PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAMP WINGMANN Youth enjoyed tubing this year at Camp Wingmann’s summer camps.

If parent feedback was any indication, then this year’s summer camps at Camp Wingmann were a red-hot success.

Compliments poured into new summer camp director J.J. Joseph and his staff following the six weeklong sessions at the spacious retreat in Avon Park, located about 73 miles southwest of Orlando in north Highlands County. The facility, which is part of the Diocese of Central Florida, hosts many youth and adult events throughout the year, but is especially well-known for its summer camps.

“This summer was incredible,” said Joseph, a former Camp Wingmann camper and counselor who was hired earlier this year as part of a management restructuring. “The kids had a great time and we’ve had parents call, e-mail, and write reviews on our social media raving on about how much fun their child had while at camp, how they grew spiritually, and made new friends which is exactly our goal.”

Joseph, a 2005 Sebring High graduate who has experience with many churches throughout Florida, said a whopping 300 youth turned out for the six camps this year: Camp St. Mark, open to senior high school age campers entering grades nine through 12, June 10-15; Camp St. Barnabas, open to middle schoolers entering grades six through eight, June 17-22; Camp Trinity, open to elementary school age campers in grades three through five, June 24-29; Camp St. Peter, senior high school, July 8-13; Camp St. Francis, middle school, July 15-20; and Camp St. Mary, elementary school, July 22-27.

“Our high school and middle school camps were the most highly attended, but our elementary school sessions grew this year from previous summers,” Joseph said.

Campers did a little bit of everything in camp. Youth learned how to grow spiritually and help one another, participated in a variety of games and activities, and made plenty of new friends along the way.

For the first time in years, campers were able to go tubing on Trout Lake following the donation of a 17-foot Malibu ski boat to the retreat, according to Father Bill Yates, Camp Wingmann interim director. “The kids had a great time, and many said that tubing was their favorite activity of the week,” Joseph said.

Helping those campers were a small group of rectors and spiritual leaders. Among the priests who assisted were the Rev. Brian “BG” Garrison, the Rev. Tom Seitz, Canon Tim Nunez, Father Christ Brathwaite, Father Jim Sorvillo, the Rev. Becky Toalster, the Rev. Phyllis Bartle, and the Rev. Alison Harrity.

Phil Nunez, who is the son of Tim Nunez, along with KC Crawley, Lindsey Sweeting, and Yates served as program leaders.

All stayed busy during camp. Joseph said each day began with breakfast, morning prayer, and a first activity (alternating daily among archery, kayaking, ropes, tubing, Gaga ball, sports, etc.). Youth then participated in an all-camp swim before breaking for lunch and rest time.

Campers then resumed their day with a program: “A fun, engaging, and age-appropriate program focused on our summer theme, ‘Love United,’” Joseph said.

Youth then participated in canteen and “Super Awesomeness Fun Time” (SAFT), which was an opportunity for the kids to learn or better a skill such as creative writing, dance, drama, guitar, arts and crafts, sports, etc., Joseph said.

Campers then enjoyed cabin time before having dinner. After dining, youth participated in an all-camp activity including line dancing, talent show, camp-wide ‘Capture the Flag’ game, Olympics, etc. Campers then enjoyed compline before hitting the showers and participating in devotions before lights out.

This year’s Camp Wingmann summer sessions were special in that they teamed Yates, who helped revive the camp in 1998 before leaving about 3 ½ years ago, with Joseph, who was one of the camp’s top counselors more than a decade ago.

Joseph has an associate’s degree from Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne and a two-year certificate in youth ministry from YMI (Youth Ministry Institute). A vibrant, charismatic leader, he currently is working toward his bachelor’s degree in youth ministry through Southwestern College’s online program.

Through the years, hundreds of youth from around the Diocese of Central Florida and beyond have participated in the annual camps. The camps are so popular that many former campers return and serve as counselors once they have graduated high school and turned 18.

“We have had good turnouts for years,” Yates said. “They love the whole experience. It’s a lot of fun and games. But we also do some serious things. We spend time at the chapel. They (the campers) ask questions about God that maybe they wouldn’t be comfortable asking a parent.”