Sample Day Activities

Camper activities include: Canoeing, Woodworking, Horseback riding, swimming, hiking, rappelling, basketball, archery, fishing, rock climbing, low ropes, tennis, leatherworking and arts and crafts.

A sample day begins as follows:

Breakfast - Campers start the day with the most important meal in the St. Bernard Dining Hall where we share our mornings with each other praying for a special intention from each one of the campers in the morning.

Session 1 - The typical day is broken up into sessions, as different groups of campers will experience different activities at different times. These sessions have different counselors instructing campers in the proper techniques and safe ways to enjoy the different activities.

Session 2 - One of the sessions the campers get to participate in includes team-building exercises. These short activities build teamwork, cooperation, communication, and leadership skills within our campers. They may have to navigate a "river of lava," work their way through a Giant Spider Web, or talk without speaking...

Lunch - Campers get to take a break from the June heat of Alabama and rest in our Dining Hall where they receive another nutritious meal from our Chef Andy Carmardella. Chef Andy may even come up with a special treat for anyone having a birthday during camp!

Session 3 - Various water activities go on all week at St. Bernard, ranging from fishing and canoeing on our Lake Placid to swimming at Smith Lake Park near Good Hope. Our staff teaches the proper techniques of canoeing and fishing, along with a basic swim test at the pool before the campers go swimming.

Session 4 - Campers express themselves in different ways, and to make sure everyone has an area in which they can excel, we offer an arts and crafts area where students can learn some of the basics of woodworking and leatherworking. Campers also get an opportunity to work with one of the monks of St. Bernard, our Br. David Bryant, the candle-maker on campus who teachers the campers how candles are made. Campers get a chance to make their own candles to take home at the end of the week.

Dinner - Campers once again frequent the Dining Hall for dinner served by our Chef Andy and his staff. One of the most popular times of the day, our campers pause to give thanks both for their food and something else important to them.

Evening Activities - For our campers who stay in the evenings, our staff tries offer a fun activity to wind down their day. Campers may watch movies in their respective dorms, play in a pool tournament in Founder's Hall, or enjoy a Scavenger Hunt across our campus. Our counselors end every day with prayer and thanks for another great day at Camp St. Bernard!