Summer camp is sure to produce good times and long-lasting memories. But shouldn’t campers receive more than that? What about spiritual development and life change?

Fortunately, that’s just what happens at the Diocese of Central Florida’s Camp Wingmann. For years, participants have come away from their camp experiences with the tools they need to have a greater impact in the world around them as well as a deeper relationship with Jesus. From start to finish, each camp fosters a lasting sense of connection with God and with others.

“In religious involvement, youth seek a sense of belonging and positive relationships with peers and adults in a religious community, and also a connection with God and higher powers which provides a sense of meaning and purpose,” researcher Geoffrey L. Ream said in a 2017 study from Cornell University about the role of religion in the development of youth.

Camp Wingmann Director Joshua “J.J.” Joseph works to connect campers with God, with one another and with their camp mentors.

“I firmly believe that I help our youth find themselves by helping them first find Jesus,” he said. “That’s the purpose of Camp Wingmann: For kids to know and grow in Christ!”

As a part of the camp’s relational focus, Joseph also directs adult volunteers helping with the camp experience to ensure they invest time with the youth. He tells them, “The most important gift you can give outside of sharing the love and truth of Jesus is your presence and attention.”

And campers recognize the lasting value of these connections. “At the end of camp, your cabin kind of feels like family because you do mostly everything together,” said Madeline Lafler, current high school student and longtime camper.

“Camp has given me some great leadership skills,” said Francess Louis-Charles, who started attending Camp Wingmann in third grade. “The things I’ve learned have helped me be a better leader in every part of my life: in school, at work and in church.”

As an adult camp counselor, Louis-Charles now gets to pass on those same lessons to the next generation of youth attending this summer’s programs. “Camp gave me a place to rewind and refresh, to get away from all the technology and the news and focus on God,” she said. “It has taught me how to open up more and share my thoughts with others.”

As I write this, I’m also working on getting four of my own kids registered for their first summer camps at Camp Wingmann. I know they will have lots of fun and will build some great memories. But I’m most looking forward to the spiritual growth and development they’ll experience that will continue to shape them for the rest of their lives.

Camp Wingmann Summer Camps 2022 (for more information, visit campwingmann.org).

• Incoming Grades 9-12: Camp St. Mark, June 5-10; Camp St. Peter, June 26-July 1
• Incoming Grades 6-8: Camp St. Barnabas, June 12-17; Camp St. Francis, July 3-8
• Incoming Grades 3-5: Camp St. Mary, June 19-24