Nativity Youth Camp
Why We Do This?
The Cathedral Church of the Nativity has had some form of Camp ministry for over 100 years. It began as a choir camp and has been transformed many times in the past century. We do it because it’s a great tradition, and a place where life long friendships have begun.
We Love our Children and Youth
We believe that our children and youth are our most treasured members of the community. We want to provide them with a safe and fun place to explore their faith and form friendships that will last a lifetime. It is one of our most intentional and successful ministries at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity.
Who Can Go
All members of the Cathedral community over the age of 8 (having completed 2nd grade) are invited to attend camp as either a camper, counselor, or adult staff.
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There is no cost to campers to participate
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Those in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to be counselors
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Adult Staff have completed all criminal back ground checks and Safe Guarding God’s Children training in order to attend camp as staff.
The expense of camp, approximately $300.00 per camper (which includes room, board and program for the week), is paid for out of the Cathedral's budget and fundraising. If you would like to support camp DONATE NOW. Thank you!
Nativity Youth Camp is first and foremost a church camp and one of the central aspects of our time together is worship. We have time for prayer and religious education daily. We celebrate Morning Prayer & Eucharist together throughout the week.
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Morning prayer daily
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Wednesday Afternoon — We celebrate Eucharist in the beautiful camp chapel built in 1876.
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Saturday Morning — We our Eucharist is celebrated with our families to conclude our time together at Camp Choconut.
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Camp Sunday Morning — (Sunday immediately following camp) We lead the Cathedral Community in worship and share our songs, our reflections and our experience from Camp with the community who supported this time away.
What Do We Do?
Theme Activities
Each year there is a theme for our week together at camp. There are many activities, games, or arts and crafts that focus on this theme. For the summer of 2021 we focused on what it has been like to journey through a pandemic. We talked about our grief, losses, and also the opportunities and joys that we have experienced. The kids participated in team building activies, musical improvisations, and built luminaria boats together. At the end of the week they added their prayers and hopes, lit candles, and set them out into night on Lake Choconut.
Sleep in Cabins with Friends
In the wonder of God's beautiful creation we play games, make crafts, learn about our faith, and grow as a community of believers. We stay at serene Camp Choconut in Friendsville, PA. Cabins are single gender and assigned by the camp director. There are youth counselors in each cabin and adult staff stay in nearby cabins.
Swimming & Boating
Camp Choconut has a lake, which we use daily. The water is refreshing after an afternoon of running around in the summer weather!
Olympic Games
Campers participate in team games designed for all ages and abilities as a little silly fun on a daily basis.
Tournament Games
Kickball and handball are the two games included in the competition to win the coveted Broken Bat award. Every camper gets a chance to participate, learn how to play, and show their athletic ability.
Campfire
Each night a group puts on a campfire. This means skits, songs, and other entertainment before bed, which is creative and always fun.
Music
We love to sing and be musical at camp! Campers and staff become the choir and have often performed an offertory anthem, which relates to the theme of the week.
Free Time
Campers get the opportunity to participate in their choice of activities during free time. These include bird watching, hiking, napping in your cabin, or arts and crafts.