Summer Camps 2024 across the Vicariate

September 9, 2024

During the summer break, when the school and catechism year is over, but parents may still be working or cannot afford to travel and the heat is striking outdoors, parishes of the vicariate are organizing 7 to 30-days Summer camps for children and teenagers, keeping them active : spiritually with prayer, songs, teachings, Bible study, games about faith and mass involving them also in the liturgy; physically with sports and outings; creatively with arts & crafts, games and talent contest; and socially allowing them to meet their friends and make new ones.

Christine, a camper from Ruwi-Muscat shared : “Summer Camp was truly a wonderful experience. I enjoyed all the fun filled games, the outings and especially the faith formation sessions which helped me grow closer to Jesus”. Fr. Stephen, OFM Cap., parish priest of Ruwi-Muscat parish saw how the children “longed to come to church every day to spend time with one another in the presence of the Lord”.

The Summer camp is a grace not only for the children, but also for the parents knowing that their children are enjoying memorable moments and spiritual growth, as a mother from Ras Al Khaimah told us : “It is a blessing to have this opportunity for our children to learn and grow in Jesus and the church. My kids really enjoyed.”

The volunteers too expressed how much they received, much more than what they gave. For Ansgar from Ruwi-Muscat, “it has been a very rewarding experience. Despite it being very hectic at times, the joy of making the children happy and at the same time teaching them valuable life lessons never ceases to provide a feeling of satisfaction”. A volunteer from Ras Al Khaimah even took a leave from work in order to live this experience, sure to be gaining and shared: “Yes, their love, smile, mischief, bonding and cheerful heart taught me a lot.”
Most of the volunteers are teenagers and young adults who have been campers themselves in the past, like Caroline from Ruwi parish, who has grown from being a camper since the age of 7 to a volunteer and now the Assistant Coordinator : “I can say that it is a lifechanging experience that draws us closer to God through fun and friendships we wouldn't find anywhere else. Grateful that our Parish gives us the opportunity to conduct, participate and fully enjoy such an event!”. Several parish priests expressed their gratitude to them as they are really an asset for the organizing committee, contributing for the improvement of the summer camp program, and helping to meet the expectations of the campers of today.

The graces of the Summer camp are also for the whole parish kept alive during a time when many are out of the country, and leaving an experience of great communion between all the language and rites communities and all generations. Fr. Chito, OFM Cap., parish priest of Abu Dhabi parish, said his “joy to see children of different nationalities enjoying the friendship they established during the camp. The realization of migrant and synodal church are visible to the life of children walking together, learning from each other, appreciating and accepting their differences, united in one faith building a culture of harmonious living.”

Around 2000 children have been enjoying the Summer Camp 2024 across the vicariate, thanks to the dedication of our priests, some guest priests and hundreds of volunteers. The bishop as well, Msgr. Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., visited the children of several parishes’ Summer camps. According to Fr. Edwin, a guest priest who served as Spiritual Director of the camp in Ruwi-Muscat,“the grand finale was graced by Bp Paolo Martinelli, adding a special significance to the closing event. The summer camp was a memorable experience for both participants and volunteers. The Parish priest, along with the other priests and associations of the parish, encouraged and contributed to making the summer camp a great success. The camp successfully created an environment where faith and fun seamlessly intertwined, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.”

Having seen the great joy of the children and the dedication of the volunteers, Bp Paolo addressed them a letter of thanks expressing his admiration for their commitment and testimony, and inviting them to look at this mission as an experience of the Word of God, a way to follow Christ, experiencing the joy of giving their life for others. (Read the full letter)

Volunteers answered the Bishop with words of great joy and gratitude : “You, our beloved Bishop, compared our small efforts of volunteering to following Christ and imitating him. We, as volunteers, couldn’t feel more blessed. We can assure you that after your letter, we are all the more energised and excited to initiate and participate in more parish activities, this time with the knowledge that our willing and unconditional participation is an opportunity to say YES to our Lord Jesus.” (Read the full letter)