CAYOCA draws 720 campers
By RENEE WEBB, Globe associate editor
Posted June 27, 2002

MANSON - The theme of this year's Camp CAYOCA - Celebrate Church/Fiesta de la Iglesia - tied into the centennial of the diocese as campers learned about their faith and the diocesan church.

"The workshops did an incredible job of focusing on the theme and giving the kids memorable experiences," said Pat Rinker, director of youth and young adult ministries of the diocese. "Camp did a great job of opening up and unfolding the centennial theme."

Daily themes centered on family, parish and diocese. They had maps of the diocese, so campers could get a better concept of the diocese and where their parish is located within the larger church.

About 720 third- to eighth-graders attended five sessions of the Catholic youth camp held at Twin Lakes Christian Center near Manson.

"I was at three camps (as diocesan representative) and they all went really well," said Linda Anderson, director of religious education for the diocese.

Once again, seventh- and eighth-graders took part in a service camp May 24 to 27. Campers prepped the waterfront for future camps, worked on landscaping, scraped and painted a barn owned by Twin Lakes Christian Center and did assorted other tasks.

"The kids really worked hard and worked together," said Rinker. They also had numerous prayer opportunities along with free time.

He described the sharing on the last day of camp as incredible. The campers spoke about the positive attributes in the small group leaders and the leaders did so with the youth.

At the four sessions for campers in third- through sixth-grade, students attended workshops and took part in prayer rotations. There was also plenty of time for recreation such as assorted waterfront activities, miniature golf, crafts, rollerblading and rockclimbing.

It offered a balanced experience that centered on a mix of the spiritual, educational and social.

Workshops focused on the theme, sacraments, Scripture, Mass preparation, reconciliation and a safety workshop offered by state troopers. Campers also took part in various forms of prayer through prayer rotations and prayer services. The day generally ends with a campfire and cabin devotions.

"Each day would start with morning prayer down by the waterfront. It was so beautiful with the sun sparkling on the water," noted Anderson. "The day starts and ends with prayer with a mix of spiritual and social things in between."

Rinker added that the camp was also packed with many catechetical, learning opportunities.

Tyler Neary, a fourth-grader from Carroll, said, "I like how you get to meet a whole bunch of friends from all over. And you get to do a lot of different things while in a religious camp."

A fellow fourth-grader, Nathan Greving, also from Carroll, said they got to have a lot of fun while learning.

The two identified many things they learned - about the sacraments, what happened in Jesus' life, more about reconciliation and Scripture.

Stephanie Peterman, a third-grader and parishioner at St. Mary's in Sac City, said she learned more about her own faith at CAYOCA.

"I like it at camp," she noted. "There are a lot of songs, activities and different crafts."

Michael Dischler, a fourth-grader from Rockwell City, said camp was fun. He especially liked the free-time activities such as miniature golf, swimming and paddleboats.

The camper also liked the chance to be actively involved in Mass.

Camp organizers explained that the campers played active roles in the liturgy such as giving the statement of belief, offering petitions serving as song leaders and altar servers.

For Abby Irlbeck of Carroll, a first-time camper, she liked the experience so much that she wants to go back next year.

"The people are great and there are a lot of things to do - games and activities. It keeps us going so we never get bored," she said.

Many of the small group leaders and workshop presenters say they get just as much out of camp.

Janelle Engel, a student at Briar Cliff University, presented the theme workshop at two sessions. She explained that in this camp setting there is a sense of community and spirit of enthusiasm to learn about the faith.

She said the camp ties in with the centennial because "we are building young people up so we can continue for another 100 years at least."

Organizers of the camp they are always impressed by the adults who volunteer to serve as small group leaders. Anderson pointed out that some offered to go to more sessions when the number of adult leaders was short. Many of the adults come back year after year.

"That's a huge testimony to the quality and the essence of the experience that our adults have at camp," stressed Rinker. "You think of Camp CAYOCA as for kids - but the adults' faith explodes and they love being there."

They expressed appreciation to the high school students who served as program assistants, to workshop presenters and small group leaders. Rinker and Anderson also gave thanks to Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation for their donation of materials used for banners and Pure Fishing Company for their donation of fishing rods and reels.