate before camp to determine which week they’ll attend.

“We talk during the summer before registration to figure it out,” he said. “They’re close friends. Some are from Vermont, Watertown and Ogdensburg, and some closer to where I live.”

Maggie Wright, 15, of Vermont, said she attends the same week – week 5 – every year.

“I like to see the same people,” she said. “Even though I come to the same week, it’s different every year. It’s a really good experience. We’re always trying new things. It’s a really good camp at welcoming and making sure everyone feels invited to participate.”

Wright said the people at camp, as well as the activities, keep her coming back year after year.

“I like the people,” she said. “The counselors, everyone. I like the fun activities, and I like that God is included. Having Mass every day and things like Adoration is really nice.”

Both campers said they’re already looking forward to next year of camp.

“Next year, I’ll get to go rappelling,” Juneau said.

Summer Camp at Camp Guggenheim is a diocesan Youth Ministry Department program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg.

Camp is made possible thanks in part to the Bishop’s Fund Appeal.