Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Students work on things such as porch repair at Baltimore Work Camp. (Courtesy Baltimore Work Camp)

Summer camps can be transformative for teens


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Youth Ministry

This summer, teens in the Archdiocese of Baltimore can engage in transformative experiences through three impactful camps: Baltimore Work Camp, Appalachia Work Camp and Damascus Camp.

  1. Baltimore Work Camp

Location: In-state
Director: Marissa Paoletti
Features: Daily Mass, high school focus, repairing houses in Frederick and Washington counties

The Baltimore Work Camp, led by Marissa Paoletti, director of evangelization at St. Timothy in Walkersville, emerged from St. Anthony’s Shrine in Emmitsburg. This weeklong camp, commencing June 23, gathers participants of all ages for a blend of service, cultural exchange and spiritual growth.
The $325 camp fee covers activities ranging from hard labor to evening retreat programs, with an emphasis on safety training and cultural engagement. Despite the cost, fundraising initiatives ensure inclusivity, allowing every interested teen to participate.
The camp kicks off each day with a morning Mass led by an invited parish priest and dedicates a special night to eucharistic adoration and confession. Priests, seminarians and religious sisters reside with the young participants throughout the week, sharing stories and knowledge and encouraging vocational exploration.
Emphasizing cultural exchange, the program trains participants to respectfully engage with homeowners and residents. Activities include prayer sessions where residents are invited to join, shared meals, and informal gatherings, fostering a sense of community.
The camp wraps up with a community night at Greenbrier State Park featuring recreational activities. Those who wish to participate can sign up at baltimoreworkcamp.com.
“The work camp week is like a slice of heaven,” Paoletti told the Catholic Review.

Student workers collaborate on a home repair for the Appalachia Service Project. (Courtesy Appalachia Service Project)
  1. Appalachia Work Camp

Location: Out-of-state (Appalachian Mountains)
Executive VP: Melissa Winburn
Features: Youth ministries travel for home repair and construction services

The Appalachia Work Camp’s vision is to eradicate substandard housing in Central Appalachia and actively seek more volunteer engagement – and those who come in contact with the ministry are transformed.
Executive Vice President and future CEO of the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), Melissa Winburn, says the organization operates as a nondenominational Christian ministry focused on repairing homes for economically disadvantaged families.
With an annual workforce of approximately 9,000 volunteers who work in collaboration with around 800 churches but operate independently from any parish, ASP relies heavily on volunteers to execute nearly 300 home repairs and construct 50 to 60 new homes annually.
Volunteers are accepted on a rolling basis and are assigned work based on their skill level and can opt for a weeklong or a long-weekend project, with housing and meals provided at a camp.
High school students, particularly those who have completed the sixth grade, are encouraged to participate. The cost to participate varies, with a weeklong stay costing $375 per volunteer. However, scholarships are available to ensure that the cost doesn’t hinder interested individuals from volunteering.
Despite the considerable work involved, there’s time for some sightseeing, cultural exchange and interaction with local communities – with a call for more volunteers to love and serve the area.
Sharing a significant part of her personal journey, Winburn said, “I am actually one of those stories of a youth who volunteered for the first time when she was 14 years old, fell in love with construction and service, and it changed the trajectory of my life.”
The organization, while facing a decline in volunteer numbers due to COVID-19, sees an increased demand for home repairs, expressing a desire to further increase engagement in the area and foster a love for the community among participants.
Winburn emphasized the transformative power of service, noting, “Amazing things happen when we come together with openness and acceptance and love for each other.”

  1. Damascus Camp

Location: Out-of-state (Ohio, Michigan)
Participants : 200 youths from the Archdiocese of Baltimore (100 middle school, 100 high school)
Website: damascus.net/programs/catholic-youth-summer-camp/
Focus: Sports, games and the Eucharist

The Damascus Camp caters to 200 students from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, offering a unique blend of sports, games, and spiritual activities. Focused on the Eucharist, this camp provides a supportive environment for both middle and high school students. The camp’s website offers detailed information.
These camps, rooted in service and growth, offer teenagers not just a summer activity but a chance to transform lives – both theirs and those they serve. Interested individuals can apply through the respective camp websites, ensuring a summer filled with meaningful experiences and lasting memories.

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