Wilderness Adventure: 6-Day Middle School Program
“I saw God through the people I met. They were so full of joy and on fire for the Lord. It was inspiring. During this week I grew to a great understanding of who God is. For the first time in a long time, I felt complete. It was so easy to be myself up here. The highlight of my week was the overnight. I felt so close to nature. After this week I plan to pray daily. This week gave my soul nourishment that I didn’t know I needed.”
FEATURES
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Average group size: 10 campers* / 2-3 joy-filled and well-trained counselors counselors
Encounter our Lord through incredible adventures in the Rocky Mountains
Spend the day soaking in the beauty and vastness of the outdoors and then go to sleep in 25 foot teepees
Put Christ at the center of the fun with daily Mass, Adoration, and ample opportunities for Confession and prayer.
Experience a joyful Catholic community while learning why the Catholic faith is so beautiful!
Try new things including fishing, hiking, archery, a highline course through the trees and more. Learn about God and His church throughout each adventure experience.
Please note: rock climbing and white water rafting are NOT a part of the middle school program
Marvel at the night sky while camping overnight on Camp Wojtyla’s property
Form a sisterhood or brotherhood with fellow campers and learn from amazing counselor mentors
Learn the skills to camp confidently in the outdoors
Be challenged individually and as a team to do hard things, grow in confidence, and leadership skills
Elevation range: 7,000 to 10,000 ft
*For campers entering 6th, 7th and 8th grade; Campers must be at least 11 years old by October 1st to participate.
DESCRIPTION
During the Wilderness Adventure Program on Camp Wojtyla’s 1,200 acre wilderness property, campers experience an intentionally crafted and sequenced program that seamlessly integrates adventure, faith, and formation. Middle school campers live jam-packed days of adventure. They learn to shoot a bow and arrow, fish in our pond, traverse through the trees on our highline course, and participate in a variety of challenges and competitions among teepee groups. Counselors debrief each activity to help campers draw lessons which they can take with them off the mountain. The joyful celebration of the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, are the center of each day. Campers form Christ-centered friendships as they take on challenges, both personally and as a team. The evenings are filled with bonfires, night games, and time to pray and reflect on the day. Our goal is for campers to leave with a deep sense of God’s love for them and a desire to live life to the full in Jesus Christ!
“This week I learned more about God and I grew twice as deep in my faith. I saw God in every activity that I learned. I had so much fun learning outdoor activities, learning about God, and making friends.”
A DAY IN THE LIFE
While no day is “typical” at Camp Wojtyla, campers can expect most of the following elements on most days:
7am - Rise and shine as a teepee group. Morning hygiene routine, short prayer as a group, pack daypacks and dress for the days’ activities
8am - Breakfast in Basecamp
9am - Morning activity block (could include archery, fishing, crafts, highline, relay challenge, prayer time, hiking, low ropes, or other activities)
12:30pm - Sack lunch break, group processing
1:30pm - Afternoon activity block (could include archery, fishing, crafts, highline, relay challenge, prayer time, hiking, low ropes, or other activities)
5pm - All camp Mass
5:45pm - Friendly group competitions and songs
6pm - Hot dinner and skits in basecamp
6:45pm - Trading post is open
7pm - Night program (night game, adoration/confession, off-mainsite overnight, campfire, or other activities)
9pm - Return to teepees for small group time; prepare for bed
10pm - “Lights out”
*Campers are always supervised.
*There is structured free time including time to pray together and what the campers know and love as Teepee time.
