Marking a Milestone
Group of volunteers for 2023 Chaldean Youth Camp.
A decade of Chaldean Youth Camp
By Grace Alkatib
Despite having only been recently established, I attended Camp Chaldean several times during my middle school years. Though my memories are foggy now, I can still recall meeting leaders and fellow campers who have remained prominent in my life. Not only was the sense of community something that stuck with me, but I was also able to explore God’s greatness through nature.
Camp typically involves arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and sports, but Chaldean Youth Camp (CYC) offers something unique. Culture is infused into activities each day, allowing campers to learn more about their Chaldean identity. What may seem trivial to some was profoundly meaningful to me. Lots of Chaldean culture can be found at home, but camp allows our youth to experience intimate traditions in a more dynamic setting. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, this experience significantly strengthened my faith and inspired me to go the extra mile in my spiritual journey.
Group of Chaldean Youth Camp campers enjoying the high ropes course at Our Lady of the Fields Camp & Retreat Center.
As Catholics, our faith grows stronger when we take leaps of faith and embrace new experiences. Going to camp would strengthen my own relationship with Christ. Since then, I have been able to take further leaps of faith, such as leading our Chaldean youth groups and eventually returning to CYC as a leader and committee member.
“I was able to see campers come back to camp as volunteers years later, which is truly amazing,” stated previous camp director Val Kesto.
These experiences have profoundly shaped my spiritual journey and deepened my commitment to our faith and community. Now that I have come full circle and am a leader for the camp I once attended, I am able to reflect on the camp’s progress and highlight the significance of celebrating “A Decade of Chaldean Youth Camp.”
Chaldean Youth Camp is a summer tradition that has nurtured our community over the past ten years. Our Lady of the Fields Camp & Retreat Center (OLF), formerly known as “Camp Chaldean,” has a purpose that allows youth to encounter Christ through God’s great outdoors. CYC uses the bible verse Matthew 19:14 to guide their purpose and mission: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Grace Alkatib with a camper in the newly renovated camp dining hall.
The initiation of CYC was established by a group of seminarians and volunteers in 2014, specifically Andrew Seba, Fr. John Jaddou, and Fr. Fadie Gorgies. The infamous “Camp Chaldean” started by hosting campers only two days out of the whole year, running on one schedule and itinerary for all ages. This summer, OLF is hosting a Junior Co-ed Camp, Boys One Day Camp, Girls One Day Camp, Boys Overnight Camp, and a Girls Overnight Camp. In 2024, our camp will be serving over 800 campers for these events alone. CYC initially served campers from grades 3–8 but has since expanded and now caters to campers from grades 1–10. Chaldean Youth Camp brings together children from elementary, middle, and high schools to unite across our entire diocese.
The camp is located on over 200 acres in Brighton, Michigan, which allows campers to experience the joy of Christ through a camping experience. The campgrounds surround 40-acre, Euler Lake, that houses our aqua park, waterfront activities, swimming, and kayaking. On land, the camp has basketball, football, capture the flag, gaga ball, spike ball, and pickleball.
TIMELINE
Below is a timeline of the expansion of OLF, encompassing the creation of CYC:
2007
The Detroit Recreation Camp was purchased by the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle, and the name was changed to “Camp Chaldean.” The land was acquired using donations made through the Shamaya Kassab Fund.
2010
Construction of St. George Shrine, the church that is currently on the campgrounds, began. Aside from the construction, small summer one-day youth camps would take place sporadically on the property. These small camps occurred prior to being recognized officially as Chaldean Youth Camp.
2015
Chaldean Youth Camp became an official Camp Chaldean event. The name Chaldean Youth Camp was picked by volunteers through an Instagram comment section in early 2015. More formal youth camp dates were planned this year, and overnight camps were introduced to the community. CYC also designed their first ever logo, which had yet to be updated until the current 2024 summer.
2018
To reach larger communities, Bishop Francis Y. Kalabat renamed Camp Chaldean as Our Lady of the Fields Camp and Retreat Center (OLF). Along with the renaming, the camp also employed Mr. Michael Hickey to be the first camp executive director. Mr. Michael Hickey was responsible for building a year-round camp and retreat center that could accommodate thousands of visitors annually.
2019
With the help of many, the camp was officially hosting groups beyond the Chaldean Community. OLF opened its doors to anyone wishing to deepen their faith through a camp experience. The famous high- and low-ropes courses at OLF were also constructed. The rope courses enhanced the offerings of the camp, especially amongst teens, Catholic youth, and school groups.
2020
A prominent year for outreach, allowing many Catholic youth groups from the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Lansing to visit OLF. These groups were able to host day and overnight retreats of their own on the camp property.
2021
The camp expanded to hosting Catholic high school sports teams on the property. Chaldean Youth Camp was also setting new records for participation, and its reputation was steadily growing.
2022
OLF was able to host groups throughout the entirety of the year, which marked our busiest year yet. With the increase in campers and dependence on the camp property, a plan for upgrades was put into place this year. Mr. Hickey planned lots of indoor and outdoor renovations this year. OLF also had the privilege of partnering with Damascus (a group from the Columbus, Ohio Diocese). This partnership would allow for roughly 1,200 additional retreatants each summer. In the fall of 2022, the Chaldean Diocese purchased a 54-acre parcel of property across from the shrine on Kellogg Road. This property has not been used yet but will be used for future development and expansion of Our Lady of the Fields Camp and Retreat Center. With this purchase, the new acreage of the camp comes to 218 acres.
2023
The renovations that were planned in 2022 were all completed by the 2023 summer, just in time for CYC. Under the leadership of Bishop Francis Kalabat, OLF launched a $5 million capital campaign, which is still being used to renovate existing facilities, add new facilities, and enhance the camp. Cabins were completely renovated with new siding, flooring, new bunk beds, mattresses, new windows, and upgraded heating and cooling. The dining hall was given a new floor, new tables, an improved industrialized kitchen, and a new walkout deck. The new walkout deck overlooks the lakefront. On the outside of the camp, there is a new 3-sided rock-climbing tower, a vertical playpen, and a dual zip line running parallel to Euler Lake. There was also the addition of a giant swing, the Aqua Park, and renovations to the high ropes course and beachfront.
2024
The camp now has a full staff of its own and is continuing to renovate. Our Lady of the Fields Camp and Retreat Center also offers over 100 of their own camps and retreats, such as a Mother-Daughter Weekend, Family Beach Day Palooza, Venator Et Ducatis, OLF Paradeisos, and many more. In the summer of this year, ECRC held the first ever “The Call” High School Youth Conference on the camp’s property. Our relationship with Damascus is still very fulfilling for the camp. Chaldean Youth Camp dates for the 2024 year are July 13, July 20, July 27, August 5-7, and August 8-10. Each year, the camp hosts an increasing number of retreatants and campers compared to the previous year.
Our Lady of the Fields Camp and Retreat Center was developed over the past 17 years with lots of love and hard work. Chaldean Youth Camp has thrived at this location throughout the last decade. The camp allows us to serve the community in a different atmosphere, adoring the gifts of Christ through his outdoor creations. On behalf of all campers and volunteers, we thank Chaldean Youth Camp for a wonderful decade of faith, fun, and culture!