More than 200 teens came together from July 7-9 for the second annual running of Camp Christ at Farmingdale State College.
The camp was emceed and led spiritually by Diocese of Rockville Centre Vocation Director, former Olympian and Division III National Football Champion, Father Joe Fitzgerald.
“Each morning the kids did a brief athletic warm up and then came into mass, the message was relevant and geared to the sport world but also to teens who are experiencing the challenges and pressures of life and growing up here on Long Island where they do not always see God working in their lives. One of the most profound moments for me came when I was walking back from the field just before mass on the second day, and a baseball player was dragging in a little late and looking really tired to the warm-up – I jokingly said “hey what’s with the delay”, he stopped and said, “I was going to skip today, but I didn’t want to miss mass!!” In that moment I knew all the hard work that was done behind the scenes especially with the volunteers was all worth it – that is why we hold this Catholic Camp, so kids can encounter and experience Jesus – on the field, in the drills, by the speakers and most importantly at the Mass. I can’t wait for next year!! Camp Christ 2015,” Fr.Joe said.
Duke University lacrosse coach John Danowski, who ran the lacrosse part of the camp, enjoyed his experience.
"It was awesome. It exceeded my expectations. Coming in I didn't know what to think because I never experienced anything like this before. But I would sign up for next year in a heartbeat.”
Each day the campers would gather for prayer and training in their sports. This year the camp featured baseball, softball, and lacrosse.
Before the athletes hit the field they went to mass.
Following mass there was time to learn skills relating to their respective sports.
Former New York Yankee pitcher Aaron Small, who ran the baseball part of the camp, came to the camp last year and wanted to come back.
“It was awesome. I was here last year for one day, I spoke and when I got called by Andrew Russell to come back and work with the kids I was absolutely honored. It is an amazing camp and I am definitely blessed to be a part of it,” he said.
Small, who almost quit baseball before he went 10-0 with the Yankees in 2005 shared how God played a role in his major league career.
“Without my faith in God I was going to quit that very day I was called up to New York. I thank God that he didn't let me quit. He kept me persevering and I knew my faith was in him and not in myself and he gave me the courage and the strength to keep battling through even though there were some hard things going on in my career. With God I would have walked away from my career and missed an absolute blessing.”
Like Small, Danowski shared how they could be better athletes but also life lessons that make them better people.
“Besides the skill piece which is the idea why I am here. We also found some teachable moments. Opportunities on what it is like to be a great teammate, importance of commitment and work and how a balance life is important. Lacrosse does not define who we are as people. It is part of what we do, an important part, but it is not everything,” the 2014 NCAA Nation Champion Coach said. “When you really think about the principles a team stands for everything is rooted in what was written two thousand years ago. We talk about commitment, we talk about doing your best, we talk about being a good listener, we talk about caring deeply about those around us. I mean we can find that in the book that was written a long time ago by coaches far greater than me and all we are doing is stealing their stuff.”
Along with instruction on the field, each day featured a keynote address after lunch.
Olympic gold medalist Curt Tomasevic and New York Giant Prince Amukamara shared how they lived a life of faith and used it to be a successful person and athlete.
The campers were treated to a treat on Wednesday when former New York Knick Charles Oakley came to make them lunch.
The second running of camp Christ was a success and trained the athletes physically and spiritually.
“Just remember he gave you the ability and more importantly it is more than your ability in a sport he has given you to do but it is your relationship with the Lord. That matters more than anything. If you live for him, he is going to bless your life,” Small said.
.