Why an Orthodox Summer Camp?

(Several years ago, the founder of MDSC, Fr. Nick Harbatis, was asked why he started our summer camp, and he shared this explanation.)

I was recently asked what it was that prompted me to initiate a Church summer camp program for our young people. To adequately respond to the query, I had to return to the late 1940’s and early 50’s which was an exciting period for the younger generation of Greek Orthodox immigrant parentage. It was also an era of new challenges both for the Church and for our young people as they were being assimilated into the American way of life as opposed to that of their traditional upbringing at home.

As a young seminarian, I was deeply impressed by the Exodus story in the Old Testament. I was somewhat in a quandary as to why it took the Hebrews 40 years to traverse the distance from Egypt to the Promised Land. After further study, I realized the challenge facing Moses at that time. The old timers were passing away and he had the heavy burden of teaching [the younger generation] God’s commandments and preparing them for the challenges lying ahead.

As a newly ordained priest from the younger generation itself, I came to the conclusion that something similar to Moses’ dilemma was facing us as a Church and that a summer camp program would greatly contribute to an understanding of Orthodoxy as a faith and the responsibilities our young people would have to face in the future. As plans proceeded, it became apparent that such items as exploring the Faith, practices, and rituals of Orthodoxy, developing a prayer life, and learning to accept and share their future responsibilities as Church members and adults were of prime importance.

The program initiated began with the premise that, despite regular Sunday School attendance, many areas of Faith, morality, and religious practices had to be explored in a relaxed atmosphere with opportunities to openly discuss and debate the various aspects of Christian living. Daily prayer was introduced concluding with a sermonette after evening prayers. An hour each day was set aside for religious instruction and discussion, and the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the close of the week preceded with the Sacrament of Confession the evening before.

An effort was made to also cultivate a sense of Church family and personal responsibility. Each camper was daily assigned a particular chore such as assisting in the kitchen ,washing dishes, table hopping, cleaning the lodge, bathrooms, cabins, and cleaning the grounds. By sharing these responsibilities, it was hoped each camper would come to the realization that any project, be it the Church or home, requires sharing and carrying out one’s responsibilities.

It was also felt that a full, vigorous, and healthy life requires exercise and physical exertion. Daily swimming, canoeing, sports activities, hiking, roller skating, and horse-back riding added to the fun of each day which also underlined the adage, “A healthy mind in a healthy body.” And to spur creativity, an arts and crafts program was introduced and a Friday night of comedy and skits created by both the campers and counselors was presented.

These are some of the reasons that the camp program was initiated and continues to this day. Many former campers meet and write to each other on occasion and fondly reminisce about the days they enjoyed at camp and how much they benefited from the camping program. There is no doubt that the experiences itself has left an indelible mark on their lives and has fostered a religious, family, cultural, and social identity never to be forgotten.

Father Nick Harbatis
1926-2016