HOME, AWAY FROM HOME.
TAKAPUNA SUMMER CAMP 2024
Sonshine Ranch, Clevedon // 21-25 January 2024
"WELCOME HOME!!"
"This is what every teenager hears the moment they step onto the grounds at a Life Teen Summer Camp. Though we’ve been saying it for the past two years, we aren’t just saying it. From your dining room table to the altar at your home parish, we understand the importance of teenagers having a sense of home — a place of belonging, peace and safety. Whether you’re raising a family or building a parish community, we know how much effort you put into creating a physical, emotional, and spiritual place that others can call “home.” Our goal is simple: to continue that effort — to extend your home’s reach into a teenager’s summer camp experience. We may not know what a teenager’s life is like when they arrive at camp but no matter their questions, doubts, or struggles they may be working through, they are always welcome. This is their home, away from home."
Teens may arrive at our camps as guests, but they leave as family. Through unique and shared experiences, the campers come to see just how universal our Catholic faith really is … arriving with a specific group but coming together as one Church.
The friendships forged through course challenges, small group time and prayer experiences offer a unique and unforgettable community that will last for years to come. At their summer camp “home,” everyone has a seat at the table; it’s a family meal where souls are also fed. A week at camp reminds every young soul that family means you never walk alone.
ENCOUNTER LOVE
At Life Teen, our camp grounds are holy ground. The Lord dwells here and not just in the tabernacles and chapels. Jesus, Himself, assured us that “… where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). He is in our midst and in countless moments each camp week — both scheduled and spontaneous — nothing could be more true.
Teens feel the Lord’s presence the moment they arrive and through daily mass, worship, Bible study and other spiritually engaging moments, the sacraments and the Catholic faith take fire like never before. Summer camps aren’t just any home, they’re the Father’s house.
THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
At Takapuna Summer Camp, every day is different. You have the chance to choose your fun. Why not play an epic game of touch, tag, ultimate or frisbee? Feel like being creative? We’ve got an Art Barn for you to make crafts, play music, and much more. Our feature activity is to partake in our Messy games! It is the opportunity where throwing slime or shaving cream on a friend or camp leader is allowed.
EXPERIENCE GOD
Takapuna Summer Camp provides countless opportunities to experience God through the Sacraments, including daily Mass, confession. Veneration, and Eucharistic Adoration. Our desire is for every teen to leave camp with a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ.
With engaging worship sessions as well as relatable, funny and challenging talks, teens are empowered to examine their lives and grow in their own faith journeys.
Camp provides the space for everyone, and we mean everyone, to develop a deeper and more meaningful prayer life. With a balance of group reflections, guided prayer activities and silent personal meditations, we create enough space for every teen to dive into a rhythm of prayer that is ready for them to carry over into their daily lives.
A PLACE TO BELONG
At Takapuna Summer Camp, we grow together in faith and unity. However, this extends beyond our campgrounds with our fortnightly youth gatherings (known as Life Nights) back at our home turf of St Joseph's Parish, Takapuna. Friendships formed at camp, continue way beyond the five days spent at Sonshine Ranch - they extend to our local community, our schools, and our own parish.
We know that navigating life alone as a teen can be challenging, coupled with the added pressure of living your Christian faith in a highly secularised society. Our aim at camp, is for campers and leaders to find a home, to find a place to belong, to find a HOME, AWAY FROM HOME.
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