CHESAPEAKE, MARYLAND – With a blessing ceremony and exhortative words from Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, the camping season began at the Metropolis’ camps named ‘The Good Shepherd’, located in Chesapeake, MD. This camping session includes 95 children from the communities, which also send priests and counselors.

In his message after the blessing ceremony, Metropolitan Apostolos urged the children “to use this opportunity at camp to learn more about their Faith, to form beautiful friendships with other Orthodox children, and to draw closer to our Lord and Savior.”

It is emphasized that the camp’s goal is to enrich the lives of the participating children with a lively experience of Greek Orthodox Christianity and a profound understanding and experience of the Greek Orthodox faith and culture.

The Orthodox Faith is at the heart of the Good Shepherd program. Each day begins and ends at the chapel, followed by the daily program which includes recreational, social, and educational activities, including learning, crafts, sports, and music.

The primary aim of the camp is to instill in the children an understanding of the Orthodox Faith, encouraging them to embrace the life of the Church, and to form relationships with their peers.