Teen Week 2025: Faith, Friendship, and Fun at St. Andrew’s Camp

In the first week of this month, teens from across the Diocese and beyond gathered at St.
Andrew’s Camp for a week filled with faith, fellowship, and unforgettable memories.
The week began with a Moleben for the Beginning of any Good Work, setting the tone for a
prayerful and Christ-centered week. In addition to regular daily services, like Matins and
Daily Vespers, an Akathist to St. Olga of Alaska and the Akathist Glory to God For All Things
were served. Campers also had the blessing of celebrating a beautiful Liturgy for the Feast
of the Transfiguration with His Eminence Archbishop Michael.

Throughout the week, team-building games, in addition to being fun and often bringing on
the laughs, helped campers strengthen old friendships and form new ones. Creative projects
like making “God Boxes” encouraged reflection and expression of faith, while the popular
tie-dye afternoon left everyone with colorful reminders of camp. Later in the week, campers
turned their attention outward, creating heartfelt cards for nursing home residents and
shut-in clergy as part of their service project.

There was no shortage of activity during the week! From games and sports and an all-out
water war to themed challenges like “Chopped,” there was something for everyone. A
special highlight was the day trip to Seabreeze Amusement Park, complete with lots of rides,
games, snacks, and laughter. And no camp week would be complete without a campfire and
s’mores!

Alongside all the fun, Teen Week offered campers the chance to deepen their understanding
of the faith. Daily Religious Education sessions were as fun and engaging as they were
educational. Classes even included a live board game to help players learn more about the
parts of the Liturgy and how it applies to our lives, and an amazing Orthodox Jeopardy
complete with buzzer buttons and sound effects. Also, an evening Q&A with Archbishop
Michael, gave teens the chance to ask big questions and explore what it means to live as
Orthodox Christians today.

The last night of camp ended with a lively “Groovy”-themed dance that had everyone
boogying with their best retro moves. The evening closed with the beloved camp-favorite
song, ‘Country Roads,’ as everyone joined arm-in-arm in a great circle, singing and swaying
together. In that moment, the spirit of camaraderie and the genuine care for one another
was unmistakable, perfectly capturing the essence of the entire week.

Teen Week 2025 was more than just a week at camp—it was a time to grow closer to Christ,
strengthen bonds of friendship, and discover the joy of living our faith together. We can’t
wait to welcome everyone back next summer for another unforgettable week at St.
Andrew’s Camp!