St. Vincent de Paul Detroit Celebrates 100 Years of Camping Program

Since 1923, children have made the journey to St. Vincent de Paul Detroit (SVdPD) Camp Ozanam and Camp Stapleton where they swam in Lake Huron, canoed, sang camp songs, made friends, and dreamed under the stars—all at no cost to their families. In fact, more children have spent an unforgettable week at camp than there are stars one can see in the sky—128,133 children to be exact.

In 2023, the organization’s free summer camp program is turning 100, and to kick off a year-long celebration, SVdPD is hosting “A Century Under the Stars,” a strolling dinner and program filled with good old-fashioned camp fun. The fundraising event will be held on December 2 at the Fillmore Theatre in Detroit. Tickets can be purchased at www.bidpal.net/svdpcamp100.

“Over the years, our camps have brought so much joy, excitement, and adventure to thousands of young people in our neighborhoods,” said Julia Hohner, Director of Camp Services at SVdPD. “We are thrilled to take this opportunity to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished over the last century and look forward to the ways we can expand our reach and develop new programming to continue providing a life-changing experience for children in southeast Michigan.

SVdPD’s camping program is one of the last remaining free overnight summer camps in the state. At camp, kids from across southeastern Michigan have the opportunity to engage in experiential learning, develop new skills, and build self-confidence. Parents and campers alike have lauded the impact of the program on children’s appreciation of nature, ability to engage cooperatively with peers, emotional intelligence, spiritual journey, and ability to disconnect from technology.

“Everything we do at St. Vincent de Paul Detroit is made possible through the generosity of donors and supporters in our Metro-Detroit community,” said Mary Lynn Faunda Donovan, CEO at SVdPD. “Every donation and every ticket sold for our anniversary event helps secure the future of our camp programs, and ensures kids continue to have a free camping adventure for the next 100 years and beyond.”

The organization operates two camp properties located on the shores of Lake Huron—Camp Ozanam in Carsonville, Michigan, and Camp Stapleton in Lexington, Michigan. Each summer, Camp Ozanam hosts hundreds of campers ages 8-16, offering a traditional co-ed camp, girls adventure camp, boys adventure camp, and staff-in-training leadership development camp. During the off-season at Camp Ozanam, and all year long at Camp Stapleton, SVdPD welcomes camp rentals, hosting events ranging from weddings to corporate events to family gatherings, and more.

To learn more about SVdPD camps, visit www.svdpdetroit.org/How-We-Help/Camps.  

St. Vincent de Paul Detroit is focused on helping all neighbors in need break out of systemic poverty. For 137 years, members have worked to prevent homelessness, fight hunger, and change lives in Metro Detroit. To learn more, visit www.svdpdetroit.org.