For 25 years, Monsignor Edward Pace High School has been sending students to LIFE camps across the country. Seven Pace LIFE leaders continued this tradition and attended the Marianist LIFE South camp in Mountain Home, Texas for seven days, July 16 to July 22.
Marianist LIFE South is one of several leadership training workshops held around the country for high school students who wish to strengthen their faith and grow closer to God.
The camp was held at Tecaboca, a rustic Marianist Retreat Center in the Texas country-side. Participants are only allowed to attend one LIFE camp as high school students. However, previous participants, including alumni and current Pace teachers, praised the transformative nature of the camps to the current batch of LIFE leaders. Pace Campus Minister Andres Novela, a Pace class of 1995 alumnus, attended LIFE camp as a student and went along on this retreat as the adult moderator.
“I had heard that it was a life-changing experience which really worried me because I didn't know if it would live up to the hype,” said senior Christian Roig. “The experience far exceeded my expectations.”
The camp was structured like a retreat with talks, workshops, and religious services, but also featured plenty of time for outdoor and fun activities such as soccer games, talent shows, and swimming. Just like the Pace students who first went to LIFE camp in 1990, these LIFE leaders formed new friendships and a closer relationship to each other and God.
“The people were amazing,” said senior Gabriel Sanchez. “It makes you realize that there are people just like us all over the United States and even the world.”
“[The people] were very open and accepting and by the last day I felt as if everyone in the camp was like family,” said Roig.
In addition to new friendships, the camp also created numerous memorable moments for the Pace LIFE leaders that will remain with them for years to come.
“I will never forget being able to see the stars so clearly,” said senior Alejandro Hernandez. “It was absolutely one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life.”
Hernandez also shared that “The most important thing I will take away from this camp is that we all have a purpose and are important in God’s eyes.”