As a parent of a Catholic school student, you may be sending your child to Catholic summer camp over the summer. After all, it’s a great way to keep them focused on faith during their break from school. These summer camps can be great places for children with similar beliefs to connect and form lifelong friendships. Here’s how your child can make the most of the Catholic summer camp experience:
Choose the Right Camp
No two Catholic summer camps are the same, so the first step is finding one that aligns with your faith and values. The next step is to find one that makes sense for your child. See if you can find a mission-based camp that speaks to your child or one that’s in a location that would be fun to explore. Then, do your research to find which one will be the best fit.
Prepare Spiritually
Going away from home for a week or more to participate in faith-based activities with strangers can be overwhelming, especially for children. Help your child prepare spiritually by giving them tips for being away from home — and therefore away from you — for longer than they’re used to. Offer suggestions for prayer and reflection leading up to the camp so it will come more naturally once they arrive.
Engage Fully
Children get the most out of summer camp when they’re fully immersed in the experience. Encourage your child to participate in all activities that are made available to them. Remind them that some of the camp experiences may be once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Children can struggle to grasp the importance of staying present and taking full advantage of the opportunities in front of them. However, this is how they can get the most out of their experience.
Take Advantage of the Resources
Catholic summer camps give children everything they need to fully explore their faith. This includes spiritual guidance, workshops, and sacraments. The more of these they experience during camp, the better their experience will be. Living outside of the day-to-day and having the chance to dive into their faith can help deepen their faith and prepare them for life after summer camp.
Stay Connected
The best way to ensure that the Catholic summer camp experience stays with you is by carrying the lessons you learn and the relationships you form with you. Encourage your child to stay in touch with fellow campers. Talk about how they can continue to grow in their faith long after they return from camp. Maybe after camp, your child will want to join a youth group or begin a Bible study practice.
Catholic summer camp is a great way for your child to strengthen their faith over summer break. Catholic schools help out for the rest of the school year. Our Orlando Catholic school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.
