By Kathy-Ann Gobin

MONROE – Dozens of students from across the Diocese of Bridgeport encountered Jesus Christ through spiritual enrichment and joyful camaraderie at Camp Adore at St. Jude Parish.

About 100 campers participated in the fifth year of Camp Adore camp, which this year focused on the theme of the Holy Spirit. Campers came from parishes throughout the diocese, including Stamford, Bethel, Danbury, Ridgefield and Shelton.

“Parents sign their children up for this camp because they want to have faith-filled activities for their child,” said camp organizer Jessica Iannotta.

The five-day camp in June started each morning with Mass, which was followed by Eucharistic adoration and then catechesis, in addition to games, music and other activities.

“The camp helps spark the flame of their faith and to build that flame of desire for a relationship with Jesus,” Iannotta said.

Pastor Father Joseph Gill said he is passionate about the spiritual formation of youth.

“We believe that every Christian, especially young children, can have a living relationship with the Lord Jesus,” Father Gill said. “In adoration, we bring the kids to Jesus and let Him lead them to His Heart!”

Iannotta said the program has grown since its start in 2021 with 30 children and is now at capacity with almost 100.

“It’s so heartwarming to see that they’re gravitating toward a faith-based camp over any other camp, and it’s feeding their little souls. It’s just so rewarding,” said Iannotta.

“The kids learned all about how to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and invite Him into their lives. They learned about the different Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, how to pray and connect to the Holy Spirit in adoration and different ways,” Iannotta added.

Iannotta noted that the camp also offered something special for teen volunteers, too.

“We had a really great thing this year where we had a core group of teen leaders that have helped us with youth group activities throughout the whole year give talks to the kids and then they gave a talk to their peers, the other volunteers, as well. It was amazing,” said Iannotta, noting that Father Gill also gave age-based talks to the teen volunteers as well as including a talk about having a healthy relationship with AI.

The original founder of Camp Adore on Long Island, Heather Kidd visits the camp every year and this year she spoke to the children about how the Holy Spirit has worked in her life, Iannotta said.

Father Gill is also involved with Camp Veritas in upstate New York which was founded by Ryan Young. Young’s sister Heather created a younger version of Camp Veritas on Long Island and called it Camp Adore, and then Iannotta brought Camp Adore to Connecticut.

“It’s really a simple concept of alternating faith and fun,” Iannotta said. “We have little mini catechesis talks. They go to daily Mass, they go to Adoration. We sing praise and worship music, but then we alternate that with fun games and snacks and crafts.” 

Outdoor activities on the lawn near the rectory vary throughout the week, including hula hoops, laser tag, water balloons and bounce houses.

Campers were given a Camp Adore keychain this year with the words “Come Holy Spirit” as a tangible reminder to keep with them throughout the year. Donations help to support the program, and there is a $100 cost per camper.

“It’s not just a parish camp. It’s a camp that draws people in from the whole local area. That’s really amazing too, to see how much it’s grown and spread. This year I actually had to have a wait list, which was so unfortunate to turn people away,” said Iannotta, adding she hopes other parishes in the area will offer similar camps to meet the need.

“This year was particularly amazing to me because we had more teens volunteering than ever,” said Iannotta, noting there were about 70 teen volunteers who helped with activities. “The teens want to come. They want to be fed and they get just as much out of the camp as the kids.”

Deacon David Flynn, who volunteered at the camp this year, said the turnout shows the desire by the young faithful to know Jesus.

“It’s very inspiring for me to see the children in such a sincere expression of faith,” Deacon Flynn said.

Teen volunteer Josh Sideleau, who has been volunteering at the camp since it began, said the campers were eager to bond with each other and grow deeper in love with the Lord.

“I got to help with enriching the campers’ minds by giving them a talk about the Holy Spirit and its importance in our Catholic faith,” Sideleau said. “All the campers were very engaged and enjoyed learning about the Holy Spirit.”

Sideleau, a parishioner at St. Jude Parish, said it was an amazing experience to volunteer at the camp and a blessing to be a part of it.

“Volunteers have come back year after year, and they are the backbone of the program. We definitely couldn’t do it without them,” said Iannotta, adding that the camp is fortunate to also have a kitchen team that prepares and serves food to almost 200 people daily.

“It’s such a special week. It’s a gift to be a part of it and see how the Holy Spirit moves in the lives of these kids,” Iannotta said.

“I just want the kids to be able to have an experience that gives them the opportunity to learn about their faith in a fun environment with their peers so that they have the ability to develop a personal relationship with Jesus by attending Mass and adoration,” Iannotta said.

“Camp Adore helps establish holy habits but in a way that’s fun, so they don’t even realize that they’re developing them. I think that it’s habits that will stay with them,” she added. “My hope is that it stays with them for their whole life.”