Camp Transfiguration

Camp Transfiguration is a summer camp for Orthodox Christian children and teens aged 9 to 16, in the Laurentian mountains of Quebec, Canada, not far from Montreal. The camp program is run by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Although not a requirement to participate, many campers are members of the following churches:

* St. Nicholas Church, Montreal, Quebec
* St. George Church, Montreal, Quebec
* St. Elias Cathedral, Ottawa, Ontario
* St. Mary's Church, Mississauga, Ontario
* St. George Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario
* St. George Church, South Glens Falls, New York
* St. George Church, Utica, New York

Camp Dates

*August 3 to August 16, 2003
*July 25 to August 7, 2004
*July 31 to August 12, 2005
*July 30 to August 5, 2006
*August 5 to August 11, 2007
*August 3 to August 9, 2008

General Information

The camp was inaugurated in August 2003, and was located at Camp Bruchési, in Saint-Hypolite, Quebec under the direction of Fr. David Smith. The second session in August 2004 took place in the same location, but with a new director. Fr. Peter Shportun took over as camp director that year, and remained in that position until 2006. During the third and fourth years, the camp was held in a new location, at the Tamaracouta Scout Reserve, where it will also take place in August 2007. The Assistant-Director was Bruna Salhany from 2003 to 2005. However, there has been no assistant in 2006. Khalil Samara, program director at the Antiochian Village, has been appointed as interim director, in order to train Assistant-Director Alex Younes to become head of the camp in 2008.

The camp's name comes from the fact that the feast of Transfiguration, one of the twelve great feasts of the orthodox church, is celebrated during every camp session, due to the feast day of August 6 always falling in the middle of the camp session, except in 2006 where it fell after.

Organization

Camp Transfiguration is still in its beginnings. Average camper population is usually near 50, except in 2004 where around 65 children attended. In 2005, the camp was almost cancelled due to under staffing. However, many counselors and CITs signed up at the last minute and kept the camp going. The 2006 season has seen a record of 80 kids.

Salaries for counselors this summer are 200$ for the week. Counselors must be 18 years of age or older. CITs (Campers-in-Transition) must be 17 or 18 and must pay a reduced camper fee. Volunteers must be 19 years and older.

This camp has been criticized for its lack of organization skills, and its little training that the staff goes through. Despite its few problems, most campers did enjoy their summers at this camp, with the exception of 2004, when for some reason, many were dissatisfied with that session.

This camp is part of the Antiochian Camping Department which overlooks many Orthodox Christian camps in North America. Camp Transfiguration started as a result of too much demand from East Canadians to attend the Antiochian Village, in western Pennsylvania, which now attracts campers and counselors from the entire continent.

External links

* [http://www.camptransfiguration.org Official Camp Website]
* [http://www.antiochian.org/camps Antiochian Department of Camping]