Damascus, an Ohio-based Catholic missionary movement now in its 25th season of offering camps, retreats and resources for nearly 7,000 young summer campers and more than 25,000 annually, has a simple yet powerful motto: “Jesus isn’t boring. His church isn’t, either.”
And to prove it, they’re poised to inaugurate their third location. In Emmitsburg, Md., it’s nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains 90 miles from Northern Virginia, and about three miles from the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and Mount St. Mary’s University.
Damascus Summit Lake will open June 7 at the site of a Bible camp that had operated there since the early 1900s. Registrations are now being accepted.
A comprehensive renovation has been underway, according to Aaron Richards, executive director of operations and finance.
Improvements include rebuilding nearly all the camper cabins, as well as modernizing the auditorium to will allow for Mass, worship, adoration, preaching and stage productions.
Richards said Damascus is also constructing several exciting adventure activities. Termed “a teenager’s dream playground,” it includes a high ropes course, zipline, giant swing, climbing wall, water course, paintball, archery tag and more.
It’s perhaps a blend of activity and adoration for middle and high school summer campers, and an opportunity to see that their faith can be an adventure.
It might also keep them Catholic.
“A unique statistic that was released just a few years ago suggested that, at the age of 13, a young person makes a lifelong decision as to whether they’re going to remain Catholic,” Richards said. “And it’s curious, because at the age of 13, no 13-year-old is worried about church politics, or church finances, or all of the stuff that we try to wrestle with. What a 13-year-old is concerned about is relevance. Is it possible for me, here, to have a life changing encounter with a real person?”
“That’s truly our vision and our mission. We want to introduce every young person and their family to a life-changing encounter with Jesus and the church,” Richards said. “And we found that one of the best ways to do that is by creating these mountaintop camp experiences that can then interface with parishes, and schools and families — to live it every day of the year.”
More than 1,000 parishes and schools are represented among Damascus participants. Many campers go on to serve as missionaries with the organization. Damascus now has more than 250 “alumni” missionaries who not only serve in the summer, but in year-round ministry.
“We know that this model works really well to get kids off their cell phones, into nature, and in front of our Lord Jesus — to celebrate Mass every day; to engage actively in a life of prayer,” Richards said. “We teach them how to pray with Scripture. We give them opportunities for confession and adoration.
“All of this happens in the midst of an adventurous environment where they’re being challenged and given opportunities to participate in really fun and exciting events with their friends,” he said. “All of these things happen in an environment where they can learn to say ‘yes’ — and they can recognize and realize for themselves that, ‘Wow, my faith can really be an enjoyable and fulfilling part of my life and my friendships.’ ”
Heatherington is a freelancer in Alexandria.
