FAQs
- Who is Damascus Catholic Youth Summer Camp for?
CYSC 2024 is designed for youth who will be ENTERING grades 6-12 in the Fall 2024 (in other words, young people CURRENTLY in grades 5-11).
- When and where is camp being held?
In 2024, the Archdiocese of Baltimore week is Sunday, July 28 to Friday, August 2 at Damascus' Main Campus in Centerburg, Ohio.
- How much does camp cost?
The cost for this summer's camp experience is $745/per person, which includes the camp itself ($595, payable via the Damascus site) and bus transportation ($150, payable via the Archdiocesan RegFox platform). Both the camp and bus fees can be paid in full or in installments.
- What if I can't afford camp?
Damascus has a process for requesting financial aid for camp costs. View the video walkthrough of the process here.
Contact your parish to see if there are fundraising efforts underway or if it might be possible to begin such efforts.
If you are unable to afford camp and you belong to a historically underrepresented parish (for example, a historically Black parish, a primarily Hispanic or Asian parish, and/or a rural parish in an economically depressed area), please contact Stacy or Rena in the Office of Family, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry to discuss possible options.
- How do I register?
Please refer to the two-step process outlined here. You must complete both steps in order to be considered fully registered.
Detailed instructions for navigating the Damascus registration site are available here. Be sure you are using the direct links provided in those instructions, or else you will be unable to access our designated week. For technical questions regarding the Damascus registration site, refer to this guide.
Registration is first come, first serve and will close once all spots have been filled.
- Does my child have to ride the bus?
In short, yes. By registering to participate in the designated camp at Damascus, you are agreeing to also participate in the group transportation facilitated by the Archdiocese. This is to ensure that transportation costs remain reasonable for all.
If you choose not to utilize the bus, you are still responsible for completing "Step Two" and for paying the full cost of your spot on the bus.
- How do I know where I will be meeting the bus to Damascus?
There will be multiple bus pickup/dropoff stations throughout the Archdiocese. You will notice on the bus registration form that we ask for your preferences as to what region you would prefer to meet a bus, as well as for your parish affiliation. Using that information, we will strive to distribute the various bus pickup/dropoff locations so that no attendee has to travel an unreasonable distance to board the bus.
If your parish has a large number of attendees, it is highly likely (though not guaranteed) that your parish will be designated as a bus dropoff/pickup stations.
- If my parish sends young people to camp, does our youth minister or other parish representative have to be present for camp?
Not necessarily. During the week of camp, Damascus provides supervision for campers. However, we will need a limited number of bus chaperones for the travel time to and from camp. If you are interested in possibly serving as a bus chaperone, please indicate your interest here (note: completing this form does not guarantee that you will be asked to serve as a chaperone).
- I see that there is an adult track at camp. What will the adults who attend be doing for the week?
Adults (non-clergy) will have a retreat experience, which runs parallel to but separate from the middle and high school camp experience. This immersive experience is same cost as a middle or high school camper registration.
- What about priests? Seminarians?
Priests are very welcome to participate! Most of the priests who have attended previously simply drive up for confessions, Adoration and Mass. However, some choose to go for the week. There are accommodations for the clergy. If you are a clergy member, we can put you in touch with fellow clergy who can share their experiences with you.
If a priest is interested in participating CYSC, for either part or all of our camp week, please contact Stacy.Golden@archbalt.org ASAP.
Seminarians have an opportunity their own immersive camp experience (which does require a registration cost). If a seminarian would like to participate, please contact Stacy.Golden@archbalt.org ASAP.
- What if I want to be a bus chaperone?
There is need for a limited number of VIRTUS-cleared adults to ride the bus along with the middle and high school attendees, under the direction of the designated adult bus captain for each bus. Once we have determined where the bus pickup/dropoff sites will be located, we will have a better sense of where we need to place additional chaperones. If you are interested in possibly serving as a bus chaperone, please indicate your interest here (note: completing this form does not guarantee that you will be asked to serve as a chaperone).
- What if I have a question not answered here?
For technical questions regarding the Damascus registration site, refer to this guide.
For questions about what the Damascus experience is like for youth attendees, for adults, and for parents, contact Tina McMorland.
For other questions, contact the Office of Family, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry:
Stacy Golden, Director: Stacy.Golden@archbalt.org
Rena Black, Coordinator for Missionary Discipleship: Rena.Black@archbalt.org