Saint Thomas has tremendous potential to encourage young people to live radical lives of holiness and foster vocations for our priesthood. But, for that potential to be maximized, we have to make strategic improvements. From 2011-2015, the camp was only filled to 44% capacity on average. Further, 73% of our campers attended camp one time and never returned. We can change and improve those numbers! To do that, we are going to make Saint Thomas camp the place to have the best summer ever with the following improvements:
New Camp Adventures!
Teens will have the opportunity to sign up for adventures (such as archery and trout fishing) that will lead them to encounter Christ. Archery participants will learn that arrows that miss a bullseye are measured in units of “sin” and will be led into a discussion on how we hit the mark in our spiritual lives. Trout fishing participants will have a bible study on what it means to be a “fisher of men.”
Sacramental Encounters that Change Lives
Teens will receive the Eucharist daily, have the chance to receive mercy in reconciliation and experience the grace of Eucharistic adoration thanks to priests living at camp for the summer. Professional youth ministers will give the teens an evening message that will lead them deeper into their personal relationship with Jesus.
Group-Focused
The best experiences in life happen with someone else. We will be encouraging teenagers to attend camp as a group with an adult from their community. Adults will register for free. This will allow parishes struggling to start a youth group the perfect opportunity to form one and allow parishes with a strong youth group to get stronger. Every camper will have a group, even if no one from their home parish attends camp!
More Options
Our camps are now co-ed at all weeks. This also allows us the opportunity to allow teens multiple chances to go to camp. Our 2016 schedule is:
Week 1: July 10 – 15 (9th – 12th grade)
Week 2: July 17-22 (6th-8th grade)
Week 3: July 24- 29 (9th – 12th grade)
Week 4: July 31-August 5 (6th – 8th grade)
Week 5: August 7 – 12 (5th Grade)
Away Day
We will bus the kids off site one day to go on hike in the surrounding wilderness followed by inner tubing down the Belt Creek!
New Attraction
>This spring we are building a low ropes course entitled “Virtue Trail” that will teach teenagers the value of Sacred Scripture, teamwork and how those skills relate to overcoming challenges in life. We are also building an archery course.
Same Name, New Focus
Our camp is named after Saint Thomas the Apostle who is best known for struggling with his faith. We all struggle at some point in our faith with what God wants us to do. Recognizing this, our new Camp motto is “Direction for Life” meaning we want to meet teenagers where they are and help them find the direction God wants for their lives.
Saint John Paul the Great once said, “A life with Christ is an adventure!” Our hope this summer is that the teenagers have the adventure of a lifetime at camp and through this adventure, encounter Christ. 
To register or for more information, visit us at saintthomascamp.com
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