Youth Camp

The Youth Camp is a venue where the youth can form lasting friendships with one another, as well as share ideas and experience in a fun and wholesome environment, where Christian values are openly talked about and actively practiced.

In the Youth Camp, participants will hear about God’s great love proclaimed by other youth like them. They will be exposed to other youth who will serve them as speakers, sharers, facilitators, game coordinators, etc. Seeing other young people like themselves speaking of God’s great love, taking on leadership roles and serving others will eventually encourage them to do the same.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

The fee of $60 per participant will be collected to cover meals, lodging, t-shirt, and materials to be used at the event.

• There are three options for paying the participant’s fee:
• Cash.  Payments in cash will only be accepted at the venue on the first day of youth camp.
• Check. Payments by check must be made payable to “Missionary Families of Christ New Jersey” and may either be paid at the venue on the first day of youth camp.
• Zelle. Recipient account ID: mfcnj.finance@gmail.com
  Please make sure to add the following text in the memo/message section before sending the payment:  “YCAMP for {participant first and last name}“, for example: YCAMP for Jane Doe.  If paying for multiple participants, you may just use the initials of their last names, for example: YCAMP for Jane D, Mike D, Jason F

WHAT to EXPECT at the MFC YOUTH CAMP

• The main facilitators at the camp are young people. The session speakers and activities are led by senior MFC youth leaders.
• There will be eight (8) adult coordinators staying in the camp to provide support, assistance, direction, and protection to the youth. All of them have taken the VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children” program. Their names and contact information will be provided to parents/guardians via e-mail and when the participant checks in at the camp.
• In order to fully participate in the activities of the youth camp, the participants will be asked to surrender their mobile phones or devices, which will then be returned to them after the youth camp. They may also just leave their mobile devices with their parents. If the need arises, they may contact their parents or their parents may contact them through any of the adult coordinators.
• The music ministry will teach them Christian worship songs and lead them in singing.
• They will have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) as well as attending Sunday Mass during the youth camp.
• They will be given a Camp Unchanging t-shirt which they will all wear on the second day.
• They will be sleeping in bunk beds in one of the large common rooms of the Lodge. Participants will share the room only with other participants of the same gender.
• There will be lots of time to make new friends, fellowship, singing, and fun. If the weather is warm enough during breaks, they may play basketball and/or volleyball in the outdoor court.

THINGS to BRING to the YOUTH CAMP

• Bed sheet, Pillows, and Blanket
• Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, bath soap, comb, bath towel, etc.
• Outerwear that is appropriate for the weather.
• Bring reusable water bottles/cups to minimize waste. We will provide water dispensers.
• (Optional) Pajamas for Saturday Night’s Pajama Fellowship

NOTE to PARENTS

• Please drop off your children between 8:30AM and 9:00AM on Saturday, March 16. Make sure that they check in at the registration table.
• During the check-in and registration time, parents may go inside the Lodge to check out the facilities, including the sleeping rooms or speak with the parent coordinators.
• You may leave special medical instructions and/or medications to our designated camp medical coordinator who we will identify prior to the camp.
• Parents and adults who are not part of the service team are not allowed inside the Lodge after 9:30AM of Day 1.
• Please return on Day 2, Sunday, March 17 promptly at 1:00PM for the Parent’s Orientation. We will give you a summary of the events at the camp and more information about MFC Youth. Please follow the directions of adult coordinators as to where we will meet because we can’t be in the meeting hall while the youth are having their final session talk.
• We expect the youth camp to end at around 3:00PM. Just be aware that the final activities may sometimes extend but we will try to end no later than 3:30PM.
• If your child is experiencing a bad cold or having flu symptoms on the day of youth camp, please do not allow them to attend the camp. Just notify us immediately. If our medical coordinator found and determines that your child is too sick to participate, we will call you or the emergency contact person and request that you pick up your child.
• If you have further questions, please feel free to e-mail our MFC Sections Coordinator, Kenn Fernandez at kenn.fernandez@mfcusa.org. If you are a member of MFC, you may also contact your local chapter’s MFC Youth Parent Coordinator.

DIRECTIONS TO KIDDIE KEEP WELL

Directions to Kiddie Keep Well Camp Facilities

1. From Rt.1 South: Follow Route 1 South to the blue and white “Menlo Park Mall” sign. Turn Right, following that sign. Go past the 7-11 to the traffic light. Turn right at light onto Parsonage Rd. Follow Parsonage Rd to the second traffic light labeled Oakwood Avenue. Turn left onto Oakwood Avenue (becomes Roosevelt Dr. at this point). The camp is ½ mile up the road on the left side. The First Camp Driveway is to the main office, the second driveway is to the dining hall and the third driveway is to the log cabin. For example, to get to the log cabin, pass the first two driveways and turn into the third driveway. Parking is available near the tennis courts, and three handicapped spaces are reserved up the hill to the right.
2. From Route 1 North: Follow Route 1 North to the Parsonage Rd exit. Follow the jug handle across Route 1 and through traffic light. Stay on Parsonage Rd to the third traffic light labeled Oakwood Avenue. Turn left onto Oakwood Avenue (becomes Roosevelt Drive at this point). The camp is ½ mile up the road on left side. Follow directions above to Log Cabin.
3. From I-78 Eastbound: Follow I-78 to Exit 29. Take 287 South to Exit 1A. Take Route 1 North and follow directions from #2 (above)
4. From I-78 Westbound: Take I-78 to Garden State Parkway South. Take Exit 131 and bear Right on Route 27. Follow direction from #6.
5. From 287: Take 287: Take 287 to Exit 1 and 1A. Take Route 1 North and follow directions from, #2 (above)
6. From the Garden State Parkway: Take the GSP to Exit 131 and bear Right onto Route 27. At the first light Turn left onto Wood Ave. Turn Right at the next light onto Thornall Drive/Middlesex Turnpike. Turn left at the next light onto Evergreen. This becomes Oakwood Avenue. Follow Oakwood Avenue under bridges, through the next light, and across Parsonage Road. At this point, Oakwood Avenue becomes Roosevelt Drive. Kiddie Keep Well Camp will be on the left about ½ mile past light. Follow directions above to Log Cabin.
7. From The New Jersey Turnpike. Follow NJ Turnpike to Exit 10 Take 287 North – Staying in the right lane to Route 1 North. Follow direction from #2 (above).