January 3, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad:

We are overjoyed to announce some details for Summer Camp Saint Paul 2010! An exciting and dynamic youth ministry program in the Direct Archdiocesan District! Archbishop Demetrios has provided the vision and blessing for the establishment of 3 weeks of Camp St. Paul, the summer youth camp of the Direct Archdiocesan District.  Dates for Camp St. Paul 2010 are Week 1: June 28-July 4, 2010 and Week 2: July 5-11, and Week 3: July 12-18, 2010. All JOY children (grades 3-6) and GOYAns (grades 7-12) are welcome to participate!  

Camp St. Paul is a Christ centered environment where our youth will grow in Christian faith, and make life long friendships.  With your prayers and support, our camp will become an anchor of faith for our young people, as they return each year to be with clergy, staff members, and Orthodox Christian peers.

On Lake Bantam in the Berkshire Hills of Litchfield Connecticut, the children of our district will pray together each day, sing around the campfire, and play on the athletic field.  They will discuss scripture, theology and major social issues in their daily sessions, and they will express their creativity in arts and crafts.  Campers will swim, canoe and waterslide on Lake Bantam, enjoying the blessing and silence of natural surroundings.  They will learn and grow together, making bonds of friendship with Greek Orthodox peers.

Please consider sending your child to this most exciting program in the life of our Church.  His Eminence has appointed me to be the Director of this camp and I need your help in making this a reality for all the youth of the district.  Your parental support is crucial to the success of the camp and the spiritual formation of our youth.  Thank you for joining me in this effort.  For more information or registration material, you are welcome to call me at 967-2838, or email me at frelias@optonline.net  and or Kathy Spizzirri at email address kathysp@optonline.net.

I pray the grace of the Lord be upon you and your family always.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Elias

Camp Director