Camp Christopher is gearing up for its 93rd summer camp season, which begins the week of June 12. Registration is under way for all types of camp programs, including day camp, resident express camp, resident camp voyage, leadership camp and camps for persons with disabilities.
Established in 1924, Camp Christopher is operated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland. Camp Christopher integrates Catholic social teaching into its programs, including the belief that all human life is sacred, acceptance of all into the camp family, valuing diversity, accepting rights and responsibilities and being responsible for God?s creation.
Camp sessions include Mass several times a week, with alternating prayer services and grace before meals. Catholic values are woven into daily camp life.
Camp Christopher is located at 1930 North Hametown Road, on 160 acres in Bath Township. The property is filled with lakes, forests, a cave and a natural bridge, as well as springs, wetlands, geologic formations and grassy fields, providing a home for many types of flora and fauna.
Facilities are rustic, but provide a safe, comfortable shelter. Most cabins do not have indoor plumbing, but modern bathhouses with flush toilets and showers with hot water are located near each group of cabins. There is a large, modern kitchen in St. Francis Dining Hall, where campers eat. There also is a health care lodge with a nursing staff to handle minor medical issue.
Campers can participate in a variety of outdoor experiences including swimming in the lake, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, arts and crafts, archery, rope challenge courses and more.
Last year, a new handicap-accessible cabin opened for use. It is dedicated to St. Edith Stein, also known as Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, the religious name she took after becoming a Discalced Carmelite nun. The new cabin has a spacious dormitory area with bunk beds that can accommodate as many as two dozen campers. There also is a large, handicap-accessible restroom, making it the first cabin to have indoor plumbing.
Patrick Gareau, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, said in the past several years Catholic Charities invested about $1 million at Camp Christopher to upgrade and maintain facilities. The recent Rooted in Faith capital campaign provided funding for some of the camp improvements.
The new cabin will serve as a prototype as older cabins, originally constructed over the decades with help from the Knights of Columbus, are replaced by new structures, Gareau said. New cabins must meet building and safety codes.
Camp Christopher offers sessions for families, disabled campers, older adults and youth. There also are special weekend programs, retreats, leadership camps, summer day or residential camp and environmental programs.
For more information on Camp Christopher, visit ccdocle.org/camp-christopher
