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12 Weeks. 2 Experiences. 1 Mission.

Catholic Youth Summer Camp

In the Summer of 2023, nearly 7,500 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.
APPLY NOW!

CYSC began as a traveling summer camp in 2001, but with the move to Damascus Catholic Mission Campus in 2016, a lot has changed. We served on only one site, our Main Campus in Ohio, until 2021, when we received the invitation to expand. Now, in the summer of 2023, we will be offering the CYSC experience at two additional sites: CYSC Northwoods in Wisconsin/Minnesota, and CYSC Great Lakes in Michigan. 

The four staffs that make up the “Classic Experience” of CYSC will be joined by the four staffs that make up the “Specialized Experience”. Keep scrolling to learn more about becoming a CYSC Missionary!

1. The Classic Experience

  • Program Staff
  • Service Staff
  • Counseling Staff
  • Kitchen Staff

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

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

(Senior in High School – Young Adult)

A CYSC Service Staff member dedicates their summer to creating 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 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 accompaniment throughout the week. To equip them better for 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.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Kitchen Staff member nourishes and serves, providing quality food for the body in a joyful setting for the soul. With a person-focused approach, they make CYSC feel like home. Through their 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 with a tight-knit team that becomes more like family.

2. The Specialized Experience

  • Media Staff
  • Medical Staff
  • Worship Staff
  • Production Staff

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Media Staff member captures what the Lord is doing, and shares it with the world to give Him glory. They step into the New Evangelization through social media, photography, videography, and graphic design. They spend their day capturing campers at high adventure activities, sharing with the Church powerful moments of life-changing encounter, and everything in between.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Medical Staff member attends to the physical needs of those at camp. Comprised of individuals involved in the medical field, from students to professionals, this staff creates an environment of encounter for those who find themselves suffering. They spend their day distributing medications, administering first-aid, and caring for our staff and campers.

(High School Graduate- Young Adult)

A CYSC Worship Staff member helps create an environment where campers and staff are able to have life-changing encounters with Jesus through the power of worship. More than just singing songs, a Worship Staff member will learn how to live a lifestyle of worship through servant leadership, teamwork, and doing all things with excellence and authenticity. They spend their day preparing for and running worship for nightly programming, leading a prayer lab, and serving as a lifeguard at the lake.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Production Staff member uses their skill with computers and other technology to create environments of encounter where campers experience the joy and power of the Gospel. They operate the sound board, light design, and other live production for CYSC. They spend their day preparing for and running nightly programming, leading a prayer lab, and serving as a lifeguard at the lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age must I be to apply?

With the exception of Service Staff, all applicants must have completed their senior year of high school by June 2023. Service Staff applicants must have completed their junior year of high school by June 2023.

Will I have to fundraise?

Yes. Your missionary work begins before campers arrive. Each missionary is expected to raise at least $500 in missionary support, to cover the costs associated with formation and training and to bring others onto mission with them.

How much can I expect to be paid?

Every dollar raised over $500, up to $4,000 total ($3,500 over the initial $500), will be paid back to the missionary, less taxes.

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 missionary@damascus.net.

What dates should I mark in my calendar?

October 15th – Missionary Applications Open

January 15th – Missionary Applications Close

Interview Dates (only need to attend one)

  • In-Person
    • December 11, 1-6pm EST (Ohio)
    • December 18, 2-7pm EST (Ohio)
    • January 5, at SEEK in St. Louis (timing TBD)
    • January 22, 1-6pm EST (Ohio)
    • February 5, 1-6pm CST (Minnesota)
    • February 19, 1-6pm EST (Ohio)
  • Web-Based
    • December 11, 2:30-6:30pm, EST
    • January 22, 2:30-6:30pm EST
    • February 5, 2:30-6:30pm EST
    • February 19, 2:30-6:30pm EST

March 1st – Missionary Team Announced

March 8th – Decisions Due

March 26th – Mission Support Raising Training

APPLY NOW!

Questions?

Email mission@damascus.net.

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