Camp Savio & Childlike Joy

If I were to give someone advice before coming to Camp Savio, I would say this: embrace the unexpected. The saying goes that God is a God of surprises, so if you don’t like surprises, well…

I never had the opportunity to experience Camp Savio as a middle schooler, but it has been a great blessing to serve as a camp counselor over the last few years. Each week, middle schoolers from various parishes across the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph come to Conception Abbey with the hope of growing closer to Jesus and having fun.

It may seem like a paradox: a week-long summer camp with boisterous middle-schoolers at a Benedictine monastery. However, the two complement each other well. The joy of the kids motivates me to strive for a childlike faith. Without this childlike faith, we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven (cf. Lk. 18:17). Campers enjoying simple games remind me that we are made for joy. Joy is at the heart of the Gospel, and that means Jesus came to give us life—life to the full (cf. Jn. 10:10). This simple joy is also a reminder that God is present in all things, from the fun games to the solemn liturgy of the Mass.

The gift of having camp at a Benedictine monastery is that we are constantly directed to our ultimate goal­—Heaven. The steadfast prayer of the monks encourages us to pray always, whether we are serving, resting, or going about our daily lives. My hope for campers and staff members is that they leave Camp Savio and Conception Abbey with a deeper understanding of God’s love for them and a greater desire to love Him in return.

—Mr. Eric Wachira, 2025 Seminary Alumnus, Camp Savio Counselor

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