Totus Tuus religious day camp program

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Shiann

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I’m not sure how wide spread this program is, and I would like to find out a little more about it.

This is what I know:
Totus Tuus is a week long program that is put on by a group of people who come to the parish to provide the Catholic equivalent of vacation bible school. It’s my understanding that the volunteers in this program are college age students who travel to different parishes leading the classes. Kids in grades 1st-5th have a day camp, and the 6th-12th grade students have an evening camp.

I tried to research it online, and found reference to it in a few places- all seemingly pleased with and excited about the program.

Does anyone else have any experience with this program, or who have had their children in this program?

Maybe you’ve read something particular about this program. I tried asking for some further information from our parish rectory, but they basically reiterrated what I already knew.

Thanks!
 
While I don’t know a whole lot about it, I did have some friends in college who participated. I can tell you that these friends would not have been involved in anything unorthodox. I also believe that sometimes seminarians get involved.

Overall, I have the impression that it is a very orthodox, plant the seeds, get people excited about the faith type of program.
 
Thanks!

I was hoping to get that reaction… From what I’ve heard from my daughter, it seems to be proper Catholic instruction. She started Monday, and they have been discussing the cardinal virtues. Nice interesting and appropriate subject for 8-10 year olds.

She’s excited to go every day 👍
 
Totus Tuus is great! I Volunteered one summer while in college and it was such fun. My brother who was a seminarian at the time (a priest now) was with our group as well. There is usually always a seminarian with the group. It has grown from one group to I think about three or four that cover our whole state (KS) for the summer. It is a great Catholic alternative to VBS.
 
This sounds like good news to us. We have been thinking about sending our 10 yr old son to a TT session scheduled for next month but were not sure. Our parish’s regular rel ed program is rather pathetic and didn’t want him to get embroiled in another fiasco. Based on these comments, we will sign him up for this.
 
My son just finished up his TT program last week, and he had a blast!

I found it to be very orthodox. They covered some of the virtues and the mysteries. My son also went to Mass everyday, which is always beneficial. He learned, and passed onto us, that they (children) aren’t supposed to stand on the kneelers and other general behavior to have in church. IE Genuflecting before sitting down, reverency, etc.

The students running the program were on fire for their faith and passed that on also. They would, literally, holler their prayers with the kids. An example would be when they crossed themselves “In the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit, Amen” the volume would get louder and louder and would finish with a gym-hollering AMEN from all the kids and the teachers.
Kids really love that stuff.

Can’t wait for him to do it again and the others to be old enough.
Hope this helps.
 
I participated one summer, after my freshman year in college–about six years ago. The program is ENTIRELY solid and yes, there are MANY seminarians and quite a few “repeat” team members that get invited back summer after summer. Most teams consist of four people, two men and two women, some of whom are in the midst of discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Sometimes two teams will gather together if the parish is particularly large during whichever particular week.

The program is a brainchild of a priest named Fr. Bernie out of the Wichita diocese. It is in response to Pope John Paul II’s call to be “Totally Yours” (Totus Tuus)–affirming that we belong utterly to Jesus Christ.

Many, many of my friends have done the program over the years–several of whom are in the seminary now or already ordained. It’s a great program. Rest assured your kids are being catechized! Also–team members are usually more than happy to talk to parents, and if you’d like to get to know them even further–they live off of Divine Providence, and often would enjoy a meal at your home and a chance to pray together with your family.
 
It’s a great program, and in our diocese it’s often run by seminarians and parish youth group leaders. Here it’s a week long day camp of sort that consists of religious education revolving around a theme (this year the Apostle’s Creed), the sacraments - Daily Mass and Confession… games, songs, recess, lunch, a big concluding water fight on the last day, etc… my kid’s love it.
 
We have it here as well - it is a great program. They have education and fun activities, and the kids attend Mass every day. They are asked to bring some nice clothing to change into for Mass, to make it important and special - I like that.

The program for older teens is really great as well. They can relate to the TT staff members so well because they are close in age.

We usually have a team of 4 - two seminarians and 2 college students. The team stays with a family in the parish for a week and then they have a potluck supper on Wednesdays to get to know the families of the children who have been attending all week.

I would recommend it over those VBS canned programs any day.
 
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