The largest group of Dominican Faith Campers in recent memory enjoyed a fun and faith-filled three days at Sacred Heart Convent July 8-10. Twenty-four junior high school girls were matched up with a “Sister Buddy” at Sacred Heart Convent, where the camp was held. The sisters prayed for the campers and their families, and on one special day the campers sat with their Sister Buddies during morning prayer and Mass, and at dinner enjoyed a special one-on-one conversation about the sister’s vocation story, her relationship with Jesus, and her service to the Church.
“Many of the girls who’ve joined us for Dominican Faith Camp over the years stay in touch, and tell me that their experience with our sisters has been a meaningful part of their faith formation,” said Sister Teresa Marron, who coordinated the camp.
This year’s campers enjoyed some new crafts (painting inspirational signs for their rooms and learning how to fold paper cranes), put on skits for the sisters, and enjoyed an evening dip in the sisters’ swimming pool.
Campers’ families also get a taste of the experience. They were treated to evening prayer, a tour of the convent and a hot dog dinner on Sunday evening, before leaving their daughters in the care of the Dominican Sisters for the next two days. At the end of the camp, on Tuesday, the families returned to listen to their daughters talk about their camp experience and share what they learned from their sister buddies.
“I was concerned about my daughter when I dropped her off,” one parent said. “I wasn’t sure she’d last through the camp. When I picked her up on Tuesday I felt like I was collecting a different child–she was happy and relaxed and didn’t want to leave!”
Dominican Faith Camp has been a summer tradition at Sacred Heart Convent for more than a decade. Watch for details about next year’s camp at this website and in your parish bulletin.
