This past week was one of the best weeks of the year. For many of our middle and high school kids, it was the week of Extreme Faith Camp. Extreme Faith Camp is one of the best things our Diocese has implemented. It is a week of fun activities at a camp near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The Diocese also hosts two weeks of camp at a camp near Mason, Wisconsin (near Ashland). But it is also an incredible opportunity for our kids to grow in their faith. Each day the kids attend Mass, hear a testimonial talk from a high school or college student, and meet with their small group to discuss their faith. Plus each week we have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and participate in Eucharistic Adoration.
I could tell you more about the camp experience, but who better to hear from than some of our campers? So as I have done in the past, here is what some of the kids had to say about camp on day number two. I asked them, why do kids come to camp?
- Audrey said, “It is a two-in-one camp: fait and extreme activities. What I like best so far is tubing behind the boat. I fell off three times.”
- Kallie offered, “You get to spend a whole week with God and you get to do all sorts of fun activities. I really liked being on the boat and water skiing. It was my first time water skiing. It was scary at first but I really felt adventuresome.”
- Olivia mentioned, “You can spend with God while having fun. I am looking forward to confession and daily Mass. I hope there is spaghetti one night for dinner but so far I really like the desserts.”
- Emma said, “You can try new activities that you can’t normally do. Tubing was the best.”
- Azalea said, “You can get away from your siblings. Seriously, you can spend time with other people who share your faith.”
- High school counselor Carolin shared, “You get to meet new people and adoration is a great time to talk with Jesus and ask him about what my next steps in life should be. I like doing activities that you don’t normally do, meeting new people, and the camp staff is top-notch.”
- Isaiah (prayer team participant) mentioned, “It is simply awesome. I gained weight because the food is good, but I also got a lot stronger in my faith. I really am looking forward to Thursday night when we hear Gospel ads.”
- Natalie (high school counselor) offered, “It is fun and fruitful. I like forming new friendships.”
- Noelle shared, “It gives me new insights and a place to have conversations about faith that I normally wouldn’t have.”
- Gavin said, “It could be life-changing for you; it has been for me. They run you tired so you can slow your brain down. It is amazing having Church every day. You just need to have an open mind, and God will talk to you. The best thing so far is meeting the staff, gaining new friends, and going to church every day. It put a smile on my face seeing three priests at our Mass.”
- Kyle shared, “Tubing is the best because you can go with three people. But the best is that we have Mass every day. The Masses are great it, is easy to listen at Mass here. I don’t know why, it just is.”
