SALUDA—Andrew Stewart called upon his faith to help him through a walk across a 30-foot high ropes course at the annual Catholic Camporee.
“I talked to God when I was out there,” the 12-year-old said with a laugh.
Stewart and his group of Columbian Squires from Prince of Peace Church in Taylors joined more than 500 other kids and adults Oct. 3-5 for a weekend of activities, worship and family fun. The event is open to Boy and Girl Scouts, Venture Scouts, American Heritage Girls and the Squires.
There was a little something for everyone, from an old-fashioned pie-eating contest to canoeing, archery, and racing Pinewood derby cars made out of Legos. A little bit of frontier flavor came through at rifle shooting and tomahawk throwing sessions available for the older kids.
The weekend was a chance for the Adkins family from Greenville to have a good time together. Joey Adkins, 9, is a Webelo Scout with Troop 420 from St. Mary Magdalene Church in Simpsonville, and his sibling Emily, 6, was allowed to join in the fun, such as tackling a climbing wall.
“I love how family-oriented this whole thing is,” said Debbie Adkins. “There are so many things that all the siblings can do together, and it’s been nice to see all the groups of kids are meshing together and getting along.”
Mrs. Adkins also liked the religious activities, including a living Stations of the Cross that helped children Emily’s age learn about each station using props and a kid-friendly script.
Alyssa Koren, 8, a Brownie from Troop 703 at St. Andrew Church in Myrtle Beach, bore a bit of a resemblance to Katniss Everdeen, the archery expert from “The Hunger Games,” as her dad Kevin Koren helped her with the finer points of handling a bow and arrow. It was the third time Mr. Koren and his wife Theresa had attended a camporee with their daughter.
“It’s a great way for us to spend some time as a family together outdoors,” Mr. Koren said. “It gives the girls a chance to learn about the different things they can do, and helps them build more confidence.”
Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone celebrated Mass outdoors on Oct. 4 and recognized youth who have earned religious emblems.
Nineteen Boy Scouts earned the Ad Altare Dei emblem, and five received their Pope Pius XII emblems. Five Girl Scouts earned the Family of God emblem, six received I Live My Faith and two earned Mary, the First Disciple. Sixteen Cub Scouts received the Light of Christ emblem and 12 received the Parvuli Dei.
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