With programs rich in tradition, CYO Camp creates an enticing environment. Youth can explore the world around them, take time to reflect, open to spiritual growth, and develop powerful friendships that will last a lifetime.
Summer days are filled with a large variety of activities including swimming, hiking, archery, tie-dye, gaga ball, sports, canoeing, and small group community building called Soul Food. Each day campers attend some activities with their cabin mates while other activities are self-selected to fit their individual interests. Every camper will experience an off-site excursion to either the Sonoma Coast or a local nature reserve.
CYO Camp staff host exciting evening programs such as talent shows, campfires, dances, and sleeping under the stars. Every session has an outdoor chapel celebration, engaging cabin groups to reflect on Scripture, communicate important camp lessons, and participate in inclusive
prayer.
Age appropriate Villages ensure that your child will have the opportunity to create a community with kids their own age, steeped in the Spirit of Love. Lower-age Villages takes a day-long trip to the Sonoma Coast once during the session. Our oldest group, Stepping Stone, takes a field trip to the Russian River. Each Village engages in a mix of physical activities (soccer, basketball, volleyball, hiking, camp games), environmental education (exploratory nature hikes, gardening, nature games such as predator prey), and traditional camp activities (gaga ball/safe dodge ball, archery, swimming, canoeing, and arts and crafts).
The youngest overnight campers at CYO Summer Camp step into an exciting world of adventure, independence, and growth. For many, it’s their first time away from home, and while this can be a big adjustment, they quickly find themselves surrounded by new friends and supportive counselors who create a warm and welcoming environment for all. Days are filled with activities like nature hikes, arts and crafts, swimming, sports, and campfire sing-alongs, all designed to help them build confidence and discover new skills. Summer Camp balances structured activities with free play, giving these young campers the chance to collaborate, problem solve, and learn at their own pace. By the end of their session, they’ve often grown more independent and resilient, taking home not only memories but a sense of accomplishment and pride in their journey.
For the overnight campers ages 12-14, the experience at CYO Summer Camp is a blend of personal growth, outdoor adventure, and deeper social connections. Older campers are ready for more independence and are eager to explore activities like challenge course, team-building initiatives, and specialized electives we call Passion Projects. Days are structured to encourage both teamwork and personal responsibility, helping youth develop leadership skills and a greater sense of self. Campers this age often thrive on opportunities for friendly competition, creative expression, and meaningful discussions that allow them to connect with peers from throughout the Bay Area who may share their interests. Counselors guide campers through the fun and challenges, providing support while encouraging campers to take healthy risks and think critically. By the end of the session, campers leave with a stronger sense of identity, a broadened perspective of the world around them, and a collection of lifelong friendships and memories.
For the oldest overnight campers, ages 15-17, CYO Summer Camp offers an empowering experience that blends adventure with opportunities for leadership and self-reflection. Teens reconnect with themselves as they unplug from modern technology and take a break from the fast pace of their everyday lives. The last “step” before taking on a more identified leadership role at camp, Stepping Stone campers celebrate diversity while discovering their true selves, their connection to all living things, and their ability to delve deeper into the spiritual realm. Evening sessions, known as Shared Space, is an opportunity for them to share on meaningful topics such as personal values, goal setting, and future aspirations. This time allows campers to explore their identities and deepen connections with both peers and camp mentors. Counselors encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new challenges, fostering a spirit of resilience and self-awareness. By the time they leave camp, these teens have not only enjoyed memorable experiences but have also grown in maturity, leaving with a renewed sense of direction and a lifetime bond with their camp community.
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