Summer Camp Fun
The July 2023 summer camps of Pathfinder and Trailblazer were a big success. It was the first time since the pandemic for the girls to get together for fun and adventure within a supervised program that included skill-building and sports in a safe, nurturing environment. What a joy to have140 campers in two camps led by 29 counselors and 12staff! Congratulations, campers! See you all next year!
The Return of Camp Trailblazer 2023
In July 4-8, Camp Trailblazer 2023 proved to be a transformative summer experience for young women from various schools coming together for six days of faith, friendship, and fun. With its mission centered on lasting friendships and dedicated guidance, Trailblazer aimed to empower 90 participants to lead, serve, and forge unbreakable bonds.
Campers enthusiastically blended the glamor of this year’s ‘Hollywood’ theme with their aim of personal growth. The nightly campfires echoed with laughter as voices united in camp songs, fostering a sense of togetherness. Cabin cheers became a creative outlet, cultivating teamwork and collaboration among campers and their junior counselors, all while embracing the essence of the camp’s code.
Talent Night shone a spotlight on the God-given gifts within each camper, as they inspired awe and admiration in song and dance. Costume Night allowed campers to embody their aspirations. At an elegant dinner, campers dressed in their finest attire as they practiced etiquette and camaraderie.
The peak of adventure was concluded with the Amazing Race. Teams raced against time, demonstrating unity and determination. This physical challenge mirrored their personal transformations as they evolved from shy to enthusiastic.
Without cell phones, campers reconnected with nature and themselves as they nurtured real-life connections.
The comeback of Camp Trailblazer exemplified the power of faith and friendship to shape young women into leaders. All these trailblazers now carry cherished memories and the unbreakable bonds of friendship, ready to lead and serve in their communities, schools, and homes. Thank you to their energetic counselors! That’s a wrap for Camp Trailblazer 2023!
My Six Years of Summer Camps
I was always known as shy. On my first year at camp, when people would ask for my name, I would respond by pointing to my name tag and a quick nod.
Despite starting out as an introvert, from 2015 to 2019, I came to Camp Trailblazer ready to have fun, deepen my faith, and make long-lasting friendships. It was the highlight of every summer.
I shared a cabin each year with kind, mindful, and funny girls. The ates—counselors and senior campers—welcomed us warmly and formed an environment that allowed us to love camp as they did. I looked up most especially to my counselors who took care of us like we were their younger sisters.
Daily Mass and night prayers were gifts I learned to appreciate through camp. I owe it to Trailblazer for teaching me how to incorporate my faith into the fun of each day even now. The sports and team building activities at camp also instilled perseverance and sportsmanship: “Play to win, Learn to lose.”
Many of the people I met in camp, I am still in contact with—some, I can even call my closest friends to this day.
In 2020, on my sixth year at camp, even with the pandemic, we offered online camp. I became a counselor who listened to the stories of my young campers, seeing that camp was bringing them a refreshing sense of joy through the struggle. I realized that the spirit of camp was still very much alive.
To many, Camp Trailblazer helped us grow, learn, and discover ourselves. In those few days, we gained the confidence to grow into women of strength and compassion with genuine, joyful hearts for service.
Undeniably, attending camp every year since Grade 6 was life-changing. That young Therese who could hardly speak to introduce herself years ago became a leader in the high school student council, in socio-civic and church organizations, and even now, in college.
I am forever grateful for the opportunity at Trailblazer to indeed blaze my own trail and share the flame of joy and service, so that other girls can also find the spark that would lead them to who they are meant to be.
