First-Ever Sports-Themed Week Inspires Campers with Faith, Fellowship, and Fun
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.”
— 1 Corinthians 9:25
“An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
— 2 Timothy 2:5
This summer marked an exciting first for St. Andrew’s Camp: a full week entirely dedicated to sports! Campers from across the diocese came together to participate in a wide variety of athletic activities—strengthening not only their bodies but also their faith.
We were blessed with beautiful weather and good health all week, allowing campers and staff to grow, learn, and play without interruption. Each day began and ended in the chapel with services such as Matins and Vespers, Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, and an Akathist to the recently glorified St. Olga Matushka of Alaska.
In between services, campers dove into sports electives ranging from archery and kayaking to team games on the athletic field. Camp-wide favorites included wiffle ball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, kickball, Australian football, and a spirited game of Capture the Flag—complete with water balloons and water guns!
On Tuesday evening, ten campers launched a fishing trip in the camp’s rowboats. Although no fish were caught, the joy of being on the water and bonding with friends made it a success. That night, campers set up tents, shared stories around the fire, and enjoyed s’mores under the stars.
A special feature of the week was the display of posters in the camp dining hall highlighting Orthodox Christian professional athletes from around the world. These role models—including tennis star Novak Djokovic, Olympic gymnast Nadia Comăneci, NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo, NHL legend Jaromir Jagr, and NFL great Troy Polamalu—helped campers see that faith and excellence in sports can go hand in hand.
Wednesday’s field trip was another highlight, featuring miniature golf, an adventure maze, and a treasure dig. The group returned to camp just in time for Great Vespers with Archbishop Michael.
Religious education was a cornerstone of the week, with daily sessions led by Archbishop Michael, Fr. Paul Federoff, Fr. Joel Brady, and Fr. Vasil Dubee. Campers created icons of the Theophany, learned about the Sacraments, and even transformed the camp chapel into a symbolic vineyard with wild grapevines.
It was an unforgettable week at St. Andrew’s Camp, filled with laughter, learning, prayer, and play. Campers made new friends, tried new activities, and grew closer to Christ—both on and off the field.
Glory to God for all things!
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