Topic: Camps

[aurelia]

Camp season is fast approaching, and I thought it would be nice if we got a list of area Orthodox summer camps.  They can be pricey, I know, but not only is is a valuable experience for your children, but often times there are scholarships available from your church.  You can check with your Priest about this.  I'll copy links up here to the top post for easy reference.

Here's mine: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp
 ÃƒÆ’‚  ÃƒÆ’‚  ÃƒÆ’‚  ÃƒÆ’‚  ÃƒÆ’‚  ÃƒÆ’‚  ÃƒÆ’‚  ÃƒÆ’‚  http://detroit.goarch.org/mdsc/
Awesome place, in a very lovely area of Michigan.  It draws kids from a tri state area, and as far away as new York State.  My kids had a BLAST last year, our church arranged it so that the week our parish Priest was going to be there, we all sent our kids the same week for camp.  Great fun and all the kids clamored to go back.

[Fr. David]

So this will get posted while parents still have time to register:

Here is the Dept. of Camping for the Antiochian Archdiocese, with links to the Greek Archdiocese's and the OCA's camps at the bottom of the page.

Unfortunately, the only one in TX is in the OCA, and the site says it's not being held this year,  :'( and there's a GOA camp in MO whose website hasn't been updated in almost four years,   BUT, if any of you from around here want a REALLY good camping experience and are willing to make the trip, look into Camp St. Raphael near Tulsa, OK.  Excellent facilities and a well-organized, fun experience for all.

[Fr. George]

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh's Summer Camp Program Schedule:
June 18 - 24: Ages 8-12
June 25 - July 1: Ages 8-12
July 2 - July 8: Ages 13-18
July 9 - July 15: Ages 13-18

The cost is:
$275 early early bird ($150 deposit, full amount due before I think May
$300 regular ($100 deposit, full amount due before like June 10 or something)
$325 late ($100 deposit, full amount due before your kid comes)

Eventually the forms will be posted here (until then, they've only been mailed out w/in the Metropolis):
http://pittsburgh.goarch.org/youth/

Any Q's just PM me!

[minasoliman]

Does anybody know good Orthodox camps/spiritual retreat centers in the tri-state area and areas near Philadelphia and the Poconos, PA?

God bless.

Mina

[SakranMM]

The Antiochian Village is in Ligonier, PA.

www.antiochianvillage.org

[choirfiend]

Eastern Orthodox Youth Camp is held each summer outside Kansas City, drawing from KS, NE, MO, and more
http://www.holy-trinity-church.org/content/view/232/2/ I always had a great time!

I've also attended the Chicago Deanery Camp, a loooong time ago.

Here's all the OCA camps.
http://yya.oca.org/youth/camplistings/totallisting.asp

[Fr. George]

Does anybody know good Orthodox camps/spiritual retreat centers in the tri-state area and areas near Philadelphia and the Poconos, PA?

God bless.

Mina

Our kids from the PGH Metropolis go to the camp in Mercer, PA (Camp Nazareth).  The "Greeks" use the camp from Mid-June to Mid-July (4 one-week sessions), and the Carpatho-Rus from the end of July into August; all Orthodox Christians are invited when the Orthodox are using the camp.  THe only other camp I've heard of being operated in PA is Antiochian Village, which I think does multi-week sessions.  The Village is quite a camp, and has a lot to offer the kids.

[Fr. George]

Oh, and if by Tri-State you are referring to areas near NY, then I think the Metropolis of New Jersey, along with the Archdiocesan District of NY, operate Camp Good Shepherd, but I don't know the details.

[minasoliman]

Oh, and if by Tri-State you are referring to areas near NY, then I think the Metropolis of New Jersey, along with the Archdiocesan District of NY, operate Camp Good Shepherd, but I don't know the details.

Oh nice...are the open for Oriental Orthodox children?

Could this website be it:

http://nj.goarch.org/summer_camp11.htm

God bless

Mina

[Timos]

For Oriental Orthodox I've heard more of conventions being held rather than camps. As a kid I went to my local Greek camp and I also went once to a OO run Convention which was closer to me than the EO "Orthodox Camp Metamorphosis".

However I always had my eye set on the Orthodox camp IN Greece "Ionian Village"- never made it as the price is something hefty like $3000 US.

[minasoliman]

For Oriental Orthodox I've heard more of conventions being held rather than camps. As a kid I went to my local Greek camp and I also went once to a OO run Convention which was closer to me than the EO "Orthodox Camp Metamorphosis".

However I always had my eye set on the Orthodox camp IN Greece "Ionian Village"- never made it as the price is something hefty like $3000 US.

Yes, indeed, but I think camps are also a great idea nonetheless where "conventions" can be held, considering all the activities done.

I was looking more into spiritual retreat centers perhaps, where a private class of about no more than 30 (rather than a gathering of hundreds of youth from churches in a certain area) would enjoy.

God bless.

[BoredMeeting]

The Serbian Orthodox diocese runs a camp at Springboro, PA.

http://www.easterndiocese.org/shadeland.html

[calligraphqueen]

why are all these camps held either up north or in the west?  Not only can the cost of camp be cost prohibitive, but you have the driving and gas issues to consider this year.

I wish there was a camp that included the family or at least like father/son or mother/daughter  We like to do things as a family if we are going to spend money. Protestant camps abound, but we would really be oddballs now!

[aurelia]

I think it is more a matter of this is where we live, so these are the camps we know about.  And I have a freind that is going at the same time as her kids, but as a counselor, so it can be done!

[calligraphqueen]

well, if'n ya'll hear
 of a camp in the south, say Georgia or SC or NC that would be great!
I can't see having dh take off a week to stay here while I went with one or two children and he stayed with all the others.  Not a good use of precious vacation time.

I need to invent a Southern Orthodox family get together eh?  Like the protestant "momy's gatherings of families.  They go to Williamsburg VA every single year, but there is a big contingent of Orthodox families in the mix that meet at a local parish.  Guess it's time I got on the ball and got creative for families.

[strebekah]

There are 2 youth retreats in SC at Sts. Mary and Martha Monastary
For 12-14 yo it is June 14-17 and for 15-17 yo it is June 21-24

There website is here: http://www.saintsmaryandmarthaorthodoxmonastery.org/retreats.html

They also have their annual pilgrimage (which our family went to last year) in May each year.

I also believe that if you contact them, they will allow you to camp on their 80+ acres as a family. But you would need to contact them to be sure. It is a lovely area.

I think the reason there are "so few" camps in the South is because the Orthodox churches are so spread out. But I think that there is a camp in SC done by the Greeks. I am sure that with a little investigating you could find something suitable.

Rebecca

[serb1389]

Yah there is a Greek camp in SC.  Its called St. Stephen's and its the first time that they're running it this year.  here's the link:  http://www.saintstephenscamp.org/

Here is the link for all GOA camps, that are on the web-site: http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/youth/camping/

Also, there is a Greek camp around Chicago called Phanari, which is only for 1 or 2 weeks.  I think that they're going to try to expand it this year, also run by the GOA  here is some information for that: I'm trying to find a link, but no luck.  
Camp Fanari
Contact: Rev. William Chiganos
2501 S. Wolf Road
Westchester, IL 60154
708-562-2744

Also contact Christ Avromopoulos at
773-626-5400
gochicagoyouth@aol.com
If you want more info on camps in the chicago area.  

[pensateomnia]

Yes, indeed, but I think camps are also a great idea nonetheless where "conventions" can be held, considering all the activities done.

I was looking more into spiritual retreat centers perhaps, where a private class of about no more than 30 (rather than a gathering of hundreds of youth from churches in a certain area) would enjoy.

God bless.

1) I imagine most EO camps would let OO kids come as well. You'd just have to contact the priest in charge. I bet, in general, it would be a positive experience for OO kids, especially if they went with at least a few friends.

2) Many of these EO camps are at sites that are not actually permanently owned by the EO Church in question (SOME of them are, e.g. Antiochian Village, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston camp site, et al.). Otherwise, the EO Church just "rents" the camp site/facilities for a time. Some of the sites are owned by the Boy Scouts, YMCA or some other organization. I'm sure you could do the same if you wanted to put together a retreat for OO kids, especially if you did so during the off-season. Also, I know that the GOA Boston Metropolis camp, which is in New Hampshire, regularly rents its facilities out to parishes for their own smaller retreats and events. I'm sure other EO-owned facilities do the same. You might want to just send an e-mail to the one nearest you.

[ProdigalSon]

Our kids from the PGH Metropolis go to the camp in Mercer, PA (Camp Nazareth).  The "Greeks" use the camp from Mid-June to Mid-July (4 one-week sessions), and the Carpatho-Rus from the end of July into August; all Orthodox Christians are invited when the Orthodox are using the camp.  THe only other camp I've heard of being operated in PA is Antiochian Village, which I think does multi-week sessions.  The Village is quite a camp, and has a lot to offer the kids.

I used to attend Camp Nazereth as a teenager. It was a great time and I have really fond memories.

I know that there were a bunch of kids that always came in by bus from NJ/NY/NE each year and although I was a local from Pittsburgh, I would always go that week. I still have many friends from those times and remember the visiting priests, services, etc. We even made our own icons one year and had them blessed by the bishop.

I highly recommend Camp Nazareth for those considering sending the kids off to church camp!

[FrChris]

I just came back from the St. Stephen's Camp/Retreat Center outside of Salem, SC for an Acolyte Boot Camp. The facilities there are amazing!

Here's a recently published letter describing the upcoming camp schedule:

http://www.saintstephenscamp.org/News&Articles/Letter2-17-07.pdf

Three sessions will be held in July...

[aurelia]

This is great, I'm glad people are adding more!

[pensateomnia]

Speaking of summer/camp opportunities for Orthodox young people: Here's an e-mail from the GOA Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, which includes some of the best summer opportunities for college and high school students.

In particular, I highly recommend the CrossRoad program, which has proven to be a stellar and eye-opening spiritual experience for juniors and seniors in high school.

*Real Break Spring Break 2007 http://www.ocf.net/realbreak/ (for college students)

*CrossRoad Summer Program June 22- July 2, 2007. http://crossroad.hchc.edu/
Deadline for applications is March 15, 2007.

*St. Vladimir's Summer Institute June 24-27
http://www.svots.edu/News/Upcoming/2007-0624-summerinstitutenewformat/

*AHEPA Academy June 24-30, 2007 http://www.ahepacademy.com/

*Ionian Village Summer Travel Camp http://www.ionianvillage.org 
Session 1: June 28 - July 17.  Deadline for registration: March 26, 2007
Session 2: July 24 - August 12.  Deadline for registration: May 29, 2007

*Metropolis Summer Camps
Check out the following metropolis summer camps to see information about a camp near you!
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/youth/camping/

*Orthodox Youth Outreach opportunities available March - December 2007 http://www.orthodoxyouthoutreach.net/

*IOCC Gulf Coast Initiative Spring - Fall 2007
http://www.iocc.org/news/2-8-07.shtml  (ages 16-18 with parental accompaniment)

*Orthodox Christian Mission Center mission teams Summer-Fall 2007
http://www.ocmc.org/teams.php (ages 18 and up)

*National Young Adult Retreat September 14-16, 2007
http://youth.goarch.org

*National Young Adult Pilgrimage November 2007
http://youth.goarch.org

[Starlight]

Wow! This all is great. Excellent to see the progress!!!

[Fr. George]

Since we're back in camping season:

Metropolis of Pittsburgh Summer Camp
(it's not just for Greeks!)
at Camp Nazareth, Mercer, PA

JOY (Ages 8-12, although 7- and 13-year olds are also welcome)
Session 1: June 15-21
Session 2: June 22-28

GOYA (Ages 13-18)
Session 3: June 29-July 5
Session 4: July 6-12

If you'd like more info, go to pittsburgh.goarch.org to download the application form.  Any questions, PM me.

[simplygermain]

one more camp approaching fast...And while you can't rent a cabin or pitch a tent due to the lateness of this notice, you can visit the camp during the day for the nominal fee (or someother arrangement)...Sky Camp outside of Eugene, Oregon is having their annual pan-Orthodox Camp Retreat on the 26th - 30th of July.
I'm doing the food this year, God help me, and we'll have a lake to swim in, fishing, workshops, a children's play and much much more...
the link is below...v

 http://users.rio.com/bamm/ST.JOHN/par.html#camp

- Simplygermain+

[tuesdayschild]

Bump.

Please post links to Orthodox Youth Camps in the Southern U.S for Summer 2013.

[podkarpatska]

For those in the Mid Atlantic south, there is Camp Nazareth in Mercer, Pa, one hour north of Pittsburgh. There are seven weeks of Orthodox camping, four by the Greek Metropolis of Pittsburgh and three by ACROD, the camp's owner/operator. It is a beautiful full service camp with a wonderful wooden church.

http://www.campnazareth.org/

http://www.acrod.org/organizations/campnaz2

http://pittsburgh.goarch.org/youth/summer-camp

LITURGY  at camp. This may be the android link, but the regular link is available.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=UpHy1wTBt-0&feature=related

[tuesdayschild]

^ Thanks for this, although it is the first time I have ever heard it suggested that Pittsburgh is located in Dixie. 

[podkarpatska]

^ Thanks for this, although it is the first time I have ever heard it suggested that Pittsburgh is located in Dixie. 

Last I knew Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia (not to mention Pennsyltucky ) were not part of Dixie and Northern Virginia has been kicked out of the club in recent years.   

[tuesdayschild]

^ Thanks for this, although it is the first time I have ever heard it suggested that Pittsburgh is located in Dixie. 

Last I knew Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia (not to mention Pennsyltucky ) were not part of Dixie and Northern Virginia has been kicked out of the club in recent years.   

Arguable. Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia are south of the Mason-Dixon. Delaware is east and, therefore, "north." But...

"The states in dark red are almost always included in modern day definitions of the Southern United States, while those in medium red are usually included. Those cross-shaded [including Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia] are sometimes included due to their historic connections to the South."



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie

Anyway, back to the topic.

Camps, please? My research has produced a number of dead links and pages for camps that haven't been held for two years.

[podkarpatska]

Did you try www.orthodoxcamps.org/ ?

[tuesdayschild]

Did you try www.orthodoxcamps.org/ ?

No, I was doing it the hard way.    Thanks.

[serb1389]

Our Parish has it's own camp!  (not that that's helpful to ANY of you, but I thought i'd mention it anyway!)

http://www.groca.org/youthministry/summer-camp/