August 13, 2010
Poconos, Pennsylvania: St. Seraphim Camp concludes its 16th year
The 2010 St.
Seraphim’s Camp was a tremendous success. For a week, Orthodox youth
gathered in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania to attend
the largest Orthodox camp in the Diaspora. Nearly 250 people attended,
with six priests and two protodeacons in attendance. Campers came from
America, Canada, and Russia to participate.
On Sunday, July 25,
Liturgy was celebrated, and campers began arriving after lunch. By
evening, everyone had found their tents and gathered in the dining
hall for a talk by Archpriest Seraphim Stephens. Each day was begun
with prayer and religious instruction. The remainder of the day was
filled with tube rafting on the river, arts and crafts, soccer, games,
hikes, and campfires. Each camper made his own t-shirts, tie-dyed
beach towels, lathe work, and perfected glass bead making for hemp
jewelry.
A large group of
volunteers assisted in the camp kitchen and prepared delicious food,
even on the fasting days. No one was left hungry! By day’s end,
everyone was tired and sat around campfires telling stories or just
enjoying the cool mountain air.
Monday morning saw
the arrival of our First Hierarch, Metropolitan Hilarion, along with
Archpriest Andrew Sommer. They joined the campers for lunch and
watched the various activities. That evening, they went to the soccer
field at the river and joined spectators at the camp Olympics. Bishop
George of Mayfield was also able to visit the camp for a short time.
Late Monday evening, the Myrrh-Streaming Icon of St. Anna arrived at
camp and remained with the children the entire week.
On Tuesday evening,
Subdeacon Joseph Kimball treated the adult counselors and staff to a
poolside barbecue at what has become a camp tradition. Wednesday
brought the most popular activity – flag games. Each campsite was
equipped with flags and the boys and girls groups had as their object
the capture of the other’s flag. All was fair at this game.
Especially popular were the ever-present shaving cream battles.
A great blessing
was visited on the camp when a large relic of the Life-Giving Cross
arrived in camp and remained with the children for a few days. All the
campers and staff were able to be blessed with the True Cross of the
Savior.
On Thursday
evening, we gathered for the large campfire, where we feasted on
roasted hot dogs, marshmallows, and all the usual campfire food.
Skits, jokes, and songs followed. The older campers and junior staff
stayed at the fire until late as the younger children went to their
campsites.
The annual soccer
match was a highlight, as well. Each year, the bravado mounts and we
gather for two soccer games. There are some very fine soccer players
in our Russian Church Abroad!
For the Saturday
Vigil and the Sunday Liturgy, all the clergy served the divine
services. Once again, the choir sang beautifully under the direction
of Christopher Johnson, as Archpriests Alexis Duncan and Seraphim
Stephens, Priests David Straut, Brendan Crowley, Stelian Liabotis, and
Gabriel Weller, and Protodeacons Constantine Semyanko and Michael
Soloviev served. Nearly every camper and staff member was able to go
to Holy Communion, which was dispense from three chalices. The camp
director, Fr. Alexis Duncan, gave a sermon urging everyone to preserve
the abundant grace God has given us here in camp throughout the coming
year until we once again are blessed to be together for all too short
a week.
The camp is
currently looking for land to purchase or rent. It will be very
expensive. All staff of the camp are strictly volunteers in order to
keep costs low. Due to that, our resources are also at a minimum. We
are seeking generous donors to assist us in obtaining our own camp for
the children. The camp could also be used for a variety of youth
activities throughout the year. Any donations will be greatly
appreciated. Donors may contact the camp director, Archpriest Alexis
Duncan at (678) 613-2270 or fralexis@bellsouth.net. The camp website
is www.stseraphimcamp.com. There, one can find many photographs and
more information about the camp.
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