What a ride summer 2020 was! I have lost count of how many times I expressed, “Well, that is not what I expected.” Each time we had a plan in place to put on a bit of summer camp we were thwarted by COVID-19. Clearly, summer camp 2020 was not supposed to happen at least in the way that many folks (especially our campers) would have preferred. We were able to squeeze out one week and camp joy was had by all who attended. That was definitely a bright spot.
 
Truth be told I am not a fan of roller coasters.  Some people just love them, but not me. I am not a fan of the anticipation of the drop or the drop. I feel quite nauseous just thinking about it. I had that feeling often as we moved through the summer. Maybe others did as well. At any rate, I feel fairly confident that no one enjoyed the summer roller coaster ride of 2020.

The saving grace for me was hanging on tight to the highs becuase in spite of the disappointments we had quite a few sweet moments. 
 
Here is a glimpse... 

• Staff members working hard to get camp ready and gracefully stepping away after camp was canceled.
• Two months of staying connected posts that would keep you busy for a lot longer.
• Watching our new grotto take shape. 
• Two amazing fun-draisers! T-shirts and the Curbside Cook-out!
• A paint job on the canoe shed and a new dock.
• Donations, dontations, donations (feeling grateful)!
• Opening our online camp store (visit at www.campranchoframasa.org). 
• Volunteers.
• Sweet messages from our camp community (thanks for cheering us on).

  
This was not the summer any of us planned and at times it felt quite hard but staying open and connected to the good stuff and being hopeful about camp's future keeps us going. 

Currently, we are excited for fall. It is looking brighter! With COVID-19 safe practices in place (including masks, distancing, sanitizing, and daily staff screenings), we feel good about safely hosting people at camp. We are ready to have some fun! Stay tuned to our social media and emails (newsletter coming soon) for ways that you can connect at camp. 

Good stuff is on its way! 

 Angi K Sulivan
CYO Camp Co-director

​Summer 1978, I was ten years old and for the first time I attended summer camp at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa and from that time forward, it has been an essential part of my life. I barely remember summers without camp. From camper, to staff member, to co-director, the essence of summer camp has been the foundation of how I experience summer. In addition, it has been a significant contributor to who I am as a person and I know I am not alone when I share the sentiment that a summer without camp is just not summer.

However, the priority this summer has shifted and it has become the collective physical health of our communities and that changes everything about how we can interact, live, eat, play, and socialize at camp. For me, it is important to not get stuck in what summer will not be but rather focus on what summer can be and the exciting opportunity that we each have to create a little bit of summer camp magic for ourselves. So, yes, we will sacrifice a typical summer camp experience this summer and while we cannot replace its inherent camp-ness, I believe we can create some camp in our everyday lives.  

Before we get to that, let me say…some activities will be happening on camp property this summer. In June, we will be making improvements to our facility and will be doing A LOT of cleaning as we prepare for some unique programs in July. We are wild with our brainstorming efforts and will be sharing those opportunities soon. We cannot wait!

In the meantime, we will continue to provide some camp joy for all ages via the internet. This is where you will find some inspiration to make your very own camp like experiences. At the very least we are sure that many of our posts will bring you a smile BUT will also bring you some ideas on how to explore your faith, explore outside, help others, and to always, always, always HAVE FUN! (because that is exactly what we do at camp).

 Here are some ways to create some camp at home--
1. Check out our virtual fun to help you get going...we post daily on Facebook and Instagram. Our weekly themes beginning, today, June 1: 

• Superheroes of Faith
• Get Moving
• Fantasy
• Disney
• Amazing Race

 You can expect:

• Monday: Make it Monday 
• Tuesday: Stewards of the Earth 
• Wednesday: Games 
• Thursday: Outside Discovery 
• Friday: Faith Friday 
  

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2.  Join us for morning faith reflections on Tuesdays and Thursdays (also on Facebook & Instagram).

3. Read our blog posts. They come out every other Monday and you can subscribe on our blog page:  https://www.campranchoframasa.org/blog

Summer 2020 is not how any of us at camp have imagined it to be nor would we choose it to be this way. We would much rather be welcoming in campers to live the experience that is summer camp at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa. But for now, we will do our best to provide a different kind of camp experience with our hearts and minds focused on the pieces of camp we can share.

​By the way, we also cannot wait until Summer Camp 2021! 

Until we are together again,
Angi K Sullivan
CYO Camp Co-director

Throughout my faith journey I have come to recognize a reality: testimonies are powerful! One of the first testimonies I can remember hearing was during a retreat in Wisconsin when I was in high school. Interestingly enough, I often reflect on this experience and its format as I now create and plan retreats. It was the perfect mix of using what a camp has to offer by way of the outdoors and a powerful faith encounter. We had daily devotions, scripture readings and prayer as well as some survival type team building scenarios. The combination led to a powerful and dynamic faith and bonding experience.

As part of the faith programming, we heard the testimony from a Christian speaker. I do not recall his name, but I do remember his message. It was an all too familiar Augustine style narrative. You know the ones I’m referring to - man was raised religious, decided to rebel, fell heavily into drugs, alcohol and promiscuity, hit rock bottom, had a life altering God moment, repented and is now speaking to others, cautioning of his woes.

There are many of these types of stories out there, very dramatic and powerful conversion moments. It may sound like I am a little negative toward these, and that is semi-intentional. To be clear I am not against these types of stories - they are powerful narratives and stories that need to be told to demonstrate how powerful God is and how he can work and how everyone, regardless of previous actions, is offered forgiveness through Christ.

The hint of negativity comes in when people who have not had these powerful, dramatic conversion moments begin to think, “Hmm, my story isn’t anything like that. Did I do something wrong? Is my life just too boring? Do I love God as much as they do?” This is a trap that I got to see firsthand as a youth minister. I remember having a conversation with an adult volunteer about giving his testimony. I knew the volunteer well and I knew his story, and it was exactly what I wanted. He, on the other hand, was not so sure. His response was something like, “You want me to give my testimony? Why? It’s not a very good one.” That was the moment I had this entire revelation. I responded with something like, “If God is in the story, it is a powerful one.”

It was during this time that I decided I had a mission. I wanted to make sure that my volunteers and those I worked with knew that they have a powerful story, regardless of how they came to their faith. I know many who have had those powerful, dramatic stories, and they are great! So many people, especially young people, are tempted by innumerable different false promises the world has to offer and we need people who have been there to tell them it isn’t all it cracks up to be.
However, I also know many people who grew up in their faith, never strayed and continue to this day. THAT IS A POWERFUL STORY!! It is often tempting to try and spice our stories up, but we don’t have to!

First off, that is a powerful testament to not only that person for remaining faithful for so long, but also to their parents and families who have done such a great job of creating a family culture that fosters that kind of faith. Just to note, I am not saying this if children stray it is the fault of the parents. Sometimes you can provide the perfect atmosphere and culture and still people have free will and can choose a different direction regardless.

Secondly, just as there are those young people out there who are being tempted to the not so great things in this world, there are also young people out there that are living a faith filled life and who, just like my volunteer, think that they may be doing something wrong. Questioning whether they should be trying to have these intense conversion moments. We need young people to be hearing stories from those who are just like them - living a faith filled life, but not necessarily having a big conversion moment.

​To wrap up, my point is, as long as your story has God in it, it is a powerful one! Personally, my story has a bit of both. It definitely is not crazy party goer turned saint (not that I am a saint, far from it!), but also not “cradle” Catholic continuing his journey. Everyone’s story, regardless of drama, is a powerful testament to the love, patience and devotion God has for all of us. There is no “boring” God story.
 
Tom Gattuso
Program Director

Wow! Our lives may be moving slowly…yet our world and country are changing fast.  It is strange to look back at the past several weeks and see how truly different things are in this moment.
 We are all dealing with our own individual challenges during this time. Some are coping with the loss of financial security; some are dealing with a continued work schedule in an essential position and thank heaven for them.  Others are learning to slow down and enjoy spending time with our families, while some of us are facing the challenge of being separated from loved ones and families. Then, there are those of us who are just struggling to remember what day of the week it is.
          
However, we seem to finally be reaching a point, where our national, state, and local governments are developing plans to ease us back into a “new normal.” Though this may be an uneasy time for all of us there is something we must all keep in mind, that we are all meeting this challenge from our own perspectives so be kind out there! A friend of mine recently posted the following, something I found to be a beautiful way of approaching this transitional period.
 
🛑 Some people don’t agree with the state opening.... that’s okay. Be kind.
🏡 Some people are still planning to stay home.... that’s okay. Be kind.
🦠 Some are still scared of getting the virus and a second wave happening.... that’s okay. Be kind.
💰 Some are sighing with relief to go back to work knowing they may not lose their business or their homes.... that’s okay. Be kind.
👩🏾‍⚕️Some are thankful they can finally have a surgery they have put off.... that’s okay. Be kind.
📝 Some will be able to attend interviews after weeks without a job.... that’s okay. Be kind.
😷 Some will wear masks for weeks.... that’s okay. Be kind.
💅🏻 Some people will rush out to get the hair or nails done.... that’s okay. Be kind.
❤️ The point is, everyone has different viewpoints/feelings and that’s okay. Be kind.
We each have a different story. If you need to stay home, stay home. But be kind.
If you need to go out, be respectful others when in public and be kind!

Don’t judge fellow humans because you’re not in their story. We all are in different mental states than we were months ago. So remember, be kind.
Kindness is contagious too. ❤
 
I am reminded of a quote from the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” I believe that is a statement to live by during all of the upheaval we are enduring.  We may not be able to change the minds of others, or get them to see things our way, but we can be kind, respectful, and accept that this is going to be a challenge for all of us. It is our choice to treat others with kindness, to reserve judgement, and to move forward with an attitude of gratitude and positivity. 

Larissa Hurm
Assistant Program Director

​As the shelter in place order remains in place, I find myself more often focused on the “what will happen next?” Will we or won’t we be open in time for summer camp? I tell myself the same thing I tell anyone who asks, “At this time we just don’t know”. We are doing all we can to stay on the path of opening in some way but truly only time will tell. This uncertainty is certainly challenging to abide, but finding ways to ground myself in the present moment has been helpful. 

I find steady footing in what I am choosing to work on, read, watch, and listen to. Before the “shelter in place”, I started reading “The Book of Awakening” by Mark Nepo. It is one of those books that gives you a nugget of inspiration to carry with you throughout the day as each section has a quote and a 5- 6 paragraph reflection followed by points to ponder. Some of these readings land better than others, and while this book was written well before the pandemic I am finding that some apply very well to this situation. This past week produced two golden readings.

April 21: “Another name for God is surprise.” ---Brother David Steindel-Rast
The author speaks to the idea that we do not always embrace the obstacles in our lives as a way to grow as humans or in our understanding of God and the great mystery of life. He gives several examples of how tragedy often gives birth to some new and wonderful thing. He calls this God’s surprise and finishes with “For God is seldom in our plans, but always in the unexpected.”

Of course, this pandemic was not expected and it is challenging for many and if any one of us could take away the suffering and dying we would but that may not be our work. Our work may be to see God in the mystery of it and to “develop strength in our spirit” as we dive deeper into the human experience.

And April 22: “If you can’t see what you are looking for, see what is there.” Mark Nepo
In this passage the author reflects on his experience with cancer treatment. He is in the midst of the struggle and asks himself, “Where is God?” and from somewhere even he cannot identify it comes to him, “Here... right now.” He goes on to say that the presence of God is not eliminated during difficult times; he is always there. Abundance is always there. In all situations, we have everything we need if we just lean into His presence.

Yes, these truths are grounding and his book has steadied me in this uncertain time, but that is not all. 

Doing my job as Camp Co-Director has also been quite satisfying, reassuring and grounding. Even with the uncertainty in camp life right now, knowing that the camp family is out there reading about, thinking about, engaging with, cheering us on, and praying for camp is life giving. I am hopeful that people like what we are posting and stay tuned for whatever happens next. 

The goal is to open, to enjoy summer camp, to sing at the top of my lungs while waiting in line for my lunch, and to welcome the camp family back to this place of faith, love and community. In the meantime, faith is a great place to stand with both feet planted in the present, trusting God to hold us steady as the “what will happen next” unfolds. 

Angi Sullivan
Camp Co-Director

These last few weeks have certainly been trying times for many of us. This is unlike any challenge presented to our nation or our world for generations. We are stuck in our homes, unable to leave to go about our normal lives and routines, with only a walk around the neighborhood for any kind of consolation. Even the grocery store has become a place for caution.

I know for my family and I these weeks have been a time of stress, uncertainty, sickness, and fear. Right around the time Eric Holcomb, Indiana’s Governor, announced the stay at home order, our daughter began showing symptoms of a respiratory virus. Naturally, we assumed the worst. She was tested for a panel of known viruses, all of which came back negative. This meant that she had an unknown viral illness. Again, we assumed the worst for her and ourselves. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last year and asthma when I was 13, both of which put me at a higher risk of complications of COVID 19.  I was plagued with so many dark thoughts, the worst of which, if something did happen to me, my daughter would not even remember me.

My daughter had a lot of rough nights when she was sick, so we were constantly in her room rocking her back to sleep. I remember one of these nights I was very upset so I spent some time in prayer and a deep peace came over me and I cannot help but reflect on that now during this most special week.

Pope Francis recently made a statement about Holy Week that feels very applicable during these strange times:
“Holy Week is a privileged time when we are called to draw near to Jesus: friendship with him is shown in times of difficulty.”
I would definitely say these times can be described as difficult, but as I sat with my daughter in my arms deep in a conversation with God, I was reminded of how blessed my life has been up to that point. I have had the opportunity to do, see, and experience so many amazing things in my short 33 years. I have gotten everything I really have ever wanted out of life, namely to do something I love, have some great adventures, get married and raise a family.

The most amazing part, however, is that I have been so blessed to have found a faith that defines who I am as a person. Everything I have been, am, and will become in this life has been gifted to me by God. This brought me to the realization that, no matter what happens, I can be abundantly and endlessly thankful for my life.

Although we are enduring difficult and uncertain times in our world, we are entering one of the most celebrated weeks in the Catholic Church – we are in the final days before we mourn the death and celebrate the rise of Christ. These most holy of days are a time for us to remember what an incredible blessing our lives are – how we should love and appreciate what we have, what we have been given, and those we love and love us. The Lord has promised good to us and will make good on his promise – this we can be especially reminded of in this season in the church and the season we find ourselves in now, spring.
As Martin Luther one said:
“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

It is no coincidence that Easter falls during the season of spring. Just as new life is appearing in the natural world around us, this time in our faith is bringing new life into our spirits. This is, and should be, a great time of celebration for the abundance of life around us.

We all have so much to be thankful for. These times can and will be what we make of them. If we choose to sit indoors, in the dark, and focus on the negative aspects of our present circumstances, we can. But living in that joyless, fearful state is our own choosing. If, however, we choose to let these next weeks be our renewal, we may find that, even though we are facing a crisis unlike most of us have seen in our lifetime, we can come out the other side of this stronger, happier, and holier. I have made my choice. What do you choose?

Tom Gattuso
Program Director

The dogs are barking again. It’s what they do even when their people are quarantined. Nothing has changed for them. Maybe they have noticed we are home more often, but they seem unconcerned about the state of things.  Other dogs are out walking with their people and we feel the side glance of hope as our dogs would like to get a turn walking. Thankfully they have a big yard as their people are inconsistent walkers at best. That is something that hasn’t changed. What has changed of course for all of us is how we are existing in an uncertain time.

At CYO Camp we have shifted to working from home and if on camp property we work in physical solitude connecting via our electronic devices. We are happy to do so to help keep the virus away. We are happy to help protect ourselves and others. Another change we have noticed is that folks are turning to and tuning more and more into what is happening online. You may have noticed that as well; camps and outdoor places are staying connected with electronic offerings such as web cams and online opportunities. Count us in on that!

We can’t play at camp in person, but we can enjoy a small bit of camp via the internet. Look for opportunities from us every day or so with links to nature/craft activities, videos, web cam offerings, and more.

To get us started here is an easy activity to get us outside. The sun is shining, and you don’t need much space for this one; all ages can participate: You could even close your eyes and pretend you are at camp!

Grab some paper and a pencil, pen, marker or crayon. Find a spot to sit outside… maybe your front or back yard, your porch. If sitting outside isn’t an option sit by a window. Once you get comfy just take a deed breath... look, listen, smell…

After about 10 minutes, jot down a few notes or drawings in response to the following…

• When I am in nature, I feel…
  
• I see…
  
• I hear…
  
• Something that I noticed was…
  
• I am discovering.
  

Second option...try this at night!

Once you are done, we hope you will share via camp’s Instagram or Facebook. Bonus fun points if you get someone to take a picture of you while do this and then post it for us to see.

Until next time…

Peace,
Angi Sullivan
Camp Co-director

Choosing a summer camp experience for a child is a big deal…. a really big deal. Camps provide some important lessons for children such as faith, fun, skill development, friends, independence and positive role models; parents want to make sure they are choosing a camp that will make it all happen for their child. It is important to know everything from how staff are hired to how a child will be kept both emotionally and physically safe. And so much more!

As a camp director and parent of five almost all grown up kiddos, I know the importance of feeling confident in choosing a summer camp. I know both sides well. My kids had camp experiences at CYO Camp and various other camps as they were growing up. I always did my homework when discerning camps for my kids and I am grateful for those who check out CYO Camp.  

It can be hard to know where to start or to know the questions to ask. I advise families to make a list of the areas they are most worried about to help formulate questions. For example, if a child has a food allergy or other need, a parent will want to make sure the camp can support that child's needs. Camps should have well thought out answers for parents' concerns and if a parent doesn’t like an answer then maybe looking at a different camp is the answer. No matter how great a camp’s reviews are families will want to make sure the camp is the right camp for their child.  

The following are ways families can check out CYO Camp:

1. Visit our website. Parents will learn the essence of CYO Camp in just a quick check of the site. Our mission, core values, standards, programs and more can be accessed. www.campranchoframasa.org.
2. Visit camp. Our official Open House is Saturday, May 9, from 11am-3pm. Families can take a tour of camp, meet some of the staff, and meet my husband, Kevin, and me. We co-direct camp and welcome this opportunity to chat with families and answer questions. For those who cannot make it to this day, please give us a call so we can schedule a visit.
   
3. Talk to friends who have attended in the past. Truly, those who have already attended can give tons of information about the experience---everything from the food to the cabins to the staff.
4. Call or email us! We love talking about camp like it's our job! Oh, wait it is our job. Seriously, though we are happy to spend some quality phone time and/or respond to an email to help families feel good about choosing CYO Camp. The camp number is 888-988-2839. Emails: angi@campranchoframasa.org, kevin@campranchoframasa.org and regsitrar@campranchoframasa.org
   

CYO Camp has so much to offer children and choosing CYO camp over another camp or another opportunity should be one each family feels good about. Of course, I think CYO Camp is the best camp (yes, I am biased), but each family gets to decide that for themselves. I hope the information above supports families in choosing a camp and yes, in maybe choosing CYO Camp for their child for an experience this summer.
 
Angi K Sullivan
Camp Co-Director