Our Lady of Victory Camp is welcoming more campers this summer than it has in over a decade. This July and August, we will welcome nearly 500 young people across five weeks of programming, surpassing even pre-pandemic numbers by a significant margin. Our team of youth counsellors and senior volunteers has grown as well—all within just our fourth summer of operation following our pandemic-era closure.
This summer has already been a season of many blessings. On July 14, Archbishop Stephen Hero celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Victory Camp for the first time as shepherd of the Archdiocese of Edmonton. His presence was a joyful encouragement to our campers, staff, and volunteers, and a visible reminder that this ministry is an important part of the life and mission of our local Church.
We believe there are several reasons for this steady increase in demand for our ministry. First and foremost, we are deeply grateful for the dedication of our staff and volunteers. While campers do not arrive until early July, planning for each summer begins the year before. In the spring, our team visits schools and youth groups throughout the Archdiocese, inviting young people to experience camp. Throughout the year, volunteers and members of our community enthusiastically share the impact of Our Lady of Victory Camp with others.
Getting the word out has been an important part of our growth, but something else is happening as well. We are encountering more young people who are actively seeking a deeper relationship with Christ and an authentic Catholic community. At camp, they encounter both.
Through the sacraments, catechetical talks, prayer, recreation, and lasting friendships, young people are formed as confident witnesses to the Gospel while experiencing the love and support of a vibrant Catholic community. We are also grateful for the many families who continue to entrust their children to our care, making camp a meaningful extension of the faith they nurture at home. In this way, Our Lady of Victory Camp reflects the Archdiocese’s pastoral priorities of Formation for Confident Witness and Service to Families.
This steady increase in campers is a tremendous blessing for our ministry. At the same time, growing demand is placing increasing pressure on our ageing facilities. We are quickly approaching the point where limited sleeping and dining space will prevent us from welcoming more campers. Many parts of our existing infrastructure also require repair, replacement, or improvement.
We rely heavily on the generosity of our annual and monthly donors to meet our operational needs without passing additional costs on to families. As we plan for the future, we will continue to depend on new and existing supporters so that the young people and families of this Archdiocese will always have access to this unique encounter with Christ, community, and creation.
-Cody J.T. Parr is Director of Our Lady of Victory Camp
