Summer camp mixes life lessons, fun in Santa Ana Mountains

Editor’s Note: This story is part of a summertime series featuring youth camps in Orange County.

In the tranquil foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, campers spent the week playing games, making friends and strengthening their faith at the Quo Vadis Catholic Boys Camp.

“While I have Breath, I have Hope” is the theme of this year’s camp, which has been offered annually since 2000 for boys ages 8 to 13. (Quo vadis is Latin for “Where are you going?” and is associated with the story of Saint Peter.)

Some of the camp games are just for fun, while others coincide with a lecture and a life lesson.

After a discussion about an individual’s spiritual battle between good and evil, campers then used cardboard and tape to make armor, and pool noodles for swords.

Divided into teams, a battle ensued in a game of Capture the Flag, not for outright victory but to highlight the internal battles everyone faces, Camp Senior Director Mark Edward Padilla said.

All week, campers were shuffled from one activity to the next, mixing games, prayers and church services with lectures that coincide with lessons from the Bible.

“It’s a great place to make new friends and get closer to God,” camper Evan Afif, who was attending his fourth session, said.

Padilla said he hopes to instill concepts of chivalry, forgiveness and love in the campers. And, to give them the tools to fight the spiritual battles of life… and these are by and large internal, he said.

The Santiago Retreat Center is on 500 acres in Baker Canyon. It offers programs for private groups and events that are open to the public. Later this month it has summer camps planned for girls, middle schoolers and families and already held a weeklong Vacation Bible Camp.

More information can be found at santiagoretreatcenter.org.

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