This summer at The Pines has been such a beautiful experience.  It is such a blessing to watch the Holy Spirit reach out to each and every camper and staff member, and bestow God’s overwhelming grace on their hearts.  The heat, long hours, and lack of sleep meet no match to the spiritual satisfaction staff members receive to having the amazing opportunity to spend our summers winning souls over to God’s love.  I encourage each and every parent to allow their kids to spend a week at The Pines, so that the might have the opportunity to make great Catholic friends, have an amazing week of fun, and grow ever deeper in their faith.  Thanks and Gig ‘Em.  Johnny D. 

 

As a counselor at The Pines, you never know the exact thought process of your campers. You minister to such a wide variety of kids depending on what cabin you are put in for the week. I will never forget the experience of being with the youngest group, 7-8 year olds. I had one of the toughest, yet sweetest campers; her name is Vivien. Throughout the whole week I never knew if she was having a good time regardless of how hard I tried, but on Saturday morning when her parents came to pick her up she cried into my shirt saying how much she didn’t want to leave and how much she LOVED The Pines. The Holy Spirit works through our staff in so many different ways. Two weeks after Vivien left I received a letter in the mail saying, “I miss you so much. I’m crying right now. The Pines was the best time I’ve ever had in my whole life.” Who knew the words of an 8 year old could be so affirming. Vivien’s letter is proof that The Pines’ ministry is changing lives of our children even when they go home.

Sally