Catholic summer camps help youth meet Jesus serving others struggling under poverty

WINCHESTER, Va. (OSV News) -- Summer is mission trip season -- which usually conjures up images of a few dozen Catholic teenagers and their chaperones practicing the corporal works of mercy in developing nations while simultaneously expanding their cultural horizons.

But what about the poverty and hardship -- the kind that some groups often travel far to alleviate -- right here, in our own country? In our own proverbial diocesan backyard?

Three Catholic summer volunteer experiences -- Arlington (Virginia) Diocese WorkCamp; Baltimore WorkCamp in the Archdiocese of Baltimore; and Catholic Heart Workcamps throughout the U.S. -- give an answer to that question.

During each summer camp, teams of teens -- guided by adult building contractors, site managers, and chaperones -- come alongside people struggling with poverty to make their living spaces and conditions "safer, warmer and dryer," as a shared work camp motto goes.

"Throughout the week, the question is always not what are you doing for the resident; that's kind of obvious," Kevin Bohli -- executive director of the Arlington Diocese WorkCamp (June 22-28) -- told OSV News as machinery buzzed, sawdust flew, and the smell of freshly cut wood filled the air at a home in the Shenandoah Valley just outside of Winchester.

Bohli, who previously served as a contractor for the diocesan WorkCamp, has another question for participants: "'Why did God call you here, and what is it that he's trying to change in you?' I'm constantly asking them that question."

One industrious crew busily replaced a deck destroyed by fire, while another fixed a flood-damaged basement floor.

"We all are on this journey together, and we all want to grow at least one little step closer to God in the process of being here," Bohli added. "So just be open to that."

The experience -- which included worship and prayer, service and song, Eucharistic adoration and confession, as well as fellowship -- was shared by 670 high schoolers and 1,200 volunteers. Their day began with 7 a.m. Mass before dispersing to 120 projects.

"WorkCamp is a great experience," said Nathaniel Salsberry, 16. "It was certainly calling to me -- and this is me calling to them," he said, imagining his listeners, "because we could always use more people."

Homeowner Shaunita was impressed by the teens, and admitted being moved to tears when they arrived to assist. "Just being so willing to give back and help other people," she said, "it's nice to see that in the youth today."

At another work site, a pile of rotten boards in the side yard gave witness to improvements needed at the home of a single mother, where the backdoor deck and steps had become unsafe.

"A lot of our students do mission trips," explained Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, who shepherds the Arlington Diocese's 446,500 Catholics and routinely participates in WorkCamp year after year.

"We are sent forth to go abroad and help," Bishop Burbidge said, noting that is a good thing because the needs are so great. "But don't forget the needs that you see every day, right in your own neighborhood; in your own community. That's what I really like about this being local."

Handed a pair of goggles -- safety first, campers say -- Bishop Burbidge watched cuts made with a table saw.

"We get to help people out and grow in our faith," said Carl Anderson, 16, explaining the attraction of WorkCamp. Anderson -- returning for his third year -- sported a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "Lean In."

"Yeah -- lean into it; that's the motto," Anderson repeated. "Get out of your comfort zone."
The Baltimore WorkCamp (June 23-28) -- managed by parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore -- is, in a way, the apostolic offspring of the Arlington Diocese WorkCamp.

Some 14 years ago, volunteers from the archdiocese attended the Arlington camp. But as the program grew, space for those outside the Virginia diocese became limited. An offer to mentor the Baltimoreans was enthusiastically accepted -- and they brought that expertise home to found Baltimore WorkCamp, open to all parishes in the Maryland archdiocese.

The aims are identical.

"It's obvious that they're going to be transforming people's homes; you can see that change," said Marissa Paoletti, who directs both the camp and evangelization at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Walkersville, Maryland. "But our true goal is to transform hearts for Jesus. It's really a service retreat."

"We put just as much time and effort into the retreat and sacramental and prayer experiences -- and we extend those to our residents that we serve," Paoletti explained.

There were 100 participants this year -- 60 teens and 40 adults -- from a half dozen parishes, reported Paoletti. If a parish isn't participating, solo workers are also welcome. Seminarians and religious sisters and brothers often join in.

In 2024, 13 teams at nearly a dozen sites built a ramp for those with disabilities, fixed decks and fences, helped with decluttering and maintenance, painted and power washed.

Sometimes campers arrive never having used a tool; others have never been away from home.
Paoletti doesn't allow anything to deter the young people, reminding them, "You guys do have gifts to offer -- and even if you think that they're really small and insignificant, they're not. You just need to offer them to the Lord."

Jacob Sepanic, a former Baltimore WorkCamp participant turned contractor, who lived in the city for six years, is stationed in California with the U.S. Air Force, but nonetheless made a cross-country trip to return. He detoured to Wisconsin to visit family before he, his brother and his sister all arrived at WorkCamp.

For Sepanic, the benefits to campers and volunteers are readily evident.

"There's a massive Catholic community out there -- and you just have to get involved," he said. "There's a lot of other people out there that they can be friends with that have the same ideas we do. And also," added Sepanic, "just helping neighbors is very fun."

That's an outlook shared by Catholic Heart Workcamp.

Headquartered in the area around Orlando, Florida, Catholic Heart Workcamp -- founded in 1993 -- operates summer work camps throughout the country during June and July. In 2024, teams descended upon sites in over a dozen states, stretching from Pennsylvania to New Mexico. Camps include daily Mass, a mid-week confession service, and Eucharistic adoration.

Every camp was full this year, said Kelly Naas, who handles public relations.

"They're looking for an opportunity to step into action in our faith," Naas observed, "being the hands and feet of Christ in a real way, and not just hearing about it or talking about it."

Tasks vary at Catholic Heart Workcamps. One program in Richmond, Virginia, made bunk beds for kids who, while housed, were sleeping on floors for lack of a bed.

"We always say that we're not just aiming for a week of their life," Naas explained about the campers. "We want them to be ignited, so that they go home and just let the ripple effects happen -- in their homes, their churches, their schools, throughout wherever they're coming from."

As with the Arlington and Baltimore diocesan summer workcamps, priests and religious often work alongside campers -- and find their own vocations impacted by the experience.

For Sister Katie Flanagan, a work camper-turned work camp staffer-turned Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco, the servanthood skills that these summer experiences offer are key.

"I learned the joy of giving your life in service to others," said Sister Flanagan. "And so when I did start to think about religious life, that was something that I already knew -- it was kind of natural to me."

Father Sam Kachuba, a current Catholic Heart Workcamp chaplain and pastor at St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield, Connecticut, agrees.

"I always hope that our campers will take home a new way of seeing the world that lets them look for ways to serve others," he reflected. "In holy Communion, in adoration, and in confession, our teens have the chance to meet Jesus and receive his love and mercy.

"In service of others," Father Kachuba said, "they have the chance to meet Jesus and offer back to him their love."