CAYOCA draws 650 campers

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
(Email Renee)

Grade school-age students in the Diocese of Sioux City spent their time at CAMP CAYOCA Surfin' the Saints.

According to Linda Anderson, director of catechesis for the diocese, about 650 students in third- through eighth-grade attended five sessions of camp. This Catholic youth camp is held every summer at the Twin Lakes Christian Center near Manson.

Camp kicked off on Memorial Day Weekend with seventh and eighth graders attending a service camp. About 100 students attended this camp, which was an actual work experience. They cleaned up the grounds and prepared the camp at Twin Lakes Christian Center for future summer sessions as well as worked on ongoing projects at the center.

Following the service camp, two sessions for fifth and sixth graders were offered as well as two sessions for third and fourth graders.

"Before the campers go to workshops each morning, we have morning prayer down at the waterfront. Sister Julie Tebbe for the last few years has created these prayers for us. It's just beautiful," noted Anderson.

At each session, campers attended four educational workshops built around the theme of saints. They also took part in a reconciliation workshop and service, Mass preparation activities and prayer rotations. The prayer rotations are led by teenage program assistants.

Anderson explained that each camper was able to play an active role at one of the daily liturgies - reciting statements of belief, prayers of the faithful, song leaders, greeters and other roles.

Father Joe Dillinger, pastor at St. Elizabeth Seton in Glidden and Holy Family in Lidderdale, served as the spiritual director for two sessions of camp. At the last session of the year for third and fourth graders, during the reconciliation service the priest stood on a surfboard, which had pictures of saints plastered on it. He asked the students to pray to God for the courage "to get back up on their surfboards" when they failed.

With the tune "Wipe Out" as background music, Father Dillinger tumbled off the surfboard.

"When we fall off the surfboard, that represents sin. Then what are going to do? We are going to try again," he stressed to the students.

Pointing to the pictures of the saints, he reminded them that even the saints were not perfect; they all had their faults and failings. These saints, however, had the strength to keep going. With this in mind, Father Dillinger told the campers that they can ask the saints to give them strength in times of trouble.

"Jesus will give us infinite opportunities to get back on the surfboard," he said.

He tied the theme of the saints into the homily at the closing camp liturgy as well. Father Dillinger also reminded the students that everyone is holy and God calls each of them to holiness.

Mark Koedam of Hartley has served as a camp coordinator for the last three years, but he has volunteered in some capacity at the camp for 10 years.

"I enjoy it. It's part of my vacation. Some people ask me why I don't take a real vacation. I explain this is a vacation because of the interaction with the kids and the adults. It expands my network of friends," he stressed. "It is a special place and that's why I keep coming back."

He has found the camp to be invaluable in the opportunities it presents to the students for spiritual growth.

"There is reinforcement from the workshops, reinforcement from group leaders and reinforcement from Twin Lakes staff," said Koedam. "The campers can experience their faith in a different setting."

Janet Klein of Hospers, music leader for one of the sessions, said it was very rewarding to see the students so excited about their faith.

Between the atmosphere and the type of lively songs offered during camp, she noted there had to be little prodding to get the students into singing. They did it willingly, which is not something she always finds in the parish.

"It's a great place. If even more people would volunteer, that would be great, too," she said.

At each camp, the students were accompanied by group leaders from their home parish.

Katie Severson, a 2004 high school graduate from Estherville, served as a group leader at the third/fourth grade camp. She found it to be a great way to build her own relationship with God. She had attended camp two times as a students.

Many of the group leaders are parents.

Sandy Mann, a parent who served as a group leader from Estherville, described camp as an uplifting experience. This was the fourth year she has volunteered at camp.

"It renews your faith," she said.

Anderson pointed out that many of the volunteers say they get as much out of the camp as the students.

She also mentioned that the camp offered a balance of activities, providing ample recreational time in addition to the educational and spiritual offerings. Twin Lakes offers a variety of activities such as candle making in the Craft Corner, roller skating and rock climbing. Numerous waterfront activities range from swimming and fishing to paddleboats.

Alex Mark, a camper from Salix, said camp was really fun.

"I liked fishing," he said. "Mike the fishing counselor is really cool."

Another camper, Jacob Pearson of Marcus, said he liked miniature golf as well as the songs and activities at the flagpole before every meal.

Meredith McGill of Rock Valley liked learning about the saints in the workshops.

She also enjoyed the variety of games in the recreational room.