This summer Challenge Club had their annual sleep-away camp in Ivoryton, CT. From July 20th to the 26th. 30 plus girls gathered at Incarnation Center for a week of formation, fun and friendship. This season’s theme was Live It!, focusing on how girls can live out their faith with courage and kindness; and be a witness to hope.

We mom volunteers get together early in the year to begin preparations, and there’s always a moment of worry when registration begins: “Will we get enough girls? Will we have a good group? What ages will be a majority?”

I should know by now worrying is pointless. God is always in control and we were so blessed by the wonderful group of girls who participated, the majority of whom were returning campers!

I loved seeing all these girls again. It is clear how much they have grown during the year, and we get to experience how much they enjoy camp and how happy they are to be back. I know that God is the one doing all the work, but there still is a degree of human satisfaction in that I am helping the Lord in this and that I can be an instrument of his love for his children.

This is why Challenge Camp is a wonderful apostolate for me. I am renewed every year, not only because I get to hang out with the youth and brush up on the current memes, but because I get to be a part of God’s work in their lives. I also get a week with full access to the Blessed Sacrament and a Legionary priest, which is secretly my favorite part.

For a short while, I become partial mom to about 30 kids. I feel the true fellowship of our faith and I see the body of Christ in action. We can get so overwhelmed with daily life that we tend to think we’re alone in the race. Coming to Challenge Camp shows me I am not alone, and I am very thankful to God for that reminder.

I usually put together a short piece on the importance of Challenge Camp, but this year I think it’s better if let the girls tell you how Challenge has changed them:

“What I love most about Challenge Camp is all the unique opportunities it gives us that we might not get in everyday life. We get to make new friends, take on responsibilities, and express ourselves in new ways. Spiritually, I especially appreciate daily Mass, guided meditations, and my favorite—being able to ask our resident priest any questions we have. These experiences give me a sense of freedom and help me be more myself, bringing a refreshing lightness to my spirit. Challenge Camp is such a blessing, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to go.”

Mariella.

“Faith is the bird that sings in the night when the dawn is still dark.” – Rabindranath Tabor

“Challenge means almost everything to me. When I was first introduced, I knew nothing, nobody, or anything about it really. I even recruited and made one of my friends come with me. I really didn’t want to go in the beginning but something within my faith told me that I should go. I trusted in God and so I went, and I have never been so happy I did something. I wish I had found this camp earlier in life. Like the quote above, I didn’t know if this camp was going to be light or dark to me, but like a bird – I sang and I went and everything was light. I grew closer to God, met new people, and had the best time. It’s better to do something and regret it, then not do it at all and regret it. This is something I don’t regret doing at all!”

Lola.

“Challenge camp changed my perspective on God and relationships in general. I now see God more as a friend and a father than someone distant or hard to reach. I’ve met so many people that I love so much. They inspire me and help me to be the best I can be through the Gospel.”

Felicity

These testimonies show why Challenge Camp is such a gift. Each year God renews not just the girls, but us moms, too! If you are considering Challenge Camp for your girls, or if you feel called to volunteer, I pray this will inspire you to say yes!