In a world of wall-to-wall noise and the distractions of social media and cellphones, there isn’t much more restorative, counter-cultural and just plain fun for boys and girls than spending a week in a quiet, natural setting.
Camp Abbey Summer Camp in Covington, which offers one-week, all-girls’ and all-boys’ sleep-over camps run by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, provides that and more. The camp is located at 77002 KC Camp Road.
“Some of the parents say, ‘Oh, my child sometimes plays games on his phone at night,’ and we always tell them, ‘By the time nighttime comes, they’ll be so exhausted from doing all the activities that most of them don’t even miss their phones!’” said Denise Emmons, administrator.
Opportunities for Mass
Time is designated in the schedule for Mass, prayer, eucharistic adoration and reconciliation, which helps campers grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Activities include arts and crafts, archery, swimming, hiking, boating, sports, camping, prayer, Mass, reconciliation and eucharistic adoration.
Camp Abbey is for children who have completed grades 2-8.
Boys’ Camp weeks, which will again be led by Brendan Britt, are May 31-June 6, June 7-13, June 14-20 and June 21-27. There are spots available for each boys’ camp.
Girls’ Camp weeks, directed by Terri Trahan, are June 28-July 4, July 5-11, July 12-18 and July 19-25. The girls’ camps are filled, but Emmons said parents can go to www.campabbey.org to put their name on a waiting list.
The all-inclusive cost is $409 per week. Emmons said all the campers love the availability of boating on the abbey’s lake, and boys especially love the river hike.
Applications are now being accepted for Summer Camp staff. Students completing grades 9-11 may apply to be junior counselors (two-week positions). Graduating high school seniors, college students and older may apply to be senior counselors, extended staff or administrators (one-month positions).
Nurse positions (one-week positions) are also available. All positions are paid, unless service hours are desired. Room/board and off-periods are included. Training, orientation and formation precede the camp sessions.
For more information, go to www.campabbey.org to register or apply. Emmons can be contacted at (985) 327-7240, ext. 100, or by email at campabbey@arch-no.org.