News: CYC Ready to Welcome Kids Back to Camp

May 20, 2021

by Kelly Mescher Collins

After the cancellation of almost all activities in 2020, staff at Catholic Youth Camp are ready for this summer to begin. 

"We are so excited to get kids back to camp," said Alex Kautzky, executive director of CYC. "Having their joyful noise back on our campus will be so wonderful."

Don't wait to get your kids signed up - spaces are extremely limited, already surpassing registration numbers at this time in 2019.

"We are trending higher than we ever have before," Kautzky said. "We are full or nearly full on all of our camps."

CYC is on track to have its most popular season ever.

"When we cancelled summer 2020, we immediately set our eyes on 2021," Kautkzy continued. "It could be the most important camping season of our children's lives, and we are really gearing up for the first normal activity that kids are going to be able to be involved in since the vaccination roll out.”

 Staff are ready to welcome them, hiring double the staff for the 2021 season. 

"It just allows us to do more in terms of faith programming and [unique opportunities]," Kautzky said.

This year CYC will be offering a Spa Night in the girls' cabins and Pirates at the Pool for the boys.

CYC offers 15 outdoor activities, including a new foam zone and an entirely reimaged week for high schoolers that will include inflatables and laser tag.

Camp incorporates the Catholic faith component multiple ways, including the celebration of Mass every day, faith programming, confession and a renewed focus on the Eucharistic. This year, they will highlight the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a teenager who had a love for Jesus and spent his free time building a website to document Eucharistic miracles around the world. He died in 2006 at age 15.

A diocesan priest will continue the tradition of serving at camp for the summer. Three diocesan seminarians will also inspire youth, interact with the kids and serve as a joyful witness to their faith, Kautzky said.

"We feel confident it's going to be an amazing and safe summer with all of the faith and the fun that we have always offered," Kautzky concluded.

Learn more and register at STMCenter.com.