Dunlap, CA – From July 5-11 over 50 Orthodox children and youth ranging in ages from 6-17 from Northern and Southern CA gathered for a week of Christ-filled activities at St. Eugene’s Orthodox Youth Camp. The camp takes place at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Ranch Retreat Center each year in Dunlap, CA outside of Fresno.

This year’s camp centered around the theme “What’s Love Got to Do with It? Everything!” Each day was will with activities including swimming, basketball, volleyball, crafts, pysanki making, Christian Education, canoeing as well as daily morning prayers and vespers. All activities reinforced the theme of Christ’s self-emptying love toward us and how it permeates every part of a Christian’s life. This year’s campers built a life size boat replica to reinforce the teaching that the Church is the Ark of Salvation.

His Grace Bishop BENJAMIN spent the first part of the week with the campers holding open and frank question and answer sessions with each age group. Another highlight of the week is always the Divine Liturgy, which the campers are blessed to be able to celebrate at the Monastery of the Life-giving Spring adjacent to the Ranch.

St. Eugene’s Camp, which is well over 30 years old, is one of the OCA’s oldest camping programs. “We are blessed to have the support of so many of the local clergy, who come for at least part of the week to spend time with the kids,” says Fr. Michael Anderson, Camp Director. “We are also blessed to have a wonderful staff, many of whom attend year after year, providing a spiritually healthy, dynamic, creative and safe experience for the campers.”

If you think you would like to participate in or support this wonderful camp, please contact Fr. Michael at 510-333-8814 or email him at email hidden; JavaScript is required.