Rev. Father Mulamoottil organized the setting up of a summer camp for children in 1987 in the Tiruvalla Diocese to provide them with opportunities to expand their skills, make friends and enjoy new education experiences. They continue to be organized every April by parishes in the Diocese.
He organized a mixed group of people to help run the camps including teachers. nuns, social workers, and priests etc. They are given one week’s training in team work, facilitation, peer counseling, participatory workshops, film screenings, discussions, campfires, cultural programs. Each parish organizes a four day residential camp for both boys and girls. About 50 trained resource persons lead small groups of 5 to 8 children in a variety of activities such as:
- Personality development classes
- Career oriented interactions
- Learning music
- Picnics
- Campfires
- Cultural Programs
- Discovering nature
- Value Education
The camps provide wonderful opportunities for young people to expand their personal interests and to enhance current skill sets and build new ones. These camps also reinforce family values and relationships through mentoring and help develop peer relationships while providing fun activities that build independence, confidence and community feeling.
Sister Tess (Mob. No. 09656276911) who worked with Rev. Fr. Mulamoottil was recently interviewed about her experiences of the first four years of the Jesus Camps, and she confirmed that 500 children participated each year.
Some images from Jesus camp, Tiruvalla
