Ellie Hanson (right) is interviewed at Catholic Youth Summer Camp by Rachel Hare. Both are students at Columbus Bishop Watterson High School.        Photo courtesy Ellie Hanson

Student ‘transformed’ during week at camp

By Ellie Hanson

Entering my freshman year of high school and, before that, my first stay at Catholic Youth Summer Camp (CYSC), I felt lost without a group of true friends, anxious about my future, broken from past experiences that called for forgiveness of others and myself and troubled by a lack of confidence as a person, let alone as a disciple of Jesus. 

But Jesus, being who He is, met me where I was and transformed me. Throughout my week at CYSC, I experienced Jesus and the life that I was called to live. He was evident in the high-adventure, faith-inspiring activities that the camp provides, its amazing, Jesus-loving community and the renewing and life-giving power of daily Mass, talks, Adoration and prayer ministry offered there. 

During camp, I was becoming more confident and joyful. God reminded me that I was His daughter; I was loved, worthy and enough. He called me into a freedom and abundance in life that I didn’t know was possible. He told my heart not to keep the good gifts and transformation that He had given me, but to pour it out as a witness to others, calling them into life with Him. 

Because of that first week and subsequent stays at CYSC, I have fallen  in love more deeply with God and have developed a boldness and hunger to grow in my faith. Consequently, my high school experience has been different than that of most of my classmates because I am living a life set apart for Jesus. 

I would rather lead a youth ministry event than go to a weekend party, or attend a praise and worship service rather than a Friday night football game because, in the end, I know  Jesus is all that my heart desires and all that matters. I am willing to live a life that is a witness to the glory of God and to call as many people to His Heart as I can.

As an incoming high school senior and having spent my last week at CYSC, I have been reflecting  on how the Lord has worked through the many campers who flock there from across the world and how they are transformed by Him. CYSC is a place of deep and authentic love of Jesus, and it has transformed my faith life.

At CYSC, I put into practice and cultivated my faith, and it provided me with the tools to continue to grow closer to Jesus. The camp’s environment that is so on fire for Jesus inspired me to go out into my community, to truly step into boldness and to love others as Jesus would. And although this school year will look different than usual, I know that the Lord will provide in abundance.

Ellie Hanson is a senior at Columbus Bishop Watterson High School.