Faith and fellowship nurtured in the great outdoors

By Heather Excell

For many young adults, faith can often feel like something carried alone. The Ascend Camp, however, offered a different experience for 20 young people from across Tasmania, who came together from 20-22 February to spend time in nature.

Run by the UTAS Catholic Chaplaincy, the camp provided an opportunity to “take a break from the usual” before Semester One began. Participants followed a rhythm of prayer and recreation designed to help them reset, with activities ranging from Mass, Adoration and the Divine Office to board games, laser skirmish, nature painting, bush walks, and evening bonfires.

For many, the weekend was as much about connection as it was about activity.

Susanna Van Eyk attended the camp as a way of meeting people her age with similar values who might help to encourage her in her faith. She was not sure what to expect but was surprised to be met with a ‘welcoming atmosphere,’ and quickly found herself forming friendships she hadn’t expected.

“Being surrounded by like-minded people in different stages of their faith journey has helped me feel less alone,” she said. “I didn’t expect to make so many friends!”

Another participant, Michael Rewis, echoed Susanna’s thoughts and feelings, saying that the camp offered him an opportunity to grow deeper in his faith as he prepared to enter the Church.

“I’ve been struggling a lot lately with not having many people my age I can talk to about my faith who actually understand it,” he said. “The Ascend Camp really opened my eyes and introduced me to a lot of other Young Catholics who share the same interests as me.”

For Edwina Matuszek, the weekend reinforced the importance of community, and strengthened the friendships that help sustain her faith.

“My faith is very important to me because it helps me to get through life,” she said. “The camp helped me to deepen my friendship with like-minded people. Having a good community and good friends helps me to maintain my faith.”

That sense of connection was fostered by the intentional structure of the weekend, which made space for both prayer and recreation. Camp chaplain Fr John Joseph Martin LEB provided spiritual guidance throughout, celebrating Mass and leading times of Adoration, prayer, confession, and conversation.

Many participants reflected on the balance of the program, noting that the combination of prayer and fellowship strengthened their faith in a tangible way.

“Outdoor Mass and night Adoration among the stars and nature was like being with Jesus in the wilderness,” said Renz Tabangay. “I’m deeply grateful for the laughter, fun and joy with my camp mates, and the quiet moments with God in prayer. To summarise it in one word, it was based.”

For those who attended, the Ascend Camp was an opportunity to go deeper in faith and encounter the joy of Catholicism, reminding those present that the Christian life is not meant to be lived alone.