August 12, 2026

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

“Everyone here wants to be your friend,” said Mason LaPointe, 11, of Ticonderoga, describing his first experience at Camp Guggenheim. “Everybody wants to play and have fun. Nobody is trying to be mean; nobody is trying to be at the top of the food chain. We’re all equal. In school, a lot of people talk about me being short. I’m not judged for that here.”

Originally scheduled to attend an earlier session of camp, illness prevented that, so LaPointe attended week four of the diocesan summer camp.

“I’m glad I got to come this week,” he said.

LaPointe wasn’t the only one glad to be at camp.

“I really like how the staff want to be here,” added Hannah Hart, 14, of Malone. “Everyone is very welcoming. Everyone talks to each other and becomes acquaintances or friends.”

Younger campers at the diocesan summer camp, those ages 11-15, spend one morning at each of the four morning activities – liturgy, waterfront, project adventure and arts & crafts.

“I had liturgy this morning, and I like that, but waterfront is the best,” said Cooper Crawford, 14, of Peru. “I like Mass. It isn’t boring.”

“I really like Mass here,” agreed Hart. “It’s more active and fun.”

Gracelyn Clary, 15, of Brasher Falls, another first-time camper, said the camp staff make learning about and growing in the faith a fun experience.

“I did liturgy this morning,” she said, noting the participants planned that day’s Mass and learned more about their faith. “We went over the Fruits of the Spirit and how to use them. They made it very fun and entertaining.”

Week 5 campers, those ages 16-18, participate in workshops during their morning sessions.

In addition to the morning programs, evenings at camp include activities such as camp olympics, a talent show, a dance and a penance service.

Other activities – including morning prayer, hikes, adoration and opportunities for volleyball, basketball and other games – are also built into the day.

The young campers said they’d encourage any youth who is even curious about Camo Guggenheim to attend and experience it for themselves.

“Pulling down the driveway in the middle of the woods, I was definitely nervous at first,” said Clary. “When I got here and started talking to people, it was like a weight lifted. The campers and counselors – everybody wants to be here. We’re having fun and learning more about God. If you’re scared and not confident about your relationship with God, you may think people will judge you. But everyone is welcoming and wants you to learn, and no one judges.”

“Even as a fourth-year camper, I still get nervous,” added Crawford. “But people invite you to talk to them, and experiencing that makes it a lot easier for me to do that with other people.”

“Driving in, it was a little scary,” added LaPointe. “I thought maybe I wouldn’t make a lot of friends, and I wasn’t going to see my parents for a week. But with all the stuff they do here, it makes you feel like you’re at home. The first night, you get close to your roommates. They kind of got me. I felt understood.”