Seventh and eighth grade boys participate in an outdoor team activity during Quest Camp on June 11, 2025, at Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center in Bowling Green. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC

Now is the time to register your kids for Gasper River!

BY BEN WARRELL, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC

The first American Camp Association annual conference I ever attended was many years ago, back in the early 1990s. I went to a breakout session for program directors, and the speaker asked each of us to write down on a piece of paper all the things we remembered from attending summer camp when we were children.

I had attended Cub Scout camp in Indianapolis for three years and had no problem filling an entire page with memories of camp experiences: canoeing, archery, hiking, pool activities, launching model rockets and I could even remember what we ordered at the canteen! Then, the speaker asked us to write down any concrete memories we had for the remaining summer days. I honestly couldn’t think of one particular memory from the other weeks of summer vacation. I know I played baseball with friends and went to the pool but there wasn’t really one concrete memory – they all just kind of blended together.

Then she said, “That is the power of summer camp.” My first thought, after the shock of realizing what kind of impact camp had on me, was, “Wow, combined with the Sacraments, what kind of lasting impact could a Catholic camp have on other Catholic kids.”

Here at Gasper River, we are finding the answer to that question each and every summer!

As our 19th summer of camp grows closer, we are filled with excitement about what the Holy Spirit will do this summer for the campers and staff at Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp. Each year seems to grow on the past successes and the Holy Spirit never disappoints. Our camper return rate is over 70% (anything considered over 60% is considered the gold standard in the industry for overnight camps). This is the sign of a strong and successful summer camp program. We are so blessed to have such an amazing camp for all to enjoy and grow right here in the Diocese of Owensboro.

Please do not wait to get signed up for camp! One of the most heartbreaking conversations we have every late spring to early summer is a parent calling to see if we can squeeze their child into camp. We try to make as much room and squeeze in as many campers as possible so when we hit the limit, there is literally no room for even one more camper. Talk with your friends and other parents; find out what dates work for you and get signed up today.

The benefits of summer camp are off the charts. Improved self-esteem and self-confidence happen each summer. Learning new skills and becoming more independent are additional benefits. First encounters with Jesus happen each summer as well. It is such a blessing and privilege to see a young person awaken in faith and know deep in their hearts that Jesus is real!  This leads to a deepening of faith, learning new ways to pray and diving deeper in a life-long relationship with the risen Jesus Christ and His Church.

Vocations to priesthood, consecrated life, and marriage are happening through Gasper each summer. Young people living out their faith from all across the country are happening too! Sign your child up for camp and see what the Lord has in store this summer. Your child’s life – and your life – will never be same!

Ben Warrell is the director of Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center in Bowling Green. Learn more at https://www.gasperriverretreatcenter.org.

Originally printed in the March 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.