Order of Malta Youth Host International Camp in Belgium

 

This August, a Federal Association team took part in an international summer camp for people with disabilities, hosted by the young people of the Belgian Association at a school near Waterloo on the grounds of the Chateau d’Argenteuil.

Each summer since 1983 the youth of the Order of Malta gather in a different European city to provide a summer camp for their peers aged 18 to 35 with disabilities. The camp is organized by a host country and welcomes approximately 200 disabled guests who are assisted by more than 300 helpers and volunteer staff from around the world. This principal work of the youth of the Order of Malta is an opportunity to build close friendships, explore the world, and experience new things. It offers our Federal Association volunteers the opportunity to learn more about the Order’s charism serving our lords, the sick, while providing our guests’ families with a respite, knowing their loved ones are well cared for.

The Federal Association brought its largest team ever with six volunteer helpers (Mary Acosta, Tony Kauffman, Veronique Ehamo, Ben Malec, KM, Rich Mena Jr., KM, and Chris Murphy, KM) assisting six disabled guests from the Boston, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans areas, and joining with teams from more than 20 other countries across Europe and as far away as Lebanon. Federal Association Executive Director Deacon Michael Stankewicz accompanied the team as our chaplain.

Camp attendees visited Brussels and Antwerp where everyone learned about the architecture and history of Belgium. Masses were celebrated in beautiful cathedrals. This included the Feast of the Assumption where our guests and volunteers prayed for the continued intercession of our Blessed Mother while appreciating the altar masterpiece Assumption of Mary by the Belgian painter Peter Paul Rubens. Several of our guests were proud to be altar servers at the Masses. Of course, we couldn’t forget to try the famous Belgian pommes frites (Belgian fries) and Belgian chocolates, both of which Team USA gladly devoured! Completing our historic “hat trick,” we visited the battlefield of Waterloo where we learned about the fierce battle there that ended the campaign of Napoleon and helped shape the world as we know it.

Guests were also offered the opportunity to go on off-site adventures accompanied by the volunteers. These included an amusement park, a visit to the #1 zoo in Europe, and even paragliding.

Back at the campsite, our team participated in many activities such as a comic book workshop, a petting zoo, and painting while enjoying the beautiful day and getting to know participants from the many other countries (as well as playing fetch with the camp mascot dog, Scala).

After the sun retired each night, the fun of the camp didn’t stop.

There were “International nights” where each country prepared some special food item from their country to share with the camp. This year, one of our guests, Meghan, who has her own online cooking channel, led the team in making American brownies (first created in Chicago) as well as Arnold Palmer drinks. Our team enjoyed sharing these treats but enjoyed even more getting to taste the foods of the other countries.

During “Malta’s Got Talent” night we had fantastic team performances highlighting the talents of our guests and volunteers. Team USA, led by our guest Ryan, had every camper singing along to “Sweet Caroline” and it was “so good, so good, so good!” Each team also supported the others, including a special performance by the Ukrainian team who sang a traditional Ukrainian song as the camp clapped along.

Most nights saw the camp turn into a disco dance club. With fun themes like “Smurfs” (created in Belgium), “Decades” (costumes of the past), and “the Surreal,” participants dressed up in silly costumes and danced the nights away to music from around the world. A fun time was had by all, though maybe not much sleep.

One night however, the disco was silenced so all attendees could spend some time with God. We all participated in a Marian procession around the campsite while singing the Ave Maria leading to Eucharistic Adoration. Camp participants were offered the opportunity to spend hours in quiet prayer as well as to receive the sacrament of Confession.

The camp this year was a tremendous success for all our participants. For a couple of our guests, it was their first time out of the United States or first trip without their families. They all explored the beautiful country of Belgium as well as the world of possibilities that are open to each of us regardless of personal challenges. For our volunteers it was an opportunity to serve and to be inspired working alongside our colleagues from around the globe, gaining a further appreciation of the worldwide reach of the Order of Malta. As another International Malta Camp has ended, we thank our guests who welcomed us into their lives, our volunteers who gave of themselves in this service, and the many generous supporters who helped fund the costs of our guests. Above all, we give thanks to our Lord for the great work He does through this Ministry and ask Him to continue to watch over it.

We look forward to welcoming guests and volunteers to camp next year, which will be hosted in Switzerland August 10-18, 2024. Information about applications will be out in the new year, but anyone interested in joining as a volunteer or guest should contact Chris Murphy, KM (Christopher.f.murphy@gmail.com) or Rich Mena Jr., KM (Richamena@gmail.com).

This August, a Federal Association team took part in an international summer camp for people with disabilities, hosted by the young people of the Belgian Association at a school near Waterloo on the grounds of the Chateau d’Argenteuil.

Each summer since 1983 the youth of the Order of Malta gather in a different European city to provide a summer camp for their peers aged 18 to 35 with disabilities. The camp is organized by a host country and welcomes approximately 200 disabled guests who are assisted by more than 300 helpers and volunteer staff from around the world. This principal work of the youth of the Order of Malta is an opportunity to build close friendships, explore the world, and experience new things. It offers our Federal Association volunteers the opportunity to learn more about the Order’s charism serving our lords, the sick, while providing our guests’ families with a respite, knowing their loved ones are well cared for.

The Federal Association brought its largest team ever with six volunteer helpers (Mary Acosta, Tony Kauffman, Veronique Ehamo, Ben Malec, KM, Rich Mena Jr., KM, and Chris Murphy, KM) assisting six disabled guests from the Boston, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans areas, and joining with teams from more than 20 other countries across Europe and as far away as Lebanon. Federal Association Executive Director Deacon Michael Stankewicz accompanied the team as our chaplain.

Camp attendees visited Brussels and Antwerp where everyone learned about the architecture and history of Belgium. Masses were celebrated in beautiful cathedrals. This included the Feast of the Assumption where our guests and volunteers prayed for the continued intercession of our Blessed Mother while appreciating the altar masterpiece Assumption of Mary by the Belgian painter Peter Paul Rubens. Several of our guests were proud to be altar servers at the Masses. Of course, we couldn’t forget to try the famous Belgian pommes frites (Belgian fries) and Belgian chocolates, both of which Team USA gladly devoured! Completing our historic “hat trick,” we visited the battlefield of Waterloo where we learned about the fierce battle there that ended the campaign of Napoleon and helped shape the world as we know it.

Guests were also offered the opportunity to go on off-site adventures accompanied by the volunteers. These included an amusement park, a visit to the #1 zoo in Europe, and even paragliding.

Back at the campsite, our team participated in many activities such as a comic book workshop, a petting zoo, and painting while enjoying the beautiful day and getting to know participants from the many other countries (as well as playing fetch with the camp mascot dog, Scala).

After the sun retired each night, the fun of the camp didn’t stop.

There were “International nights” where each country prepared some special food item from their country to share with the camp. This year, one of our guests, Meghan, who has her own online cooking channel, led the team in making American brownies (first created in Chicago) as well as Arnold Palmer drinks. Our team enjoyed sharing these treats but enjoyed even more getting to taste the foods of the other countries.

During “Malta’s Got Talent” night we had fantastic team performances highlighting the talents of our guests and volunteers. Team USA, led by our guest Ryan, had every camper singing along to “Sweet Caroline” and it was “so good, so good, so good!” Each team also supported the others, including a special performance by the Ukrainian team who sang a traditional Ukrainian song as the camp clapped along.

Most nights saw the camp turn into a disco dance club. With fun themes like “Smurfs” (created in Belgium), “Decades” (costumes of the past), and “the Surreal,” participants dressed up in silly costumes and danced the nights away to music from around the world. A fun time was had by all, though maybe not much sleep.

One night however, the disco was silenced so all attendees could spend some time with God. We all participated in a Marian procession around the campsite while singing the Ave Maria leading to Eucharistic Adoration. Camp participants were offered the opportunity to spend hours in quiet prayer as well as to receive the sacrament of Confession.

The camp this year was a tremendous success for all our participants. For a couple of our guests, it was their first time out of the United States or first trip without their families. They all explored the beautiful country of Belgium as well as the world of possibilities that are open to each of us regardless of personal challenges. For our volunteers it was an opportunity to serve and to be inspired working alongside our colleagues from around the globe, gaining a further appreciation of the worldwide reach of the Order of Malta. As another International Malta Camp has ended, we thank our guests who welcomed us into their lives, our volunteers who gave of themselves in this service, and the many generous supporters who helped fund the costs of our guests. Above all, we give thanks to our Lord for the great work He does through this Ministry and ask Him to continue to watch over it.

We look forward to welcoming guests and volunteers to camp next year, which will be hosted in Switzerland August 10-18, 2024. Information about applications will be out in the new year, but anyone interested in joining as a volunteer or guest should contact Chris Murphy, KM (Christopher.f.murphy@gmail.com) or Rich Mena Jr., KM (Richamena@gmail.com).