Extreme Faith Camp 2021

Hello All, 

I know this is so long I am sorry...I just want you to be well informed and know why we are doing this!! Maybe grab a cup of coffee and Please read it all!! 

I am so happy and excited that we will be able to offer EFC June 21-25th this summer. It will look different like...different location, Damascus Missionaries helping run it, and the biggest difference is where you and your child are at. We all have been affected in different ways over the past year and I know more than ever I am in need of some great prayer time, socialization with friends, high ropes courses, archery tag, waterfront games, Mass, Adoration, and a week of retreat and renewal!!! Amen!!

1. We are at a new location this summer. We are leaving Camp Courage to head to Trout Lake Camp (click the name to see their website) north of Brainard, MN. Why change? Did you know that there are 7 weeks of EFC and about 40+ different parishes involved every summer. This year all 7 weeks will be able to be at the same camp throughout the summer. We are the second week of camp and are part of something that has been truly changing the lives of middle schoolers and their families for the last 20 years. So it made sense after last summer, where many parishes and weeks didn't happen, to take advantage of being able to offer camp even in Covid times. With current restrictions, Trout Lake Camp has been offering camps since July and has no cases of Covid associated with their camps!! Over 2000 kids have gone through their camp so we are convinced that partnering with them for the summer is the best way to make sure that EFC happens even with restrictions in place. 
Click Here to see their current policies they have been following with great success! (if things change the policies will as well as we get closer to camp)

2. We will be collaborating with Damascus and their Catholic Youth Summer Camp out of Ohio. Why this collaboration? They are hoping to expand their mission and build a camp in our  Archdiocese so that we have our own Catholic Adventure Camp in the boundaries of our Archdiocese that we can utilize and encourage more and more youth all year long to enter more deeply into their faith! Please pray as they move forward in looking for land to purchase to start building an awesome camp for generations to come!! 
They will be sending 15-20 missionaries for all 8 weeks of camp at Trout Lake. They will help lead and run the camp to alleviate some of the burden that the work of these camps puts on us as youth ministers to free us up to spend more time with your kids!! I personally am very excited for this as I have been a main leadership role of our week of EFC since it started and it is so much work! I often feel that I didn't get to spend enough, if any time, with the youth and adult leaders from the parish. So this will help me and the other youth ministers to be more focused and devoted to the real reason we are bringing youth to these camps!! 

3. Where are you at?...I know that every family is at a different place with their comfort and ability to send their kids on a summer camp this year. I do know that God has something for each of us and I know that a week trying to get closer to Him has lifelong benefits/maybe even eternal ones! We never want money or concern to be the reason that youth don't come this summer so we are committed to offering a safe and accessible camp for any child that wants to join us this summer from St. Charles. We know that money could be tight this year and the cost has gone up from $395 to $495. That is why as a parish we are going to pay the first $100 of anyone who wants to join us this summer. On top of that we have parishioners who desire to help kids get to camp. So we have 1/2 and full scholarships for kids who want to go but can't afford it or come up short in their fundraising efforts. We also will be helping youth do personal fundraising via writing letters to family and friends (christmas card list) to help off-set their costs. Please contact me if you are interested in participating in the fundraising opportunities this year. 
 
I truly hope your child can join us this summer for the best week of the summer!!!! If you are ready to claim your child(rens) spot(s) follow these directions below. (Damascus is handling all registration as well to help us have more time to be with you and the kids as we prepare)

Let's do this!!
1. Go to cysc.com/extremefaith and click “Register”
2. Create an account and add participant(s) (after you have added all your kids)
3. Select a person and click “Register”
4. Scroll down the list of available sessions until you see “Extreme Faith Camp Week 2”
5. Proceed through the steps of making a reservation until you come to your cart
6. If you are making additional reservations, you may add them before proceeding.
7. When you come to payment, choose “Add a sponsorship or promotional code” and enter STCHARLESB100 for a free deposit for EFC this summer. (The Parish is covering the first $100 for anyone that comes to camp).
8. Lastly, Select a payment plan and complete your reservation! (if you are going to be doing fundraising you want to select the deferred payment plan. So just pay the deposit at this time (use the code above to have the parish cover the deposit) then final payment will be due closer to camp - minus what you fundraised)


This registration link will go live on Monday early morning. We are doing a first come first serve registration this year so please register sooner than later to ensure that your rising 7-9th grader (so current 6-8th graders) can join us for camp. If you have HS students that want to register for Prayer Team or Extreme Team please have them click on the link below for the application for Prayer Team or Extreme Team. 
Prayer Team Application (For HS students in 9th grade or have never done it)
Extreme Team Application (For HS students who have done prayer team 10-12th grade)