Activities — 'challenge by choice' approach and skill-building across age groups
Camp Christopher employs a 'challenge by choice' approach to learning and acquiring new skills. As the camper achieves new goals, the growth and new mastery of skills surpasses simple recreation. Along the way, campers gain confidence from navigating new situations. Once your child returns home, we hope you will see more confident decision-making, more willingness to take on responsibility, and more resiliency when faced with solving problems.
160-acre property in Bath Township, Ohio, featuring lakes, forests, a cave, a natural bridge, springs, wetlands, geologic formations, and grassy fields
Cabins
Three settlements: Lower Settlement (primarily male campers, named after Catholic Martyrs), Middle Settlement (named after explorers, primarily female), Upper Settlement (named after Catholic Bishops, primarily female). Rustic cabins; most without indoor plumbing; modern bathhouses nearby.
Ages
5–17
Accreditations stated by camp
American Camp Association
Activities
Waterfront
Swimming
Canoeing
Kayaking
Fishing
Land Sports
Soccer
Tennis
Archery
Volleyball
Softball
Outdoor Adventure
Hiking
More activities
arts and crafts
high and low ropes course
horseback riding
paddleboarding
Clues to fit
Community & belonging — inclusion of all, widening the circle
We strive to include and accept all persons into our camp family, especially those who are most vulnerable. Your child will witness many examples of campers and staff supporting one another and working hard to establish a strong sense of community during each session. We value diversity and see it as integral to our ability to perform our mission. At Camp Christopher, we can always widen the circle around the campfire to welcome people who are new or different from us.
Homesickness — guidance for parents and practical tips
Homesickness is a completely natural phenomenon and happens universally to all age groups. It is especially common for children on their first night at camp. A more realistic label for the condition might be 'Routine Sickness' because the symptoms flare up most significantly when the child has downtime during which the child can reflect on what might be happening at home. Refrain from telling your child that he or she can come home if camp isn't going well — it helps the child to succeed if he or she has not been told in advance that they can go home if they feel homesick. Please consider allowing your child to bring something personal from home like a letter, photo, or pillow.
Setting — 160 acres in Bath Township with lakes, forests, cave, and natural bridge
Located on 160 acres in Bath Township, Camp Christopher is the summer home to thousands of young people every summer. The property offers beautiful lakes, forests, a cave, one of a few natural bridges in the state of Ohio, springs, wetlands, geologic formations, grassy fields, and more. The diversity of the ecosystems at Camp Christopher makes it home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, some of which cannot be easily found in this region of the world anymore.
Stewardship — outdoor setting as classroom for environmental responsibility
The pastoral setting of Camp Christopher makes the perfect place to teach stewardship of the earth. Campers experiencing nature in such a direct way are in a perfect place to learn to respect the environment and the duty we each have to be stewards of the earth. We view the outdoors as the ultimate classroom and recognize that it affords daily opportunities for a great variety of physical challenges, social play, and exploration of the natural world.
Since 1924, Camp Christopher has pursued an ideal: To provide children not merely a positive recreational experience, but one that would contribute meaningfully to their balanced development. Camp Christopher is the preeminent traditional summer camp in Northeast Ohio, entering its 102nd summer. Each summer, Camp Christopher serves youth from all over the United States, and even from some countries overseas. Generations of families have made this beautiful property their children's home away from home.
Activities — Ropes Challenge Courses, confidence and group dynamics
The Ropes Challenge Courses improve individual confidence and group dynamics by increasing the level of trust, support, and cooperation between participants. The elements are designed to help campers grow closer together, achieve their goals, discover new interpersonal strengths, and develop resilience.
Camper rights — dignity, creativity, safety, and interpersonal growth
Every camper attending Camp Christopher has the right to: a camp environment in which every camper is treated with dignity, care, respect and fairness; a camp experience where he or she can explore his or her own creativity and accept new challenges without fear of failure or ridicule; a camp experience which provides every camper with the opportunity to develop and improve interpersonal skills by meeting new people and creating friendship bonds; and an environment that practices a program of proper safety management that includes the proper screening and training of counselors and adoption of standards established by the American Camp Association.
Camp Christopher offers some of the most pristine trails in Northeast Ohio. On our nature hikes, campers learn about the different plants and animal life, along with some history about the people that used to inhabit the same area that campers walk today. The Cleveland Museum of Modern History, through a project cataloging species of flora and fauna, has identified rare or previously considered extinct species on the property. The trails lead to various historical artifacts on the property, including Old Man's Cabin. You may hear your child tell you about 'Mummy's Cave,' a naturally existing rock formation, or the natural bridge, which is one of a few natural bridges that exist in Northeast Ohio.
Activities — horseback riding, stables with 12–15 horses
Our stables are the summer home of 12-15 horses each year. Our experienced staff care for the horses and offer both trail and arena rides to campers throughout each day. In addition to riding, campers may be offered training in grooming or other equestrian skills.
Cabin assignments — three settlements, age- and gender-based placement
There are three settlements of cabins at Camp Christopher. The Lower Settlement, which usually hosts primarily male campers, is closest to the entrance, and the cabins are named after Catholic Martyrs. The Middle Settlement is just past Lake Marion and is named after explorers. The Upper Settlement is the furthest down the road and is named after Catholic Bishops. We assign campers to cabins based on gender and age, clustering campers whose ages are within a range of a few years from one another to give them the best chance of developing meaningful relationships with peers who share common interests and similar abilities.
Cabin mate requests — up to two requests, must be reciprocal
Campers may request up to two cabin mates on the Resident Camp application. Camp Christopher will make every effort to honor requests but cannot guarantee cabin placement. All cabin mate requests must be made at the time of application. The request must be reciprocated by the other camper for it to be considered. Please remember that one of camp's greatest benefits is the development of NEW friendships.
Financial assistance — Camp Christopher Scholarship Fund, 98 summers of support
Catholic Charities seeks to equalize access to the camping experience for youth living within the boundaries of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and who are of limited economic means. Camp Christopher has been providing academic and social support to campers for the past 98 summers. The Camp Christopher Scholarship Fund, sponsored by the Women's Board of Catholic Charities of Summit County, provides a child in need with a memorable camp experience.
Meals — St. Francis Dining Hall, salad bar, dietary accommodations including gluten-free
We serve our meals in the spacious St. Francis Dining Hall, which overlooks Lake Marion. We offer a menu with a range of healthy options, including a salad bar at lunch and dinner each day. We are able to accommodate most allergy or special diet restrictions, including gluten-free diets. Regardless of the main course at a meal, there is always an alternative option so that every child leaves the dining hall with a full stomach. Counselors sit at every table and are present to facilitate conversation, teach the practice of good manners, and ensure that every child is finding something adequate to eat at each meal.
