Growing Closer to Jesus at Extreme Faith Camp

Recently many of our middle and high school students returned from a week at Extreme Faith Camp. Extreme Faith Camp is a week-long Catholic summer camp for middle school students. The kids have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of traditional summer camp activities like rock climbing, canoeing, playing outdoor games, swimming, and tubing. In addition there is daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, a reconciliation night, praise and worship music, small groups and faith based talks on topics for teens  The camp is led by the Extreme Team which is formed of adults and senior high youth leaders.

This year's camp experience was different in one significant way. It was cell phone free. Many believe constant access to a phone makes life easier for young people—helping them avoid boredom, manage social tensions, and stay connected to home. But camp organizers reflected on this idea and believe a week at camp offers something rare: space to be fully present. Campers encounter Christ in prayer and the sacraments, build authentic friendships, and rediscover the joy of creation and simple play. Camp’s phone-free environment isn’t about restriction—it’s about freedom. Freedom to listen for God’s voice, to be known and loved by others, and to grow through challenge into the person God created them to be. We believe our campers deserve that kind of real, transformative experience.

So what did our kids think of camp? Here are some quotes:

Eleanor wrote: “Extreme Faith Camp strengthened my relationship with Jesus. Being at mass every day just let me spend more hours with him to realize who He truly is in His Power and Beauty. I realized how much Jesus loves every one of us and we are all beautiful in His Image and Likeness. My favorite quote from Extreme Faith Camp is that "YOU ARE ENOUGH!"  

Isaiah shared: "I love that at camp, although there may be struggles (injuries, pranks and bad things said) God's goodness in each person shows through despite these. I wish that the people who could go enjoy the same clarity and certainty of their true identities as sons and daughters of God every day that they have at Extreme Faith Camp. I wish that the "Jesus high" from Extreme Faith Camp could continue all year for everyone”

Kalie offered: “Extreme Faith Camp is always something I look forward to in the summer! I've made so many amazing friendships over the years, and seeing everyone rekindle their faith over one week is truly beautiful. Adoration night is consistently my favorite, it reminds me how much I love my Catholic faith.

Every time I come back from camp I realize how much I am loved and desired by the Lord!

Bella provided: “The most fruitful things for me were adoration night and confession night. I felt so close to God and very emotional. It has shown me the power of prayer. It has helped me to deepen and nourish my relationship with Jesus. I would say that all of the activities were really fun, but if I had to pick it would probably be the climbing tower or boating!

If you have middle school students, talk now about having them attend Extreme Faith Camp next summer. Registration will start this fall. 

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