12 Weeks. 3 Experiences. 1 Mission.

Catholic Youth Summer Camp

This summer, nearly 6,000 young people will attend Catholic Youth Summer Camp (CYSC) to be awakened, empowered, and equipped to Live the Adventure of the Catholic faith. We provide a world-class program and an environment of authentic encounter with Jesus.

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CYSC began as a traveling summer camp in 2001, but with the move to Damascus Catholic Mission Campus, things have changed. CYSC served on only one site in Ohio until 2021, but with the invitation to serve more young people in Minnesota, things have changed. And CYSC has known four staffs since 2016, but with the need to serve more campers than ever before, things have changed.

The four staffs that make up the “Classic Experience” of CYSC in Ohio will be joined by three specialized staffs and one staff in Minnesota. The Classic Experience. The Specialized Experience. The Minnesota Experience.

Experiences that you will look back on and say “things have changed.”

1. The Classic Experience

Program Staff
Counseling Staff
Service Staff
Media Staff

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Program Staff member has the task to carry out the mission of CYSC through establishing an environment of encounter through world-class programming. The Program Staff creates a contagiously joyful environment every day, utilizing high adventure activities, skits and dramas, technology, and music to invite campers into an encounter with Jesus. They lead campers through daily prayer labs and prayer ministry to foster relationship with the same Jesus they encounter. Each Program Staff member is trained in evangelization, crowd leadership, and drama/skit ministry.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Counseling Staff member intentionally walks with and deeply invests in a new group of campers each week. They facilitate daily encounters with Jesus as a model, mentor, and guide through intentional conversation, small group facilitation, and daily accompaniment throughout the week. To equip them better in their call at camp and beyond, a CYSC counselor will be trained in pastoral skills, discipleship, and prayer ministry. A daily schedule consists of daily prayer, activity rotations, lake time, our evening programming “Club”, and small group discussions.

(Senior in High School – Young Adult)

A CYSC Service Staff member gives up a summer to create a truly irresistible environment of encounter. They display a servant’s heart by being behind the scenes, building and maintaining a place for Jesus to change hearts. This is a great opportunity for young adults to step into missionary service and hospitality, and it is a great opportunity for incoming seniors to get a taste of mission at CYSC. This will not be a mission for all, but for those called, it will be an incredible time of personal formation, service, and growth. A daily schedule consists of a holy hour, cleaning the facilities, time of intercession, and teaching campers how to pray through prayer lab.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Media Staff member captures what the Lord is doing, and they share it with the world to glorify the Lord in a given moment. They step into the New Evangelization through social media, photography, videography, and graphic design. They spend their day doing everything from capturing camper moments at high adventure activities to sharing with the Church powerful moments of life-changing encounter with Jesus.

2. The Specialized Experience

Kitchen Staff
Worship/Production Staff
Medical Staff

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Kitchen Staff member nourishes and serves. The Kitchen Staff provides quality food for the body in a joyful setting for the soul. With a person-focused approach, they make CYSC feel like home, and with a commitment to intercession, they help create moments of encounter with Jesus for each and every person who grabs a plate. They spend their days cooking, serving, and cleaning in a tight-knit team that becomes more like family.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Worship/Production Staff member creates an atmosphere of worship at CYSC. As humans, we were created to worship the Lord, and the Worship/Production Staff lead everyone at CYSC into that for which they were made. They spend their days leading times of intercession, singing praise to the Lord, and preparing set lists for the night sessions, which serve to bring young people into relationship with Jesus.

(High School Graduate- Young Adult)

A CYSC Medical Staff member attends to the physical needs of those at CYSC. As individuals involved in nursing, nursing studies, pre-medical studies, or medical studies, the Medical Staff at CYSC develop an environment of encounter with Jesus for those who find themselves suffering. They spend their day administering medicines, cleaning out wounds, and caring for others.

3. The Minnesota Experience

Minnesota Staff

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

As part of a small, deployed staff, a CYSC Minnesota Staff member serves in a multitude of capacities. The Minnesota Staff take on the responsibilities of all Ohio staffs, while partnering closely with parish staffs and volunteers. They spend their day doing a little bit of everything, making this an incredibly diverse experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age must I be to apply?

Counseling Staff, Program Staff, and Media Staff applicants must have completed their senior year of high school by June 2021. Service Staff applicants must have completed their junior year of high school by June 2021.

Will I have to fundraise?

In short, yes and no. For most, your missionary work begins before campers arrive. Every member of CYSC’s missionary staff is required to raise $1,500 of missionary support and is afforded the opportunity to raise up to $3,500. This is an opportunity to evangelize others by allowing them to assist you in the mission to which the Lord has called you. Specific, hands-on training will be provided in order to help you attain your goal. Under certain circumstances, some may choose to volunteer over the summer, which does does not require missionary support.

How much can I expect to be paid?

A payment of $1,250, $2,250, or $3,250 respectively, as well as room and board, is provided to all missionaries. (The individuals who elect to volunteer in their time of service are the only exception, and they receive only the room and board component.)

Are there any additional requirements?

If you are, or will be, 18 during your service with CYSC, you must 1) obtain an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI) background check or a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check (if you have not lived in Ohio for the last 5 years (consecutively)) and 2) participate in a Protecting God’s Children (PGC) / Virtus training session.

BCI and FBI background checks will be offered at the beginning of the summer during the Equip Conference (our summer missionary training). There will also be a PGC / Virtus training session offered at this time. We strongly recommend waiting to do a background check and attending a PGC / VIRTUS training session until the Equip Conference.

If you have questions regarding this process, email mission@damascus.net.

What dates should I mark in my calendar?

October 15th – Missionary Applications Open

January 15th – Missionary Applications Close

Interview Dates TBD

February 28th – Missionary Team Announced

March 7th – Decisions Due

March 28th 6-8pm – Mission Support Raising Training

Questions?

Email mission@damascus.net.

Apply Now!

Camp Nurse Applications Are Open!

Catholic Youth Summer Camp is currently taking applications to join our missionary nursing team! Wondering what the life of a camp nurse is like? Check out what director of medical staff, Laura Buzenski, has to say in the video link below, or click the application link to start your application now!

View the CYSC nursing video

Nursing Staff Application