Challenge Camp provides a unique opportunity for young girls to build a relationship with Christ. In this modern world, our youth is constantly under attack by social media, mass media, and their peers, promoting values that go directly against God and our Catholic teaching. We have seen that sin is rampant in society and sometimes it feels Catholics are more and more a dying breed.

Or are we?

When I see the girls going to Challenge Camp every year, growing in their relationship with Jesus, building friendships that can withstand the test of time and distance, and creating for themselves (sometimes without realizing it) a support system that most of us wish we had; I know the Holy Spirit is at work.

That is why it’s so important that young girls receive this opportunity to find space for God in their lives, to experience what it’s like to be joined in common goals and values and not be the odd one out;  cement their beliefs and build a good foundation that will last them into College, where it’s almost as if there’s a war going on.

Challenge Camp 2023 took place from July 16^th to July 22^nd in Ivoryton, CT. This year 24 girls between 5^th and 12^th grade coming from CT, Mass, NH, NY, and NJ gathered at Incarnation Center for a Christ-filled week, with daily mass, formation talks, Gospel reflection, Confession, and even Adoration. If this does not sound like a balm for the soul, I do not know what does! However, Challenge Camp is not a retreat, and this is what makes it so wonderful. The girls had so much fun going to the lake, swinging down the zip line, going down the water slide, playing Capture the Flag, staying up a bit past their normal bedtime, having dance parties and messy Olympics but most of all, making friends. Children are encouraged to achieve milestones at Challenge and are provided a safe space to grow and be themselves.

This year’s theme was “Jump! Make a Splash in the World”. Formation talks and team activities covered what it takes to be a true Christian leader in today’s world, by looking at the example of Saints who broke the mold and showed true leadership in their time. They learned about courage, speaking and acting in the Truth, with authenticity, and about filling themselves with the love of Christ, which is the only fuel necessary to complete our mission of becoming Christian leaders.

One of the Spiritual highlights of the week is the Eucharistic Procession and Nocturnal Adoration. The girls all expressed how happy they were to be given the opportunity to join Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for one hour, in the middle of the night, some of them proud for being able to stay awake, some surprised by how easy it was to simply be with Jesus.

I was pleasantly surprised at the end of camp to find that many of the girls expressed how happy they were that they learned to pray better and how much they wanted to continue once they returned home. I do believe the Holy Spirit brought everyone together that week to give these girls a glimpse into what life can be like when we let Jesus shine within us. 

Challenge Camp CT has built a wonderful tradition of forming Team Leaders, some of these girls have their own Challenge teams at home during the year and some do not, but they have been at camp for most of their lives and are now leading the younger girls, organizing and preparing the activities. When I speak to the Team Leaders, I know there is hope for us yet, I know they will bring Jesus with them wherever they go, and spread the Gospel in everything they do. Challenge Camp has taught them that it is possible, and it has put them at an advantage over their peers because they know the Truth and they are willing to fight for it.

This is what I wish for all young girls: A foundation of faith and love for Jesus Christ that lasts them into adulthood, supports them in their daily struggles, and provides a view into Eternity. This is what Challenge Camp can do, and I hope you will consider giving this amazing opportunity to your daughters.

I also need to thank Fr. John Pietropaoli, who took the time to explain the Mass to the girls, answer all their questions, and share with them his own experience in the priesthood. Also, the mom volunteers who attend camp every year and provide support to the team leaders, and the campers. We have our daughters at camp, but we act as moms to all of them. We get to see them grow and develop, and we could not be prouder of them. We were also blessed to have Consecrated Deb Bauer with us to run the activities and provide formation to the older girls. She is an amazing testimony of faithfulness to God’s Will and Trust in Him.

Challenge Camp 2024 will take place from Sunday, July 21^st to Saturday, July 27^th and we’d love to have many more girls join us in this amazing experience.