Faith at Boys’ Camp
In 2018, Hobo visits Camp Ozanam to deliver our weekly Liturgy
Christianity remains the central pillar of our camp. Our teachings, discussions, and daily practices reflect our Christian foundation. Each summer, we select a camp motto to guide our actions and build staff unity. This guiding phrase shapes our approach and inspires us throughout the season. For instance, in my C.I.T. year, our theme was, 'You are the light of the world.' We use such messages to clarify our mission during pre-camp and to encourage staff to be guiding lights for all our campers. In doing so, we root our work in Catholic values.
At Camp Ozanam, we continue to preach the Lord’s teaching through Liturgy of the Word, which we organize once per group, typically on a Sunday. In our liturgy, we read and discuss scripture, sing hymns, and dance together. We bring Bible stories to life through reenactments that encourage camper participation and engagement. We also petition prayers of the faithful, and conclude all our Liturgies with The Sign of Peace. The experiences we share and the time spent together at camp foster a lifelong brotherhood, and I believe our Liturgies play a central role in strengthening these bonds.
Prayer is a vital and consistent part of our daily routine at Boys Camp. Each morning, we gather for line-up, a time that serves several purposes: taking headcounts, giving out cabin points, and beginning the day with prayer. It is a moment for us to give thanks for our beautiful property, our dedicated staff, our campers, and all those whose support makes camp possible. Meals are another part of our schedule where prayer comes to life through song. The songs we sing to give thanks for our meals have been a staple of Boys Camp for decades. Many of these songs bring back fond memories from my days as a camper. These songs are engaging and memorable, and help make expressing our gratitude entertaining for the boys. Just as we begin our days with prayer, we also conclude them each night before bedtime, reflecting on the day, giving thanks for our health and the gift of being at camp.
On the third day of each group, we perform a Bible skit. One cabin is selected by a Senior Staff member who organizes and narrates the skit. He assigns roles and lines for the boys, helps them choose costumes and finds time in the day to practice with them. After evening entertainment, they take the stage in our Rec Hall and perform the skit in front of the whole camp. Some of the mainstay stories we bring to life include the Plagues of Egypt, Joseph’s Dreamcoat, and the Parting of the Red Sea, along with others. While the stories are adapted slightly to make them more engaging for both the audience and the campers acting them out, the morals and teachings remain clear. Afterwards, we discuss the lessons of that story, where I am continually amazed by the insight and understanding that the campers contribute.
In addition to these traditions we share with the campers, we hold ‘Evening Prayer’ for staff members after campers are put to sleep. These gatherings are hosted by a Senior Staff member, typically once or twice a week. The host of the Evening Prayer will have passages prepared revolving around our mission. After each passage, the floor is open to anyone who would like to speak. These discussions provide a healthy space for our staff to open up, express their feelings, and relate to the passages. They help us deepen our understanding and strengthen our faith, not only in the mission we strive to uphold at Boys Camp, but also in reflection of our lives outside of camp.
Staff Liturgy, 2024
We prioritize our religious foundation. We encourage all our staff to be enthusiastic and engaged during Liturgies, meal prayer songs, and Bible skits. Our faith is the core of our Camp's identity. Although not all who come to us are Catholic, as we welcome a diverse group of staff from many backgrounds and beliefs, the core teachings of brotherhood, solidarity, empathy, and love transcend those differences and are universally essential in guiding our youth. Our generous alumni and the church’s philanthropy, combined with the philanthropy of time from countless selfless individuals across decades, have made this sanctuary possible for underprivileged and traumatized children who seek refuge from difficult circumstances. Our goal is to expand our reach so that more youth, campers, and staff alike can experience this unique Camp, the healing it offers, and the strong sense of community it fosters. Through the guidance of dedicated leaders and the Word of the Lord, we hope to help shape these young boys into men of strong character, compassion, and faith.