"★★★★ My 10 year old twins had never been to camp before. They were excited and a little nervous when we dropped them off and thoroughly thrilled and full of stories when we picked them up at the end of the week. From Mass and Adoration, to the blob, gaga (ball game), arts and crafts, archery, and the fantastic staff, plus a countless amount of other details too numerous to name, they talked our ears off for hours about the adventure. When asked if they're interested in going back next year, the answer was a resounding YES without hesitation. This camp is a must-do for any and all Catholic families in the area. It's top-notch." -Camper Parent I just wanted to say THANK YOU for running such a great camp! Our daughter truly enjoyed her first sleep away camp with your team. She continues to talk about things that happened at camp each day, even though she’s been home for 6 days now. And we are always eager to hear what she has to share! We are so blessed to be part of such a wonderful, faithful Catholic community that helps me raise him. Thank you so much for your dedication to the camp! Macon has not stopped talking about the counselors since we left camp and he showed me the Polaroid pictures that he took with some of them. He told me that he asked some of them about their application and interview process and he was very impressed to know how thoroughly you interview them and how they found out about camp, like Pearl. He also told me that camp would not be the same if they did not have good counselors that really loved being at camp with them. Please thank the counselors again on our behalf! Macon is very excited and looking forward to High School Glory Bound. Little Anthony had the time of his life. He came home talking about the priesthood, and is pretty sure it's “up to Father Whitney” if someone becomes a priest. Trying to be casual, I assured him our vocations are between us and God, but that we all need mentors. You are nurturing holiness in children in such a special way. His most humorous-to-me remarks on the drive home, offered with a sense of exasperated awe / goodwill: "...They just had me brushing.my.teeth 24-7." I'm still laughing about that one. The girls all had a phenomenal time too, and consider themselves expert church clappers. We can't thank you enough for your hard work, and I'm certain your family helped to instill in Vivian her joy in outdoor adventuring. |
I'm still the camp’s biggest vicarious fan as [my] grandkids continue to be shaped by your programs. Also sharing your Facebook page with friends in Fairbanks who are raising families. This camp is a pearl of great price. God bless all your labors for our kids. From another camp mom: Thank you for a wonderful camp experience for my daughter! She loved it so much and we felt so happy sending her off into such good hands with the counselors, the priest, and your family. Here's what was good: Having a priest on the premise to offer Mass, confessions, and adoration. She loved the night games and her counsellor. The counsellors seemed like great young role models for the kids. They loved their faith and passed on that excitement. She loved the arts activities and the Survival Alaska. The food was great! My daughter loved it last year! I’m so grateful that something of this nature is available to the kids in Alaska. Both the kids are excited about attending! Thank you all for providing a wonderful opportunity for our Catholic kids! It was absolutely worth the drive [from interior Alaska]. In fact, we had friends that told us about the camp, so I drove all the kids (3) down and our friends picked the kids up. We’re glad to have found out about St. Therese’s Camp. We hope to send the kids as often as possible. Thank you for an incredible first experience at camp! Our children came home on fire with their faith after their time at St. Therese's Camp. At pickup, watching my two children dance amongst others alive with faith brought tears to my eyes. For the first two hours of our drive home, we heard about the Eucharistic Procession, Mass, Fr. Whitney, the blob, messy wars, biff, how much they adored their counselors and new friends. Camp is transforming our experience as parents, raising children in the Catholic faith. I dearly wish I had an opportunity to attend a camp like this! Our son wanted to be a priest before attending and has added camp helper and camp counselor to his bucket list. Thank you for all your work so our children can grow in their faith. We have decided that our summers will forevermore be scheduled around when our children will be attending camp. Your counselors so resonate with my daughter she chose one to be her confirmation sponsor. And she wasn’t sure she even wanted to be confirmed. Camp always reignites the flame of faith for her. Thank you. |
I can tell you as a father, I see a noticeable difference in my children when they come back from camp. The spiritual growth I see in them is amazing. Both of my children could tell me what was discussed atMass during the week. This is not always the case outside of camp. It shows me you have grabbed their attention and have them engaged mentally and spiritually. Rudy, I know you don’t get many letters from camper/former campers during the summer but you definitely deserve it. I wanted to say thank you for everything you do for the camp. St. Therese’s Camp has played such a huge role in my life since 2015. The first time I went home from camp, I cried myself to sleep because of how much I loved camp. Camp is where I've met so many good friends and camp has always given me so many young adults to look up to. I’m still in contact with several of them and Chaco (former program director) is my confirmation sponsor. Camp is the reason I have grown so much in my faith. St. Therese’s Camp is where I first found out about Franciscan University, and now I get to go. At camp I can encounter Jesus by growing closer to Him through prayer and adoration. At St. Therese’s camp, there are many opportunities for adoration and prayer every day. This is an important part of the camp because adoration lets us grow closer to Jesus when we encounter Him physically in the monstrance. Many of the camp counselors share their helpful ways on how to encounter Jesus. They share personal experiences, read us scripture, and explain to us how to let others see Jesus through us. I can grow closer by encountering Jesus through adoration by asking them to guide me in my life in faith at camp. Also at camp, I can encounter Jesus through prayer, by praying every day at night prayer. During night prayer at camp we reflect on our day and contemplate on how we saw Jesus in our day. This is a good time to pray and reflect because at home, I am busy with studies, ministries, and extracurricular activities and usually do not get to reflect on how Jesus was present in my day. Adoration and prayer are essential parts of camp and are beneficial to my faith, because when I become busy I can remember my encounters with Christ and slow down and use what I have learned at camp to encounter Jesus again. When camp is over, I do not leave my encounters with Jesus behind. I practice at home with my family and friends. In previous years of camp, I have learned how to share what I have learned at camp with my family and friends by showing them different ways of prayer such as adoration, group prayer, silent prayer, and much more. I share these things with my friends and other people who I know. Leaving camp is not the end of my encounter with Christ. |