Detroit — At its most intense level, the CYO Girls Camp offers an adventure in outdoor living skills combined with “chapel” sessions that emphasize how to apply their faith in the girls’ everyday lives.
Girls, aged 14-17, in the camp’s Pioneer Camp program sleep in tents, cook all their own meals over a campfire, and go on a four-day canoeing adventure, as well as taking part in arts and crafts activities, during their 10-day camping experience.
For Sarah Brown, 17, this is her second year as a “pio camper,” as those in the Pioneer camp program are called, after having previously attended the CYO Girls Camp one year as a “Sandpiper” and four years as a “Woodie.”
“It’s definitely more challenging,” says Brown, a member of St. James Parish in Novi. The Northville High School graduate will attend Western Michigan University this fall.
“I like that you make your own food, and the canoe trip’s a lot of fun — it’s hard work and stressful, but a lot of fun,” Brown continues.
But she also likes that the camp gives her an opportunity “to learn a lot about Jesus, and how to relate it to your everyday life.”
And, having reached the upper age limit this year, Brown says she nevertheless hopes to come back next summer. “I hope to work here or volunteer,” she says.
For “pio campers,” their camp experience began at the CYO Girls Camp in Port Sanilac in the Thumb, but this Monday they boarded a bus to head north for their canoe trip. They will paddle their canoes for six miles along the Rifle River to Cole Canoe Base near West Branch, and also enjoy going “tubing” on the river.
Rachael Pietrzak, 15, is on her first full Pioneer camping trip this year, having previously been a Sandpiper and, last year, taken part in a program that was part Sandpiper and part Pioneer.
Pietrzak, a member of St. Barbara Parish in Dearborn and student at Dearborn High School, says she values the greater privileges and responsibilities of the Pioneer program.
“It’s really fun, and you get to do a lot of great stuff together,” she says.
Not only is the canoe trip longer and more challenging than what she experienced before, but there are also swimming, high ropes and mudslide activities, Pietrzak continues.
She also cite the religious education aspect as one of the camp’s major plusses for her, and says she hopes to return next year.
Sam (for Samantha) Gorton, counselor team leader at CYO Girls Camp, was a “pio camper” herself when younger, but now the 21-year-old Michigan State University student is in her fifth year on the camp’s staff.
“It was a great experience for me, and I made relationships with friends who are still my friends six years later,” Gorton says.
“I hope to go right on being a counselor,” she adds.
