CYO Summer Camp crafts impactful experiences that support the main mission of CYO which is to “Cultivate Catholic Character” in all we serve. We seek to connect all who come to us through summer camps, family retreats, group retreats and business or corporate events in friendship, faith, and fellowship.
On life’s journey it’s nice to connect: Camps Connect!
The CYO Camp experience centers around four the guideposts of CYO culture: “Explore, Encounter, Engage, and Encourage.” What does it mean to engage the heart? To explore the Catholic faith and the power of the Holy Spirit? To engage and encourage others, awakening a fire-like passion within each, leaving them focused on pursuing an authentic encountering walk with Jesus Christ?
Chris Werner
Why did the Catholic Youth Organization open a camp? At that time, there were two kinds of camps in SE Michigan, free camps for those children whose parents could not afford to pay anything and lush private camps for those whose parents could pay the top dollar. In between, there was nothing, so CYO created camps for the in-between families, those who could pay a moderate fee to give their children the fun of a camping experience.
Our collaboration of camps are best-suited to meet your needs in a unique outdoor environment along the beautiful shores of Lake Huron in the “thumb” of Michigan.
Your gifts and donations enable us to continue to grow and to serve every child that has a desire to come to camp. We are dedicated to loving and serving our guests as they learn more about walking in a relationship with Jesus Christ!
At CYO, we believe that America’s greatest natural resource is our youth. We inspire and equip youth to love God, serve others, and impact the world around them.
The first CYO Camp for Boys opened on June 29, 1946, when Father Francis Wocjik and his staff of nine seminarians from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit met the first twenty-five campers. The site of this new camp was located on the shores of Lake Huron, three miles north of Port Sanilac.
Why did the Catholic Youth Organization open a camp? At that time, there were two kinds of camps in SE Michigan, free camps for those children whose parents could not afford to pay anything and lush private camps for those whose parents could pay the top dollar. In between, there was nothing, so CYO created camps for the in-between families, those who could pay a moderate fee to give their children the fun of a camping experience.
In 1950, the original location was converted into the CYO Camps for Girls, and the Boys’ Camp settled on its present site, three miles south of Port Sanilac. The only building on the new site was used as an all-purpose facility until permanent dining hall and Administration Buildings were erected. The boys were housed in eight-man tents mounted on wooden platforms. The following season, a semi-permanent chapel was erected, which was later converted into a staff house.
In 1952, an age group system of camping was introduced by CYO. The shift to decentralization was accompanied by a modest “back-to nature” movement with the inception of cook-outs. In subsequent seasons, nine permanent cabins, new staff quarters, a combination Recreation Hall and Craft Shop, beach stairs and a clinic were added to the existing Boy’s facility.
In 1960, a farm, west of the present site, was purchased and a program of “Pioneer Camping” was begun. This new program, designed to meet the needs and interests of the then teenage camper, was designed as an advanced course in outdoor living, cooking and camp craft skills. Camping under “extreme” circumstances has become an established part of the CYO Camping program for young boys and girls.
The 70’s brought many program innovations, including horseback riding, an upgraded campout program, rafting and travel camping. Since then, our camps have added high ropes, climbing walls, a sailing program, and many other activities all designed for campers to “explore, encounter, engage, and encourage”.
The “CYO spirit” was established in those first years. Each year’s staff works hard to maintain this spirit and tradition, furthering CYO’s reputation as “one of the finest Catholic camps in Michigan.” It is this same spirit, first born in the summer of 1946, which holds us together today and makes our efforts possible. Although we may never see the results of our work, there is the satisfaction we feel in working with these kids. This is our reward. This is the spirit of dedication and friendship which must be kept alive and the spirit of faith and hope in God that He will continue to aid us in our efforts.
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