July rolled around and brought with it the annual D&G summer camp in Gurteen Agricultural College. For the first time both the senior and junior groups ran during the one week. This was the result of a downturn in camper numbers. This decision was not taken lightly and for me proved a whole new challenge in running the camps. For the first time I worried that I would not know every child’s name or I wouldn’t experience the fullness of camp. I feared I would miss out on the growth of the senior campers and the carefree, innocent nature of the junior campers. But I was wrong. While the two camps running together led to a whole new level of exhausted leaders, it was equally as rewarding, eye opening and inspiring.

The two camps interacted in a way I would never have expected. The senior campers become big brothers and sisters to the younger children, helping them get ready for the disco and comforting them when they were homesick. The junior campers playing with the senior campers, singing and teaching them dance routines for the talent show. The campers became more like a family then ever before.

With the two camps running separately during the activity times, our level of organising had to step up a gear. Many favourite activities from previous years were back again. Messy games ran alongside the water sports, which turned out to be a recipe for disaster with the leaders getting messier and wetter then ever before. 5 bouncing castles and 10 litres of fairy liquid resulted in the biggest “Gladiators” inspired Allstars ever! Gurteen’s Got Talent was as big a success as always. Team South Africa managed to win the overall competition without the need for vuvuzelas!!! Lionel Deverell won the junior prize with his rendition of “Lean On Me”, while David Kavanagh saw his puppet show, featuring Andre the camel impersonating Michael Jackson, take home the senior prize.

Many things were new this year in how the camp ran, but the fun, friendship, tiredness and tears on the bus home remained as always.

Every year I am indebted to the leaders who volunteer their time to the camps but this year that gratitude is on a whole new level. I would also like to thank the Mothers Union for their generous donation towards the camp. I would finally like to extend my thanks to the volunteers behind the scenes and the Parishes and youth workers who continue to support the camps.

It’s been a blast as always.

See you all next July!!

Save these dates: Junior Camp, July 3-8, Senior Camp July 10-15. AND the mystery dates of February 21-25.

WATCH THIS SPACE!!

Leader Accounts

Below are 2 accounts of a Junior leader and a first time senior leader.

Going to Gurteen as a junior leader for the first time was a strange yet epic experience. I’d been a camper for 7years and I always looked forward to being one of the superiors. When I was a young one I always looked up to and respected the leaders and the thought that I was actually going to be one was very exciting. But, it wasn’t all just praise and glory for me, I realised just how much time, effort, organisation and pure energy was needed in running and controlling a camp of this extremity. As a camper in Gurteen, I used to think the nights were late and mornings were early but, being a leader, the nights were REALLY late and the mornings were REALLY early. This year in Guteen was a year with a difference, I got to see the behind the scene works of the camp and learnt all about how to be a good youth leader, but even with the extra hours and responsibilities, Gurteen still remained fun and exciting as it always has been.

- Aisling O Keefe, Junior Leader, Booterstown Parish

This was my first year at Gurteen. I had never been as a camper and going into a situation where i didn’t know what to expect was very daunting. However the group of leader there were fantastic they were always there if you didn’t know what to do. The campers where amazing, very enthusiastic with every activity whether it be games or worship. For me i had many highlights these included the messy games, worship and also the day trip. But my highlight would be meeting so many great people and learning so much from both leaders and campers. I would recommend this camp to everyone because of both the fun and fellowship you get over week.

- Daniel O’ Kelly, Senior leader, Coolock Parish