New Jersey Catholic camp offers opportunities for play, prayer

Published: 2005-07-26

NEWTON, N.J. (CNS) -- This summer, 10-year-old twins Derek and Michael Walsh could barely catch their breath as they shuttled from one fun outdoor activity to another. In the rustic setting of Camp Auxilium, the boys love everything -- from swimming and basketball to archery, fishing and long hikes in the woods. They even enjoy catching frogs. "They love camp. When school gets out, they look forward to it," said their mother, Jennifer Walsh, who is a nurse at Camp Auxilium. Nestled in Sussex County's wooded splendor, the camp in the Paterson Diocese celebrated its 45th anniversary this July. This summer the Walsh twins and about 900 other children ages 3-14 experienced Camp Auxilium's "recreational teaching environment," said Salesian Sister LouAnn Fantauzza, the camp's director since 1989. "Here the kids are learning about God, faith and friendship, even if they don't realize it, because they are busy all the time, having fun," she told The Beacon, Paterson's diocesan newspaper.

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