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Camp Xavier Offers a Summer Program of Faith and Fun for Older Parish Youth
What can our older parish youth do for summer fun when they have aged out of Vacation Bible School?
They can have an outstanding time at Camp Xavier! The camp theme this summer is “Walk as Children of Light,” based on Ephesians 5:8. The campers will focus on what it means to live a life for Christ — and what can be better than that?
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This will be the third year for Camp Xavier, which was first organized by Fr. O’Brien. While Vacation Bible School serves youngsters from kindergarten through fifth grade, there was nothing held during the summer to reach our older youth. Fr. O’Brien and Ashleigh Martin, youth minister, realized that our older youth from sixth grade through high school needed opportunities in the summer to grow in their faith. Camp Xavier was the result.
“We wanted to give them the opportunity in the summer to get together and still strengthen their faith,” Ashleigh says. “So, Fr. O’Brien came up with it. We love it!”
This year, Camp Xavier will be held from July 18-22 in the Youth Center. The hours are 6-9 p.m. The fee is $10, which covers snacks and a t-shirt.
The program sessions include snacks, games and a speaker. In addition, there is adoration, praise and worship time, and an opportunity to go to confession.
When the youth have completed the week of Camp Xavier, they will be equipped to better share their faith and evangelize to others.
“We will talk about how we are called for relationship, how our relationship is broken and restored through Jesus, how we are called to radiate Christ’s love to others and accept Jesus as the center of our lives,” Ashleigh says. “It’s really going to be great!”
During the sessions, a particular topic is highlighted for discussion and study. Last year, the youth delved into the saints, and had a night of apologetics, when they could ask questions about their faith. The Nicene Creed was examined, with its elements broken down for discussion and greater understanding. A format of smaller groups allows a more informal atmosphere.
“In the past two years, Fr. O’Brien has been the speaker,” Ashleigh says. “When he is the speaker, the material is always interesting.”
Camp Xavier and its objectives fall under the mission of our Youth Ministry. According to our parish website, “St. Francis Xavier Youth Ministry’s mission is to respond to the social and spiritual needs of the teens in our parish by providing spiritfilled programs, activities and events that will allow them to express their faith as they encounter Christ and deepen their love for the Church and sacraments. Through our programs, events and outreach, we seek to draw young people into responsible participation in the life, work and mission of the parish community.”
Volunteers are welcome, and teachers are encouraged to sign on at this time. Registration for Camp Xavier also is slated to begin at this time. For information, please call the parish office at 405-372-6886.
Social distancing was observed, but the embrace of a loving community in Christ remained in place during Camp Xavier.
