Local Catholic Colleges Host Variety of Summer Programs

By Patricia Rudy and Maria Gaetano
HERALD Staff Writers
(From the issue of 3/7/02)

Even after universities end their spring semesters, local campuses can be busy places. A sample of their summer offerings include athletic, educational and service activities for youths from age 6 through young adults.

Marymount University in Arlington offers a fashion institute and several summer sports camps for youths. Dori Freemyer of Campus Ministry said her son and daughter have attended both, enjoyed them immensely and learned a lot. Her son has attended at least one of the athletic camps since he was 6. He is now 12 and can continue until he is 18. For his soccer camp, he had a choice of three sessions, each five days long, Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-4p.m.

"They have extended hours for working parents, the kids work with the coach and players, hear guest speakers, learn the game’s fundamentals, eat in the cafeteria and get to swim in the pool," Freemyer said. In addition to the sports training, "it’s combined with fun," she said. "My son just loves them. It gives a child a chance to be on campus. And it’s not just for the kids who play on teams during the school year; it’s for those who are interested in learning about the sport."

Freemyer said her daughter took the summer fashion workshop when she was going into the ninth grade. "Marymount has one of the best fashion schools in the country," she said. "My daughter learned about design on computers, and about colors, dyes and fabric."

This summer two fashion workshops for those going in grades seven-nine are available. Session A, "Creative Design," will be held from July 8-12 and Session B, "Interactive Web Design," from July 15-19. Both run from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily, includes lunch and supplies, and costs $200.

For information call Marymount’s Fine and Applied Arts department at 703/284-1560.

One of the sports specialty camps is for girl’s basketball: a shooting, wing or post camps. They are designed for youths entering grades eight-12 in September 2002, who are experienced players ready for intensive work sessions. Participants are grouped with those at similar a skill level. Shooting Camps are offered in three sessions: I from May 17-19; II from June 14-16; and III from July 9-11. Wing Camp is from July 16-18; and the two Post Camps are Session I from June 18-20 and II from July 19-21. The weekend sessions run on Friday from 7-10 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Weeknight sessions run from 7-10 p.m. each evening. The cost is $155 for each session.

Girls’ general basketball camps will be in two sessions: I for those entering grades 5-8 in September will be held from June 24-28 at George Mason High School in Falls Church; and II for those entering grades 7-12 in September will be held from August 5-9 at Marymount. Both are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Attendees get a camp shirt, basketball and evaluation by the instructors, who are area high school and college coaches and college players. Campers may bring their lunch or purchase it from the snack bar at the high school or the cafeteria at the university. The cost is $200 per session.

Applications and brochures for girl’s basketball camps at the Web sites: www.marymount.edu/ssa/athletic/teampages/wbb/camp.html. Extra forms may be printed from:

www.marymount.edu/ssa/athletic/wbball. For further information call women’s coach Bill Finney at 703/284-1619. For boy’s basketball camps call men’s coach Chuck Driesell at 703/284-1515.

For soccer camps call coach Keith Moser at 703/284-1514; swim camps call coach Mike Clark at 703/284-3832.

At George Mason University in Fairfax, a 10 year tradition of Thursday Night Gatherings continues through June and July, sponsored by Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM). The free gatherings, held at the St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel and Student Center building, are geared toward college-age young adults and recent graduates, said Claire Wittenburg, campus minister.

The events help "keep them connected to campus ministry and fellowship over the summer" and recruits volunteers for CCM’s outreach activities which continue from the academic school year, she said. To publicize the summer program, CCM sends notices to all Virginia colleges, campus ministry offices and parishes. Wittenburg works with co-campus minister Nora Collins and Catholic Campus Ministry chaplain and director Father Peter Nasetta.

The gatherings, usually attended by 40-50 people, "begin and end with prayer," Wittenburg said. There are then ice-breakers led by student coordinators, followed by an hour presentation from a guest speaker or performer, and winding up with snacks and social time. They kickoff the first Thursday in June with a cookout and games from 6:30-8 p.m., hosted by the student Knights of Columbus Council. The subsequent regular programs run from 8-9:30 p.m.

Some of last summer’s faith-related presentations included "Being A Contagious Christian," "Global Solidarity," "Religion in the Movies and Media," "Volunteerism," "Women’s Roles in the Church Today" and a gospel and country music concert. Wittenburg said she has seen friendships form out of the gatherings.

At the evenings, CCM representatives ask attendees to be active in the three summer monthly outreach activities, visiting residents of: the Juvenile Detention Center in Fairfax; the Northern Virginia Training Center for special needs adults in Annandale; and the Fairfax Nursing Home.

At Juvenile Detention Center, volunteer students and a campus minister spend some time with the teens. For about an hour on a Wednesday evening, they have small group discussion followed by games in the gym such as kickball and volleyball. At the Northern Virginia Training Center, they hold a Sunday morning prayer service, consisting of the Liturgy of the Word and many sing-a-long songs. Late on a Friday afternoon, students go to the Fairfax Nursing Home for social outreach, which often start with ice cream Sundaes for all, followed by companionship and conversation.

On the last Thursday in July, the CCM gatherings conclude with a coffee house and talent show. Wittenburg said she is always amazed at the students’ numerous abilities and sharing of their gifts, she said.

The St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel and Student Center on George Mason University’s campus is located at 4515 Roberts Road in Fairfax. For information call 703/425-0022.

For many colleges, summers are a time for the administration and faculty to wind down, regroup and recuperate for the next school year. At Christendom College, however, there are several special programs and study- abroad opportunities while the regular schedule breaks for the summer. This year, Christendom will host a variety of popular educational programs including a FOCUS training program, Christendom in Spain, Summer Music Colloquium, Summer Institute, High School Summer College and the Notre Dame Graduate School Summer Session.

FOCUS

Curtis Martin, President of FOCUS (The Fellowship of Catholic University Students), will lead a training session for a group of 50 college missionaries from May 23 - July 12.

Christendom in Spain

Christendom College professors Dr. Jonathan Reyes and Dr. Christopher Blum will direct the three-week study abroad program, from May 26-June 15. The trip begins in Fatima, Portugal, and includes the Spanish cities of Avila, Toledo, Segovia, Burgos, Madrid and Salamanca. This directed tour will include lectures on Spanish cultural and political history. Open to the general public and especially to college students, program participants may receive college credit or not, as they prefer. Call for fee and information; early registration is recommended.

Music Colloquium

The 12th Annual Summer Liturgical Music Colloquium will be held June 18-June 23 under the co-sponsorship of the Church Music Association of America. An experienced staff of instructors will lead sessions in Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony, both English and Latin, for organists, singers, choir conductors and parish priests. There is a program fee.

Summer Institute

This year’s Summer Institute, to be held July 5-7, will feature Scott Hahn, Jeff Cavins, college president Timothy O’Donnell, Tim Gray, Curtis Martin and other Christendom College faculty. The theme of the weekend lectures and discussions will be "Building the Civilization of Love." Open to the general public. There is a fee.

High School Summer College

Christendom’s 2002 High School Summer College is scheduled for July 7-19. Organized by the Christendom College Admissions Office, this year’s High School Summer College attracts students from across the country and beyond. Current high school juniors and seniors who participate in this program will be treated to courses in theology, philosophy, political science and literature, all taught by Christendom’s own faculty. "Campers" will go on outdoor excursions to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley, and visit Washington, D.C., to see such sites as the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the US Capitol and the National Gallery of Art. In addition, participants will enjoy volleyball, basketball and poolside relaxation. This program is open to high school juniors and seniors. There is an application process and a program fee.

NDGS Summer Session

For six weeks (June 25-Aug. 2), Notre Dame Graduate School students will enjoy Christendom’s campus while taking classes in the fundamentals of moral theology, the Liturgy and the Sacraments, the mystical life, the Johannine Gospel, philosophical errors and the Catholic Epistles and the Book of Revelation. These classes are open to those who apply and register. There is tuition cost; room and board is available.

For more information on any of the Christendom College programs, go to www.christendom.edu or call 800-877-5456.

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