By Lisa Ormond | FāVS News Reporter
Main Points
A Catholic summer camp for northern Idaho high schoolers is returning this August, this time hosted at Camp Bear Paw in Newport, Washington.
The camp is the result of a growing partnership between the Diocese of Boise and Communio CDA, an apostolate organization based in Coeur d’Alene.
In Southern Idaho, there have traditionally been two Diocesan summer camps offered but not in the Inland Northwest until now. In years past, a local Catholic nonprofit group had filled this gap.
“It was time to bring this back. It was God’s providence,” said Jason Chavez, founder of Communio CDA, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring, uniting and discipling Catholics across Northern Idaho. He is also the campus minister at Holy Family Catholic School in Coeur d’Alene and father of four children.
“The youth are not the future of the Church. They are the Church now, and these young people are not passive or disengaged,” Chavez shared. “I have seen this with my own eyes, and they are filled with a deep desire and passion for our Lord.”
An invitation to join
The North Idaho Catholic Camp will take place Aug. 9 – 13 in Newport, Washington, at Camp Bear Paw where 135 acres of wooded land along the Pend Oreille River will provide the backdrop for the week.
“It is a place for encounter, for identity, for formation and for young people to experience the living presence of God in a real and lasting way,” Chavez said.
The camp’s theme is “Awakened: Encounter Something Real” and Chavez made this bold promise to high schoolers who do come.
“This is not simply another event,” he said. “What you will discover is a quality location, theological and intellectual offerings and a ton of fun outdoor activities mixed with solitude, prayer and the sacraments.”
Committed, experienced partners
Chavez said he and his core planning team will welcome approximately 100 9th through 12th graders to this spiritual adventure of hiking, swimming, campfires, sacraments and high-energy activities like ziplining, rock climbing and a ropes course.
Carlos Gonzalez is one of Chavez’s core team members organizing the camp. He is an active St. Pius X parish youth minister and a high school math teacher for at-risk youth.
“I’m excited about this camp!” he said. “As a high school formation leader, I love to see the youth engaging with Jesus. My goal is to facilitate that through intentional encounters.”
In addition, he suggested the mid-August rollout is a bonus in terms of its programming.
“One of the best things about the camp is its timing,” Gonzalez said. “Many of our youth will have the opportunity to have this experience and go straight into school with intentionally-made Emmaus partners and new tools to continue their relationship with Jesus.”
Coming back to life
“For five years, I’ve chaperoned at the Steubenville Northwest Conference in Spokane, Washington, and I’d hear about this Catholic summer camp that wasn’t going on anymore,” Chavez said. “Right away, I had this desire to bring this back to our area youth.”
According to Chavez, for over 15 years a Catholic youth camp did exist in North Idaho. It was a nonprofit organization started and operated by the Loe family, parishioners of St. George Catholic parish in Post Falls, Idaho. However, it had no direct connection or association with the Diocese of Boise. The camp shut its doors in 2023.
For the past two years Chavez, recognizing the value of its return for faith formation, kept it close to his heart in prayer as he continued to have conversations with area Catholic community members.
‘Move forward, my son‘
What happened next was divine intervention, Chavez said.
“A couple of months ago, in prayer, the Lord made something clear to me. He said, ‘It is time.’ This did not come from a conversation or an idea. It came from him, with clarity, conviction and peace,” reflected Chavez.
But it was after a “heartfelt and powerful” personal talk with the camp’s former director Tammy Loe that compelled him to launch.
“More than anything, it confirmed what the Lord had already spoken: ‘Move forward, my son,’” Chavez said. Surrounded by committed, encouraging and engaged Catholic partners, he wasted no time in doing so.
Strong alliance
According to Chavez, joining hands and strengths with the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization has given rise to much more than the camp itself for youth and the regional church body.
“We are blessed to have this partnership with Andrew Furphy of the Diocese. It is a relationship that has grown into a true brotherhood in mission,” Chavez said. “There has been a growing spirit of unity, collaboration and communion between us and many faithful here in North Idaho.”
Furphy agreed and praised the bonds which are yielding positive outcomes.
“It has been a privilege to get to know these team members in the North Idaho region these past few years,” he said. “It is a great opportunity to bring together everything we have learned and put it in service to make it more accessible to everyone in our Diocese.”
But ultimately, it was Chavez’s vision, determination and desire to revive the camp that made it a reality on paper. Chavez deflected any praise, choosing instead to shine light on the relationships forged in faith.
“God is laying the foundation for something far greater than any one person or ministry here,” he said.
Word spreads
St. Mary’s Youth Ministry Coordinator Jenny Morrison in Moscow said she has been “waiting patiently” for its comeback. She added that many in her church remember the camp fondly.
“Many of our young parishioners grew up going to this camp for years and were sad to hear of its closing,” Morrison said. “I have been following news of the camp’s reopening and our families are looking forward to the opportunity to have their sons and daughters attend.”
St. Thomas the Apostle parishioner Louis Zember, another member of Chavez’s core team and a 15-year Catholic youth minister, said growing closer to Jesus surrounded by natural beauty, friendly peers and the sacraments is a “successful formula” for engagement and speaks to this next generation of believers.
“Getting them outdoors in the Lord’s creation with Christian music, camp fires and with like-minded Catholic high schoolers will result in creating new friends bonded in Christ Jesus through their experience.”
Ways to help
Chavez emphasized the entire North Idaho Catholic community’s support will be key to the potential fruits and outcomes of the camp.
“We need people to give their time, talents and treasures,” Chavez said. “If you feel called to be a part of this mission, I invite you to literally call or text me at 626-615-1904. I will answer.”
He said volunteers and monetary donations are at the top of his wish list now.
“We especially seek financial backing to help sponsor youth, particularly families with multiple children who want to attend,” he said.
Zember added his perspective.
“It is just critical Catholics step up to give. We really don’t want young people turned away from encountering Christ because they can’t afford it.”
Camp cost is $450, which covers all activities, lodging, meals and trained staff. Online registration is through the Diocese of Boise and is expected to be live soon.
Blessed path forward
From where Chavez sits, he knows timing is everything when it comes to a person’s faith formation.
“This is not a moment to hesitate; this is a moment to respond,” he said.
Zember agreed and offered a deeper consideration.
“I pray all youth will encounter Christ Jesus on their own and truly know how his unconditional love will always be there for them no matter what,” he said.
In the end, Chavez recognized what will happen next rests not in his hands.
“Our hope is that this camp becomes a lasting legacy in North Idaho for years to come,” he said. “We cannot fully see all that God has prepared but we trust that he is building something far greater than we can imagine.”
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