“Being with these kids helped me realize how to be more patient and charitable. They are full of excitement and love, and I want to give back to God and everyone around me.”
That is how one teenage volunteer described her week at the summer day camp of the parish of Our Lady of Loretto.
From July 13th to 17th, 2026, torganized a kids’ summer day camp for students in grades 3 through 7. Many children look forward to this event every summer. Every year, the camp has a theme that all campers are encouraged to reflect on throughout the event. This year’s theme was “Our Heavenly Father’s Love Overflows.”
Teenagers in service
Teenagers in grades 8 through 12 have the opportunity to serve as volunteers. Teams are formed based on their preferences, and they work on activities such as workshops, seminars, arts and crafts, sports and games, audio-visual presentations, and hospitality. These teams require teamwork, sacrifice, communication, and respect. Each team has different goals and objectives to achieve during the days they spend with the children.
Three voices from the camp
I asked a camper, a volunteer, and a parent how the camp helped them grow in their love for God and experience His presence in their lives.
A younger camper said:
“It was fun, and I met new people. In the seminar, we learned a lot of new things. I feel like what I learned can be applied in my own life, especially with my family and friends, helping me become closer to them with God’s help.”
A parent shared:
“As a parent, it’s reassuring to know that my child is in an environment where they experience God’s love and learn about Him. I get to see my child come home happy and excited to tell me what they learned and about the new friends they’ve made. Based on what they tell me, they’ve learned a lot from the seminars and the volunteers who taught them, and they’re having fun learning about God in such a meaningful way.”
As the camp and summer draw to a close, we thank all the volunteers and parishioners who made this possible. We also hope that each child takes what they have learned and puts it into action within their own families and among their friends.
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