Camp St. Sebastian – Pacific Northwest Deanery Camp
By Anna Harryman
This year was my first year attending the Pacific Northwest Deanery Camp Saint Sebastian, located at All Saints Camp in Gig Harbor, Washington with my son, Andrew. It was his first time attending an overnight camp of any sort, so he didn’t quite know what to expect, but I couldn’t have been more excited for him.
I grew up attending St. Eugene’s Camp in California every year as a child. It was the highlight of my summer. While I loved all of the fun camp had to offer such as the activities, arts and crafts, games, sleeping in cabins with friends, I also loved that it was an Orthodox camp. I keenly remember feeling, even at a young age, a sense of comfort and “normalcy” being surrounded by kids who were Orthodox Christian like me. Even though we were from all over, we had so much fundamentally in common, something truly important… and I really cherished it. I developed life-long friendships with youth from parishes spread all over, drawing us back to camp year after year as counselors. Because of this I was excited for my son to have a positive experience just as I had.
Camp Saint Sebastian gathered from June 25th through 28th in the scenic Gig Harbor area where we got to kayak on still water in the mornings, watch a bald eagle fish during our evening campfire sing-alongs, and search for mini critters amongst the rocks at the beach in the afternoon. Cabins full of bunk beds bordered one side of a big, sloping field where counselors led daily games and activities, and on the other side was the large hall where everyone dined together. During the day the campers enjoyed a variety of arts and crafts outdoors. Andrew’s favorite was drawing on the collaborative posters of Saint George and the Dragon.
It was these traditional camp activities that made camp so much fun for him, but what made these few days so rich was the routine of prayer. Each day the children started their day together in the chapel, bookended each meal singing in prayer, and finished the day once more in the chapel. During the day they crowded around clergy and participated in rich conversation as they learned more about the Church. The week culminated in the celebration of Divine Liturgy.
Our experience at Camp Saint Sebastian did not disappoint. Andrew frequently talks about his time there fondly and speculates about the memories he will make next summer. I am grateful that he now has the ability to create these same meaningful and faith-building relationships and experiences as did I at his age.
