Camp Totus Tuus is in full swing at the new diocesan campground in Reno County. With a record number of young people attending this year, the campground has come alive with laughter, conversation, singing, and prayer. The previously serene lake is now filled with campers swimming, playing, and canoeing. The mess hall becomes a hub of activity at mealtimes and for other events throughout the day. The makeshift chapel fills up for daily Mass and times of prayer. In the amphitheater overlooking the lake, campers encounter Jesus in Eucharistic adoration under the stars each night.

“It’s a beautiful thing…this new campground will give young people and families a place to go out into the wilderness and grow closer to our Lord and one another,” said Anthony Keiser, director of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

Just six months after acquiring the campground with support from the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign, the diocese completed renovations and maintenance work needed to host the overnight camp at the new location. Even before any new cabins or other facilities are built, the camp can accommodate more than 300 additional campers over the summer.

“I’m incredibly proud that we can host Camp Totus Tuus at the new location this year,” Keiser added. “It was not easy to get it ready in time and there were so many people who came together to make that happen, but seeing the campers have such a great experience makes all the hard work worth it.”

Bishop Carl A. Kemme visits the new campground often to spend time with campers and counselors and share their joy and enthusiasm for their Catholic faith.

“I love visiting the camp,” Bishop Kemme said. “It’s inspiring to see so many young people from across the diocese come together to share in faith and fellowship. This has been a dream for our diocese for a long time – it’s exciting to think about the impact this new camp will have on our Catholic community for many years to come.”

The new camp property is located just 65 minutes from downtown Wichita and features a spring-fed lake, 12 existing buildings, an amphitheater, walking trails, and other amenities. In addition to Camp Totus Tuus, it is ideal for various parish and school programs, days of recollection, retreats, and faith formation experiences for young people, families, and other groups.

Diocesan leaders are currently working with an architect and camp consultant to develop a master plan and business plan for the camp over coming months. Preliminary plans and conceptual drawings will be completed later this year. A new name for the property is also being discussed.

“This camp is a vital thing, a necessary thing in a culture that is very nervous and anxious about quiet and separation and solitude,” said Fr. Drew Hoffman, former counselor and priest of the diocese. “With these new facilities, attracting even more campers becomes increasingly promising.”

Camp Totus Tuus draws not only from metro Wichita but also from across the region. Over 15 years, more than 7,200 campers have attended with nearly a third coming from outlying parts of the diocese or other states.

Many campers experience an early call to priesthood or religious life while there; over 90% of diocesan seminarians have attended or served as counselors during high school years.

“I went to Camp Totus Tuus as a counselor; I experienced the Lord in a way I never had before," Fr. Drew said. "This camp bears fruit in so many ways."

Funds raised through One Family Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign will cover costs including property purchase renovation clean-up grounds building cabins endowment ongoing maintenance operations financial assistance families need.