Damascus summer camps are celebrating their 25th anniversary. The camps focus on bringing youth to Christ. The camps provide a place for youth to learn and grow in their faith.
6 days ago
Damascus Catholic Youth Summer Camp, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, began as a small parish initiative in central Ohio for middle schoolers 1. Co-founder and executive director Dan DeMatte sought to create a vibrant, attractive Catholic faith experience for young people, countering the trend of youth leaving the Church for other denominations 1 3. The camp's core mission is to "awaken, empower, and equip a generation to live the adventure of the Catholic faith through world-class programs and an environment of encounter" 1.
From its humble beginnings with 63 campers, Damascus has grown into a massively popular national missionary movement, serving nearly 7,000 campers each summer 1 3. The organization operates main campuses in Centerburg, Ohio, and Brighton, Michigan, with a new location, Damascus Summit Lake, set to open near Emmitsburg, Maryland, in summer 2026 1 3. Despite its rapid expansion, Damascus has maintained an annual waitlist of over 2,000 youth, indicating high demand for its programs 3.
The success of Damascus is attributed to what is internally called "the Damascus difference," which combines high-adventure activities with a profound focus on Christ 1 3. Campers engage in activities such as paintball, rock climbing, zip-lining, and high ropes courses, which leaders believe foster a "high-adventure faith" 1 3. DeMatte notes that many campers initially come for the adventure but leave with Eucharistic Adoration as their favorite experience 1.
The camp's spiritual emphasis includes active participation in Eucharistic adoration, guidance on how to hear God in prayer, joyful engagement within the Christian community, and witnessing the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit 1. This approach aims to transform faith from an intellectual concept into a "real, alive, conscious, and active" encounter with God 1.
Beyond its flagship summer camp, which runs from June to August, Damascus offers a variety of year-round programs 1 3. These include winter camps, confirmation retreats, parish and school retreats, as well as adult retreats for men, women, and young adults, and an annual worship conference 1. The organization also deploys over 250 missionaries who serve year-round in various ministries across the country 3.
The impact of Damascus on its attendees is significant and lasting 1 3. Post-camp data from last year showed that 98% of campers believed in the Real Presence, a stark contrast to the national average of 27% 3. Daily prayer incorporation also saw a dramatic increase, from 27% before camp to 82% after 3. Many attendees develop a "missionary zeal," initiating worship nights, Bible studies, and involvement in social charities within their communities 3. Furthermore, over 51% of campers express openness to discerning a vocation after attending, with some going on to become priests, religious sisters, or forming vibrant Catholic marriages 3. Parents, like Brigitte Kirchgatter, observe that their children return more like the inspiring young adult leaders they encountered at camp, reinforcing their Catholic faith 1.
How does the Church evangelize youth through faith formation?
The Church evangelizes youth through faith formation by helping them encounter the living Christ and understand fundamental truths of the faith, fostering their active participation in the Church, and guiding them in spiritual discernment . This process involves both large-scale events and consistent, everyday pastoral care .
A primary aspect of evangelizing youth is the clear proclamation of essential truths of the faith. Young people need to be helped to arrive at certain basic certainties, such as: "God is love," "Christ saves you," "He lives," and "the Spirit gives life." Additionally, the certainty that "Our Lady loves you because she is a mother" is also emphasized . These truths provide a foundation amidst the challenges and negative news that young people may encounter daily, reinforcing that the risen Christ is with them and is more powerful than any evil .
To facilitate an encounter with the living Christ, the Church offers various opportunities:
Evangelization of youth is not a one-sided process but requires their active involvement and empowerment. Young people should not be merely recipients of pre-determined ideas or activities; instead, they should be listened to genuinely and involved in dialogue, planning, and decision-making within the Church . This approach makes them feel like active and full participants in the Church's life and recognizes their call to be the primary evangelizers to their peers .
Spiritual discernment is an essential element in youth faith formation. It is an art that pastoral ministers, including priests, religious, catechists, and adult guides, must learn and cultivate. For young people, finding someone capable of discernment is invaluable, as a wise guide can help them avoid mistakes, naiveté, bewilderment, and "paralysis" in their faith journey and vocational discovery . Discernment is characterized by three key aspects:
While large-scale events like World Youth Day (WYD) are significant opportunities for many young people, including those not regularly involved in the Church, to encounter Jesus and hear the Gospel's message of hope, the "ordinary paths" of youth ministry are equally vital . This includes daily pastoral care characterized by "small steps, small numbers, simple words and actions, everyday decisions and moments of celebration and prayer in community." These less spectacular experiences are often the ones that touch hearts and bear lasting fruit over time, fostering "holiness in daily life" .
In summary, the Church's evangelization of youth through faith formation is a comprehensive effort that combines the clear proclamation of core truths, the provision of opportunities for personal encounter with Christ, the empowerment of young people to be active participants and evangelizers, and guidance in spiritual discernment, all sustained by both major events and consistent, everyday pastoral care .