CYO Camp Rancho Framasa
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Confirmation Day of Reflection

1/18/2021

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Confirmation is truly a once in a lifetime experience that we are invited to receive as members of the Catholic Church.  It is a moment where we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and our souls indelibly marked for Christ.  Many young people prepare for a year or more to make their Confirmation! CYO Camp Rancho Framasa is happy to be a part of that preparation for many young people in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis through our Confirmation Day of Reflection.  This day is a fantastic time for young people to connect to and build their faith in new ways, meet new people, experience the outdoors, and have a ton of fun all in a single day retreat!

Confirmation Day of Reflection offers retreat participants a wonderful experience! We provide a great mix of recreation, spiritual development, and Confirmation focused education.  In the upcoming Confirmation Day of Reflection on Feb. 6, 2021 we are excited to be partnering with the San Damiano Scholars program out of Marian University! One of their students will be joining us to give a talk about Confirmation and her personal Confirmation journey.  We will take a deeper dive into our faith by learning about different ways to pray, reflecting on our own personal relationship with Christ, and understanding the power that Confirmation holds. Retreat participants will also get to experience team and community building activities designed to bring them together in Christian community, and then be able to take those lessons and experiences back to their home parishes. 

Check out what people are saying about our fall Confirmation Day of Reflection!

“They both had a wonderful time at the retreat. They came away with a greater understanding of confirmation and they had fun while learning with their peers.”

“You guys did an amazing job. I would recommend this day of reflection to anyone!”

“Going into this, she was very unsure about what to expect and what she was going to get out of it. She went to camp a little grumpy. She came back a different child. She has been talking about our Faith more and has been much more engaged in learning about Confirmation.”
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This coming Confirmation Day of Reflection on Feb. 6, 2021 is one you will not want to miss!  So, if you or someone you know is preparing for their Confirmation, and would like to attend this awesome retreat experience, sign up for Confirmation Day of Reflection with CYO Camp Rancho Framasa! Registration is open and there are still spots available! Don’t miss this great opportunity!
 
Larissa Hurm
School Year Program Director
CYO Camp Rancho Framasa
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Welcome 2021! Let's Make it a Great Year!

1/4/2021

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​The holidays have passed, and we have rung in a new year. Judging by the posts on my social media, many of us are ecstatic to leave 2020 behind and forge ahead into 2021. Obviously, 2020 was tough year. Perhaps that is an understatement. It certainly took its toll on camp. We missed so much of the typical camp year. I missed working with Program Staff, visiting Ranchfest, and the summer camp kids playing outside my office window the most. 

As I have written before, the year at camp was not without blessings. Fundraisers, volunteers, family days, rentals, and committed staff are just a few. I feel so much gratitude for all who helped camp stay afloat in 2020. We could not have done it without the help of so many. 

And now? We are so excited for 2021!  We are gearing up for events and programs early to late spring and are hopeful to hold summer camp. Yes, maybe summer camp!

Currenlty, we are hiring staff for spring groups and signing up volunteers for a couple of staff workdays.  There is a buzz around as we start this new year centered around the future of camp. We know things will remain under the COVID-19 precautions, but are optimistic and excited to be moving forward. 

As always, we are hopeful that camp will be a part of your year at camp. Look at what we have on the horizon:

• Confirmation Day of Reflection--- (coming soon…February 6, 2021)
• CYO to GO! --- we bring programming to your school or parish 
• Camp Rental--- spend some or all of spring break at camp
• Family Camps (including Mother Daughter): dates TBD
• School Year Programming: Outdoor Education, Retreats, Field Trips, Leadership, and Community Programs ---- we are currently accepting registrations! 

In addition, we are penciling in some summer camp programs and dates. We are thrilled that ALL of this is feels possible. Our goal is to make 2021 a great year… maybe the best one yet! It may look a little different at times (masks, distancing, sanitizing, etc.) but our programs will proudly carry the same values they always have. We continue to be inclusive, Catholic, camper-centered, humble, focused on staff development, and stewards of the earth. Oh, and did I mention we plan to have fun?

So. much. fun,  is in store!

Won’t you join us? 

Good stuff is on its way! 

Peace,
Angi 

Angi Sullivan
CYO Camp Co-director
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Oh Christmas Tree!

12/21/2020

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​          Tiny twinkling lights that shine through hues of red and green, glimmering off gossamer garland that gently flows in and out of branches adorned with glittering ornaments, and shining from the apex a star seeming to call us all home.  Christmas trees seem to bring us so much pleasure and enjoyment during the holiday season.  They fill our homes with a warm glow and decorate our lives with beautiful memories and love.  Isn’t it interesting how our rooms seem to be so full before we place the tree in our midst, and yet when it is removed in a few short weeks the room seems empty?  But where did this tradition begin and what does the tree symbolize?

            The tradition of using an evergreen tree as a Christmas tree is thought to have begun nearly a thousand years ago.  Though at that time the trees would have been suspended upside down from the ceiling (I’m quite thankful that tradition has long since passed…). However, the idea of bringing a tree into your home is thought to have originated with the 16th century German preacher Martin Luther. He is said to have been walking through the woods at night when he observed the stars shining through the tree branches.  This sight reminded him of Christ who left the heavenly stars to come to earth at Christmas. 

            Another Christmas tree tradition stems from St. Boniface of Crediton.  He rescued a young boy from the clutches of his captors, by cutting down a large oak tree to prevent the boy’s ritual sacrifice.  From the roots of the oak tree, there emerged a small fir tree. St. Boniface’s followers then decorated the tree with candles allowing him to preach at night, and further the message of Jesus Christ.

            Our Christmas trees today hold a whole host of symbols of our faith.  The tree’s triangular shape is a symbol of the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Being an evergreen tree, it reminds us both of our new and everlasting life in Christ, and of His eternal love for each of us.  We often top it with a star commemorating the star of Bethlehem which shown above the manger where Christ was born and was followed by the wisemen to lead them on a journey of hope to the King of Kings. Others may top their tree with an angel, which symbolizes the angel that appeared to the shepherds in the fields to announce the birth of Christ. The ornaments used to decorate our trees represent the fruit from the Tree of Life, through the memories and pleasure they evoke we are reminded to ensure that our lives are bearing good fruit in the service of our Lord. Lastly, the lights in which we wrap our tree bring light and warmth, this reminds us that Christ is the light of the world, and He will guide us through the darkness.

            So, as we adorn our homes with these beautiful decorations, let us always keep present in our minds the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ. May His peace and joy be ever present for your family this Christmas and may you have a blessed and Happy New Year.
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Larissa Hurm
School Year Program Director
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The Advent Calendar

12/4/2020

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Advent invites us to slow down, to prepare, to anticipate one of the most holy days in the church calendar. I have known this for years and our family has many traditions to honor this season of love and giving. The advent calendar and activities surrounding them have not been a part of our tradition. Advent calendars were not something I was exposed to in my childhood, so it did not become a part of the traditions we incorporated into our family.

Recently, one of my kiddos wanted an advent calendar of their very own and I took notice. After a quick online search, I discovered that on one site alone there are sixty-two different advent calendars. Sixty-two. Calendars that include the traditional chocolate, but also Lego, wine, hot sauce, make-up, pet food (because your pets definitely need to participate), hot wheels and more.

Clearly, either I am missing out, missing the point, or am seeing a super-sized commercialization of the season.

At the risk of being a scrooge or at the very least a skeptical newbie on the advent calendar scene I must ask, “Why so many?” This question led me to a second online search for the history and true intention behind the advent calendar.

From crosswalk.com:
“While many outside the Christian tradition enjoy their yearly countdown calendar (and its hidden treats), the meaning behind the Advent calendar remains steeped in religious themes. More than just a countdown, marking the days of Advent serves as a time of spiritual reflection and preparation. Advent is a season of waiting, calling to mind the longing and anticipation of God’s people who, for centuries, awaited the coming Messiah.

Counting down the days of Advent can help us consider what it must have been like waiting for the promised Messiah, generation after generation. It gives us an opportunity to lament the reason we needed a savior to come in the first place—our sin—and also to remember God’s past faithfulness to us. On this side of the cross, we know that Israel’s long season of expectation culminated in the birth of Jesus Christ. Likewise, our yearly season of Advent culminates in the celebration of Christmas; but first we walk through a season in which we prepare for the feast.

In addition to commemorating God’s faithfulness in the past, keeping Advent also helps us look ahead with hopeful anticipation. Advent puts us in the habit of watching and waiting, which is a helpful practice because Christians still live in a state of anticipation: We are waiting for Christ’s return. By looking back at His first Advent, we prepare ourselves to live in joyful expectation of His second Advent. By keeping these themes in mind, something as simple as an Advent calendar can help ready our hearts to celebrate the gift of God’s Son.”

The crux is that advent calendars are an intentional way to count down the days until the birth of Jesus and a way to bring awareness to that at least once a day. Okay, the meaning of Christmas is right there. I can get behind that. And the hidden treats are perhaps that external motivation we sometimes need to create accountability. I get it and realize now that there are plentiful options (sixty-two and counting) to choose from because we are all into different things and we can all use a daily treat.

I know just the calendar that would be perfect for me.

Opening a little box everyday with a poem would keep me coming back, back to the calendar and back to this season of preparation for the celebration. A third online search brought me to the one I plan to start using as soon as it arrives. Better late than never. 
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Whether you are a fan of advent calendars or not, I hope you find a daily connection to this season of love and giving from the heart as we prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ.
 
Peace,
Angi Sullivan
CYO Camp Co-director

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CYO to Go!

9/28/2020

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The world is a different place now, this we know. Our daily lives have been changed, some work from home, some have been laid off, and we all wear these wonderful new accessories on our faces. With all the change, it was only natural that we, as a camp, had to change as well. Camp Rancho Framasa is not unique in this, as it is something that has affected the entire camping industry. The number of groups that are visiting camp on-site is only a small fraction of what we would normally be seeing. We needed to find a new way to survive until this craziness has normalized a little.

What has camp done?
That is a great question! The short answer is when the going got tough, we got busy.

The longer answer is…
In looking at how the school year was going to take shape, we needed to get a pulse on our groups and what they would and would not be able to do. We learned the most difficult piece for our schools and groups was transportation. It seemed almost universal that schools were either advised not to take field trips, or their travel requirements were so strict that it made it infeasible to take the trip. We thought, if they cannot come to us, we can go to them.

This was the beginning of our new programming option “CYO to Go.”

For deacades Camp Rancho Framasa has been programming for and hosting school groups onsite. We also have solid experience leading retreats off site. Rethinking how we could do more programming away from camp became our focus. We dove into our curriculum and created a new way of doing things in new settings all while keeping the foundation and integrity of our programming alive.

It was a bit tricky at first but after weeks of discussion, work, dissecting, adding, replacing and creating new topics and lesson plans, we had a functional curriculum that had the ability to bring some of the best parts of camp right to our schools, churches and other various groups .

“CYO to Go” is broken down into the following four parts.
  • Science Education which consists of a few different topics like Animal Adaptations, Geology and Astronomy.
  • Leadership and Community Development which is basically exactly what it says. Specifically, we worked hard to create fun COVID compliant games and activities that still challenged groups to help build leadership and community.
  • Faith Programming which consists of many different activities that help build, teach, and lift up our faith. We also have specific retreats for Confirmation, First Holy Communion, and First Reconciliation.
  • Camp Craft where we can bring all our guests favorite crafts from camp right to them.

"CYO to Go" has been a huge blessing to many of our groups who thought they would not be able to have a camp experience this year! It has been exciting to offer this good news as groups contact us with the news that they will not be able to attend camp this year. I hope and pray that we can continue to bring the joy, exhilaration, and fun that so many find at camp to them at a time when they thought they would not be able to have that experience.

If you are reading this and think this sounds like a great idea for your students, groups, or parish, please do not hesitate to contact me at tom@campranchoframasa.org. We would love to bring all the amazing things camp has to offer directly to you!

 Tom Gattuso
Program Director
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How Camp Life Changed My Life

9/14/2020

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​Ever since the summer right after my second-grade year, I have been going to the summer programs at CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) Camp Rancho Framasa, which I now consider my home away from home. Camp Rancho Framasa will always hold a special place in my heart. CYO Camp is an amazing place, and the experiences I’ve had there have changed my life.

I have been attending family camps with my mom since I was four years old, but in second grade I received the opportunity to officially be a summer camper at a shorter session called Sassafras, which is three days long. I was pretty nervous, as it was my first time being away from home for that long. Despite that, I still had a blast, and I couldn’t wait for the next summer. Each summer meant new experiences, groups, counselors, and overall growing myself closer to God through people and nature. 

The first year of camp that I really felt an encounter with God was my third summer, the summer after my fourth-grade year. My group did a prayer and reflection walk, and at each station, we were given either a prayer or something to reflect on. This experience allowed me to open up and see how God was really working in my life through nature. I remember being told to use all of my senses to recognize each thing in nature, and to remember that each thing is God’s creation and that I should be thankful for it. During this walk was when I really gained my appreciation and love for nature. The biggest thing that I remember was seeing each individual tree and seeing how different each one is. Today I use that memory to remember that we are all God’s creation and He made each one of us unique in His way and we are all perfect in His eyes.

Another encounter that I’ve had with God at camp was during Mother-Daughter Camp. We were given different pictures of Jesus to look at and to study, and from that experience, I was able to see the many forms in which Jesus shows up in our lives. There are two pictures that really stuck out to me. The first one was a picture of Jesus talking to children. This one stuck out to me because it showed that we should always remember to go out and teach the Gospel to everybody. The second one that really stuck out to me was a picture where Jesus was black. This picture really stood out because it showed me that in all reality we really don’t know what Jesus looks like until we see him. This picture really helped me open my eyes and realize that no matter what a person looks like we should always help them because it could be Jesus coming back. This also reminded me of a skit that is done almost every summer. A person is preparing for Jesus to visit, and in the midst of that a person who is hungry comes to them, but the person preparing does not feed them the food that is meant for Jesus. Then a person in need of shelter comes to them, but the person does not let them stay in the place that is meant for Jesus. Finally, Jesus arrives and says those people were actually him in disguise. The moral of that story is that we should always be ready for Jesus’ coming and help those in need.

In 2018, I made the decision to attend Adventure Camp, which included caving, and I was extremely nervous and wanted to back out. Luckily, my wonderful counselors encouraged me to do it. Although I often found myself struggling in the cave, I felt assured that God was with me and He was going to make sure I got out safely. Once we were all in a place where we could sit up straight, we all had our headlamps on, and we said something that we were scared of and turned the lights off. Once all of the lights were out we sat in the dark in silence and thought about one thing we looked forward to and turned our lights back on. After that, I really felt at peace, and I wasn’t scared, but then I remembered I had to get out of the cave. I had some difficulties getting out, but once I was out I saw the sun shining, and because it was so dark the trees had a different shade of green to them that made them look very pretty. I knew that it was God saying everything is okay now. I even have a scar that I can always look at and remember Adventure Camp 2018.

Each year at camp, groups have a bead time right after breakfast where we focus on one virtue throughout the week. This one time we learned about St. John Bosco because he is considered the camp’s patron saint due to his love for children. As a matter of fact, he is now my favorite saint! One of my favorite virtues that we discussed was fortitude, because it taught me that no matter what I am struggling with, there is always something better in life to look forward to. At the end of the week, on Thursday night, we had a bead ceremony in which we talked about what we accomplished during the week that used the virtue we focused on. Each year from the bead time and the bead ceremony, I always learn something new and end up growing more in my faith.
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I know you may be thinking, “Are those the only things you got from going to camp?” The answer to that question is absolutely not! From the past seven years of camp, I have learned so much about myself, and I have gained so many new friendships that I still have today. A lot of counselors, including the co-directors, have often called me a “camp pro” because of how much of the camp history I know, and because of how often I have attended the many programs at Camp Rancho Framasa. I do, in fact, plan on being a camp counselor during my college years, and I have considered working full time at camp.

Another thing that I absolutely love about camp is something very unique there, the Camp Great Amen:
Amen!  H-A-P-P-Y! Yay God! Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. Sing it Over! Amen (Alleluia!) Amen (Praise the Lord!) Amen, Amen, Amen. Woo!

CYO CAMP RANCHO FRAMASA GREAT AMENAs I said in the beginning, Camp Rancho Framasa will always hold a special place in my heart, and this summer was very difficult for me because I was not able to attend for my eighth consecutive summer. This summer I was supposed to be a junior counselor, but because of Covid-19, it was canceled. Even that experience, though, was not without value. From this, I have learned to appreciate all of my previous summers because I never know which one will be my last.

Attending summer camp for so many years has taught me to love and appreciate the many things in nature, and life in general, that God has given us. I am very grateful for CYO Camp Rancho Framasa and the many things it has taught me; I would highly recommend that you, too, find a local summer camp that helps you enrich your own faith!

Brianna Bentley
Camper 
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Destress from all that Mess

8/31/2020

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​The world is a wild and crazy place that seems to be moving at a breakneck speed. It was not that long ago, if you can believe it,  that we only had a landline phone in our houses, our computers were glorified typewriters with Minesweeper, Solitaire, and the epic upgrade of Spider Solitaire. It was a time when you had to use a map and rely on street signs to get yourself from point A to B, and you had to wait until the evening news to learn the events of the day.  Now, we have combined phones and computers in our pockets, with an unlimited ability to get almost any information at our fingertips. We are more connected socially through digital platforms, and communication is now instant and constant. 

Though there are fantastic benefits from today's modern age, there are also some negatives that come with it. For instance, we see increased stress, and social pressure from people we know, and those we have never met who suddenly have knowledge of our private lives via the internet. We see constant access to information, facts and opinions flying at us from all directions, and while it is great to be informed, it can also cause some serious mental strain. 

    However, it is because of all the craziness that I find myself reflecting more and more on how grateful I am for the opportunities I have had in my life. I was blessed to have a great family, to have had the opportunity to work for a couple of wonderful Catholic Schools, and learn from some amazing administrators. Now, I am blessed to have the opportunity to take all that experience and share it here with the camp family.  Camp is such a blessing, because it is truly a reprieve from the high speed world we live in, and a chance to unplug, slow down, and reconnect. 

    I believe that one of the most important things we can do in this fast paced world is to ensure we are handling our underlying stress levels.  I love to follow one of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People created by Steven Covey. Though all the habits he teaches have their own benefits, I love the final habit, Sharpen the Saw.  This habit is all about ensuring that you are constantly developing toward the best version of yourself.  This is also an essential part of camp and is infused into the experiences we seek to provide!

Physically
One way we keep ourselves sharp is through physical aspects. Seeking out ways to care for ourselves through exercise, nutrition, and our physical environment. I love to spend time outdoors and have the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, and see the beauty of the world around me.  It is so important to get out of the house and just be in nature, and away from all of our devices to see the beauty of what we have been gifted with. Not only that, it helps us to slow down and take a break from the stress we are constantly bombarded with. Camp is the perfect place to do this, the quiet setting offers a place of reprieve, and having the ability to hike and explore is an ideal way to focus on physical health!

Socially and Emotionally
Another way to keep ourselves sharp is through social interactions, real live ones, not just the “like” button.  Though we are currently in a time where we need to keep our distance in the social realm, it is still important to maintain those emotional and social interactions. Many of us are spending more time at home, and with our families during this time. Though sometimes it may add a little stress, we must focus on enjoying that extra time to truly get to know and appreciate those that are closest to us.   I love that camp is able to provide this as well. Being in the outdoors and in wide open spaces we are able to safely gather and share our experiences together. We have so many opportunities to connect with family and friends in our beautiful outdoor space to learn, explore, and just enjoy each other’s company.

Mentally
 Staying sharp mentally is extremely important. We should always be learning new skills. Personally I love to be constantly learning or improving something in my life. I am always challenging myself to pick up new skills and develop new interests. I am a music lover and already play several instruments, but have recently picked up the violin. It is truly one of the most challenging instruments I have tried, but I love it because it pushes me to practice, to learn, and to focus.  I always have a new hobby or interest that I am working on. I know that I will likely never perform, or may never even get past a good rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. I just like to learn, I like to experience new things and develop new skills. Camp supports that as well. We love when those who come push themselves to learn new skills and have new experiences with us.  We seek to help others challenge themselves to reach new heights, learn and develop new skills and interests, and generally have a wonderful experience.

Spiritually
The last area is the most important, staying sharp spiritually, or rather not allowing your spiritual life to dull;  this  is essential.  Oftentimes we find ourselves drifting away from our prayer lives, becoming distracted in prayer, or just forgetting to focus on it at all. It is important to maintain that relationship with God, and to find new and compelling ways to connect and keep our prayer lives fresh and engaging for ourselves. I love to spend some quiet time outside and read the Bible, or to take a long walk with myself and my thoughts and prayers. It is refreshing to spend some time with the Lord in the beauty that He created.  Camp offers opportunities for this spiritual renewal as well. A chance to get out there, relax, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves, and our Lord is a beautiful way to stay energized in our faith journeys.

So check out our fall offerings for camp, and come enjoy some needed time away from the hustle and bustle to relax, refocus, and revive yourself with us!

God Bless,

Larissa Hurm
Asst.  Program Director

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The Light

8/17/2020

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In 2012 I left Idaho to accept a position as Program Staff at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa. It seemed to be a perfect fit as I received my degree in Outdoor Education from Idaho State University just a year earlier. During my time in the outdoor and camp industry I have held many positions including Program Staff, Counselor Manager, Program Coordinator and now I am currently the School Year Program Director.

Working in the camping industry I have had the opportunity to learn new skills, to work and live in a beautiful area, and to get to know some really great people. I have fallen in love with so many areas of the job, but one of the most enjoyable pieces is the schedule. I have found that I love a busy and hectic schedule. I truly enjoy the long days, short nights, and busy weeks. It helps keep me motivated and excited.

In December of 2019, there were a few news stories about an outbreak of a new virus overseas. Most of the articles I quickly moved past or tuned out. In March of 2020, as we all know, the virus SARS CoV 2 was here in the country in full force. Almost overnight it seemed restaurants closed, store shelves were emptying, millions were losing their jobs, and many of us were under stay at home orders. The world had completely changed in a matter of months.

At camp, our entire spring season was upended with the news that schools were moving to a distance learning model for the rest of the year, which meant all groups had to cancel. Many of the things that I loved, including the energy of the schedule, were put on hold. The other camp leaders and I hit the brakes and shifted into working from home mode. Our primary task became figuring out how to move forward using zoom, text, and email.

What was that? A light at the end of the tunnel?

In early June, it seemed we would be able to open camp in July with a few sessions of summer camp. We took a deep breath and plunged in. We developed COVID related guidelines, reimagined how camp would look, and created new infrastructure to adhere to health guidelines all while staying optimistic. However, just as quickly as we saw the light, it was switched off again. Out of an abundance of caution, the very tough decision to close for the summer was made.

Personally, I felt defeated. We worked so hard to get everything ready for camp to operate, and then it was over. The worst part was that it was not going to happen for all the kids who were looking forward to coming to camp this summer. The camp experience is one of the most incredible, positive, and uplifting experiences for so many young people. It is not uncommon to hear that a young person finds the confidence to be themselves, finds a new friend, or simply releases some energy from being home all day every day during the summer. This summer was those things were lost for our campers. 

Where is the light? 

This entire experience will go down in world history books. Our children will learn about in school for decades to come. It has been hard, but there is light. Personally, I have gained a new appreciation for those around me. My wife and I got an opportunity to spend a lot of time together with our young daughter. Our campers were likely able to spend time with their families and maybe find strength and new confidence in themselves as a result. Perhaps they were able to spend intentional time outdoors in their backyards, or around their neighborhood or in a park. Also, with the slower days just maybe they improved their relationship with Christ and were able to reinvigorate their prayer lives.

Yes, there is light. It is hard to see some days because we have our eyes closed to what can be as we cling to what was. Maybe all we can do is open our eyes or change our focus to see the light.

Where this will all end?

No one knows. We do know what is right in front of us: our families and friends, the love of Christ, slower days, time outside, and the many other blessings of just being alive.

​Changing our view and noticing the light can uplift us during these tough times. I wish you well. 

Tom Gattuso
School Year Program Director
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Summer Roller Coasting 2020

8/4/2020

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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
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Hosting Summer Camp and COVID-19

7/7/2020

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“If you build it, they will come.” 

​This quote has been resonating in my thoughts for weeks now as we prepared to have campers back on the property. Camp has been shut down since mid-March. Camp staff have been working from home trying to create content that would help us stay connected with you, our extended camp family and plan for camp's future. 

In my house, our “new normal” was as follows: wake up; get our baby, Taylor, up and fed; work for a bit while my wife herds and corrals our daughter; switch roles so my wife can get some work done; have lunch; more corralling and herding; have dinner; take a walk; get Taylor to bed; get ourselves to sleep; and repeat. Oh, I forgot Zoom meetings - plenty of those to go around!

For almost three months, this was our life and likely yours as well. Then, almost overnight, we were back in the office working on a strategy to opne camp for as much of the summer as possible. The decision wasn't one we made lightly. The admin team met for a day and had meanigful in-depth discussion about the possibilities, drawbacks, challenges, and fears. Out of a deep desire to continue our mission, we decided that we were going to put in the hard work necessary to reform our “typical” summer camp. Our work became developing programs and practices to open safely.  We reimagined our summer routine, developed new guidelines for our activity areas, rethought our food service operations, changed our cabin procedures, and so much more. 

Our mission is to get young people (and the young at heart!) into the outdoors and develop their confidence, heart, and spirit. It is out of a desire to carry out this mission that inspired us to build a new kind of summer. These last few months have been unlike any other time in history. Therefore, I believe people are ready to get out of their houses and into the outdoors. They are weary from online school work and zoom meetings and ready to see nature, hear the wind in the trees, and feel refreshed. We, too, are ready to come together as a community and share in the beauty of nature - while remaining a safe distance of course!

We have built it, come check us out!

Tom Gattuso
Program Director

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