Tag Archives: travel

Campamento 2025 Travel Day and Day 0

15 Jun

Travel day started at MSP at 3:25 AM on Saturday. The counters open at 3:30 AM. Kathy and Shelly stayed with me. Everyone else made their flights! It’s worth the trouble to leave early, so we arrive in the daytime. Two of us took Delta, and the rest took American. Jackie was already here in the country when we arrived. Sister Grace, Sister Stefanie, and Job picked us up in the guagua, plus a small truck for the luggage. Not much to report, except that for the first time, one bag was stuck in Miami. It arrived today (Sunday) in Azua. So, we left the airport later than usual because they had to report the missing bag, etc.  We did stop at El Carmelo to visit with the Sisters there, enjoy a delicious first meal, and take our traditional traveler group photo in the beautiful garden. 

Arriving at Camp is a unique experience; you have to be here to see it! When we arrived, they were dancing on the kiosk and just started screaming. It was so cute and so fun. 

Soon after was evening circle time of prayers, reflection, and welcoming us. We felt very welcomed and very tired!

On Sunday, we had a small breakfast and then started camp. We had circle time with a prayer and then introduced this year’s theme song, “You Say” by Lauren Daigle, and the name-learning game. Some of the travelers played with the girls more (rock, paper, scissors) while others organized the bags and readied the t-shirts for tie-dying! 

Mass at 11 AM was an experience, as always. A new (to us) priest came to do the Mass. We celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The girls, led by Sister Fifi, sang, and everyone was on their best behavior.

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After a huge lunch, a dance teacher came. It was her third Sunday here. The kids loved her, and we did, too. Each of us participated as we could. She’s a pro! The Sisters are so creative, providing the girls with enrichment programs like dance, tutoring, crafts, etc.

The girls then jumped in the pools and dyed their T-shirts. They are now soaking overnight, and they can wear them on this week’s excursion.

It was a busy, fun weekend!

Ann

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Experience ‘Women of Faith’ at Campamento: Kickoff Meeting

20 Jan

Monday, February 3, 6:30-8:00 PM, 200 Rooms (upstairs)

Please join us to learn more about Campamento. Whether or not you plan to travel this year, you’re welcome to do so. Past travelers are welcome to share their experiences.

RSVP here.

Opening Prayer

Walk with Us in Our Search
Help us discover our own riches;
Don’t judge us poor because we lack what you have.
Help us discover our chains;
Don’t judge us slaves by the type of shackles you wear.
Be patient with us as a people;
Don’t judge us backward simply because we don’t follow your stride.
Be patient with our pace;
Don’t judge us lazy simply because we can’t follow your tempo.
Be patient with our symbols;
Don’t judge us ignorant because we can’t read your signs.
Be with us and proclaim the richness of your life which you can share with us.
Be with us and be open to what we can give.
Be with us as a companion who walks with us neither behind nor in front in our search for life and ultimately for God!Written by Bishop Bienvenido S Tudtud, Prelature of Marawi,Lanao del Sur, Philippines

Introductions

We’d like to learn your name, how you heard about the trip, your background, and your interest in this trip.

Traveler’s Preparation Guide Overview

Dates

We have openings for June 14-22 for travelers interested in sharing a spiritual experience with young women and girls from another country.

Cost

The Delta flight is now $1450, and the American is $825. Here’s the Kayak link. For more cost factors, see the FAQ page.

Camp Activities

Our camp theme is “Women of Faith.” We study Bible stories, play music, make crafts, perform skits, and do other activities. We pray, exchange stories, share love, and spend time with the girls. They learn English, enjoy crafts, and build self-esteem through the activities.

Each trip is deeply touching and spiritual. Special gifts you may share are patience with kids, crafting and beading talents, or your professional experience.

Readings for Discernment

Along with Pope Francis writings and many readings in the Bible, check out Why? and Expectations

Next Steps

  • Mark your calendar for next meeting Monday, March 10 6:30-8 PM Central
  • Think about camp theme songs
  • For camp Bible study, think about Noah’s wife (rainbow crafts ready), Martha/Mary, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and one more New Testament Woman.

Closing Prayer

God thank you for bringing us together on this chilly night to dream about warmer possibilities! Please help us all open our hearts and minds to joining Campamento this year. Help us discern this information so that we can make the best choice for ourselves, our families, the other travelers, our Parish, and our Sister Parish. Amen

RSVP here.

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El BĂşho Es Mi Amigo.

7 Jul

For the first time ever, I flew to Santo Domingo a few days early to visit Santo Domingo and practice Spanish with the Sisters at El Carmelo. Thought I’d share those days as well.

On my first day in Santo Domingo, I visited a shipwreck museum… not what I was aiming for, (still have a way to go with Spanish 🤣), but it was where the Uber driver dropped me off. I quickly found it super interesting. We all know about global trade routes in the 16th and 17th centuries, but the reasons, the technology, and the tragedies just blow my mind.

Fun fact: The Santa Maria, one of Christopher Columbus’ ships, crashed on the north shore of the island of Hispaniola (tourist area). And the ship crew used the ship remains to build the first fort “Christmas Fort” or “La Navidad”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Navidad The Taino leveled it later.

Trade and smuggling – note the land passage from Veracruz, Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, for trade with China. Smuggling became more lucrative than above-the-board trading because authorities exploited their monopolies and kept raising taxes.

Chinese Porcelain
“Cemented” silver for smuggling – they also developed false-bottomed boxes, etc.

After a macadamia/chocolate gelato …

I visited the famous first church in the western hemisphere – the audio tour was informative and left me with more questions.

Altar

Some of the Chapels: A modern nativity scene, (I can’t remember), a picture of Alta Gracia which is different than what we usually see, the crypt of the governor and bishop of the Santo Domingo, designed and built by Medici, last is Our Lady of Pain.

The Sisters have been wonderful as usual. the food – especially the chicken, fruit, and coffee are delicious. I do love food that I don’t have to plan, shop for, and cook 😋.
At breakfast this morning I asked whether Azua has had any problems because of Haiti. They all said no, the border is well-guarded.
I’ve been getting and Santo Domingo very really thanks to Uber. Two of the three drivers are also earnest Duolingo learners, so that’s been fun chit chat.
We’re excited to see everyone Saturday!!

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Campamento 2024 Kickoff Meeting

5 Feb

Monday, February 5, 6:30-8:00 PM, 200 Rooms (upstairs)

Please join us to learn more about Campamento, whether you can travel or not, you’re welcome. Past travelers are welcome to share their experiences.

Opening Prayer

Walk with Us in Our Search
Help us discover our own riches;
Don’t judge us poor because we lack what you have.
Help us discover our chains;
Don’t judge us slaves by the type of shackles you wear.
Be patient with us as a people;
Don’t judge us backward simply because we don’t follow your stride.
Be patient with our pace;
Don’t judge us lazy simply because we can’t follow your tempo.
Be patient with our symbols;
Don’t judge us ignorant because we can’t read your signs.
Be with us and proclaim the richness of your life which you can share with us.
Be with us and be open to what we can give.
Be with us as a companion who walks with us neither behind nor in front in our search for life and ultimately for God!Written by Bishop Bienvenido S Tudtud, Prelature of Marawi,Lanao del Sur, Philippines

Introductions

Name, how you heard about trip, your background, your interest in this trip

Traveler’s Preparation Guide Overview

Dates

We have openings for July 6-14 for travelers interested in sharing a spiritual experience with young women and girls from another country.

Cost

The Delta flight now is $1400, American is $1100. See the FAQ page for more cost factors.

Camp Activities

Our camp theme is “Women of Faith”. We study bible stories, play music, make crafts, perform skits, and do other activities. We pray, exchange stories, share love, and spend time with the girls. Through the activities they learn English, enjoy crafts, and build self-esteem.

Each trip is deeply touching and spiritual. Special gifts you may share are patience with kids, crafting and beading talents, or your professional experience.

Readings for Discernment

Along with Pope Francis writings and many readings in the Bible, check out Why? and Expectations

Next Steps

Closing Prayer

God thank you for bringing us together on this chilly night to dream about warmer possibilities! Please help us all open our hearts and minds to joining Campamento this year. Help us discern this information so that we can make the best choice for ourselves, our families, the other travelers, our Parish, and our Sister Parish. Amen

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