St Seraphim Russian Orthodox Camp

Our 2011 Camp was a tremendous success. We thank all those who participated and look forward to another wonderful year in 2012. The camp dates for 2012 are July 29-August 5, 2012. Registration is now open.

Camp fees for 2012 are only $275.00 per child. After the deadline of July 5, the fee will increase to $300.00. Please register early to avoid this price increase! No scholarships are available after the deadline.

St. Seraphim Youth Camp is a private, not for profit, fully insured organization serving the needs of the Russian Orthodox community. The camp was founded in 1994 with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Laurus of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. Our camp utilizes the facilities of the Boy Scouts of America in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

The camp is held each year at the feast of St. Seraphim of Sarov. We accept Russian Orthodox youth between grades 3 and 12.

A Spiritual Retreat

Each day begins and ends with prayer and includes daily religious instruction. The fasts of the Russian Orthodox Church are strictly observed. A camp choir sings the services and each child goes to Confession and Holy Communion. Several priests are in the camp the entire week and available for any spiritual needs.

Camp Activities

Camp activities include all the wonderful experiences we associate with camping, including arts and crafts, swimming, sports, archery, hiking, tube rafting, flag games and, of course, bonfires.

Serving the Church

Since 1994, with the blessings of the ever memorable Metropolitan Lavr, St. Seraphim Camp has served thousands of youth. The camp began earlier as a family outing for the parish of Christ the Savior in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Metropolitan Lavr saw the need for such a camp to serve a wider audience and immediately blessed the foundation of St. Seraphim Camp. An arrangement was made with the Boy Scouts of America to rent a camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. The first camp was attended by well over 100 children. Today the camp serves over 200.

 
A miraculous event occurred which solidified the resolve of the children and staff. One early morning, as is usual, the children had gathered for morning prayers. All the children and staff were present. During the reading of the prayers the camp director, Fr. Alexis, heard church bells being rung, a trezvon. He assumed someone in the kitchen was playing a recording while they worked. Many of the children also heard the bells and wondered where they were coming from. After the prayers there was a lot of conversation about the bells. Upon further investigation, it was determined that there were no radios or players anywhere. The camp is situated far, far from any homes or civilization. It was determined that the bells was something not of this world.

Metropolitan Lavr was contacted and the miraculous bell ringing was explained. Vladika said that it was a sign from God that this endeavor was pleasing to Him and a great blessing. Since that time, every camper has heard the story of "St. Seraphim’s Bells". The camp endeavors to keep that original spirit alive. Due only to God’s blessing, the camp has prospered for many years and is currently the largest Russian Orthodox camp in the West.