Summer Camp 2005

Mark Your Calendars!

Staff Orientation: July 5-9, 2005

Session One: July 10-16

Session Two: July 17-23

Session Three: July 24-30

To fill out an application for your child, see below to download a registration form!

Summer Camp: a place for Catching the Faith

We at St. Nicholas Ranch believe that our Orthodox Christian Faith is “caught, not taught.”  In other words, Christian friendship teaches kids more about their faith than any book or class.  This Christian friendship is an increasingly rare thing in the world and becoming harder to find…. but easy to find at camp!

Therefore, summer camping ministry is critical for the for the life of the Church today and for your child.  Campers will get to do in six camp days what they may not get to do all year: pray with their friends, discuss their faith, create life-long friendships, enjoy God’s natural beauty, experience what it is like to be away from home… all this in a spiritually safe and familiar environment.  Camp is a place for self-discovery.  It is a place to appreciate the gifts that God gives us.  It is a place to experience Christian joy that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Summer Camp: a place for Meaningful Camp Adventure

At “the Ranch” our staff works year-round to create a stimulating, safe, and fun camping environment.  We begin by recruiting and training young adults to serve as Orthodox Christian youth ministers.  We also recruit several priests from around the Metropolis who take time from their parish to serve the camp’s sacramental and educational needs.  We work very hard to make this camp a place of Christian teaching through meaningful camp adventure.  Be part of it!  

Summer Camp: a place for Friends, Fun, and Faith

Come prepared for adventure: swimming, hayrides, archery, canoeing, campfires, cowboy ropin’, and much more!  Camp is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and renew old friendships.   Camp is also a time for young Orthodox Christians to learn about their faith, values, and heritage in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Plus: Horseback Riding!

We are reintroducing horseback riding in 2004!  We will be offering trail rides using seasoned trail horses, and led by a qualified wrangler.

A Typical Summer Camp Day at the Ranch

…begins at 7:00 am with the wake-up bell. Campers, in their cozy dorm rooms, dress for the morning service at the outdoor chapel.  Following the service, a hearty breakfast is served, kids go onto their first activity. Throughout the day the kids follow a rotating schedule filled with activities like arts and crafts, archery, canoeing, horseback riding, nature hikes, Orthodox Life sessions, cowboy roping, athletics, and the ever-popular swimming in our cool pool (where life-guards are on duty)!  At midday: Lunch!  At 5:00 vespers are held, followed by a delicious dinner.  Speaking of food, campers rave every year about the food our chefs lovingly prepare: barbecued chicken, hamburgers, spaghetti, apple pie… and (don’t worry, mom) healthy vegetables.  After dinner begins the evening activity, which includes things like a Hawaiian luau, the obstacle course, or a volleyball or basketball tournament. Every night a campfire is held, where energetic songs are sung, wacky skits are performed, and devotionals bring a peaceful end to a busy day.

Download you registration forms here!

Click here for a 2005 Summer Camp sign-up form in Word

Click here for a 2005 Summer Camp sign-up form in Adobe .pdf