BOSTON – Success marked the Winter Camp session at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center of the Metropolis of Boston, where over President’s Day weekend more than 100 young people gathered. These young people from throughout New England came together for worship, fellowship, discussion, and fun.

Over the course of the weekend, campers focused on the parable of the Prodigal Son taken from Sunday’s Gospel reading. Discussions centered around preparing for Great Lent and Pascha. Among the variety of activities offered, campers participated in broomball, ice fishing, winter Olympics, and a campfire. Two field trips were offered this year: one group visited Pats Peak for skiing and snowboarding, while the other visited a maple syrup factory, a cow farm, and participated in ice skating. Registration for summer camp opens on February 28th at 7 PM at metropolisofbostoncamp.org.

In an interview with The National Herald His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston said that “this year’s Metropolis Winter Camp program was yet another blessing for me as I admired over 100 campers and staff members from throughout New England who came to enjoy fellowship during the President’s Day Weekend.”

The Metropolitan also emphasized that “I am deeply grateful to the parishioners throughout New England whose visionary faith has made this ministry a reality.  It was such a blessing to participate in the worship services at the St. George Chapel and listening to our young people as they chanted so beautifully the hymns of the Vespers and Divine Liturgy in both languages.”

Metropolitan Methodios added that “in addition to enjoying Orthodox Life sessions and activities, the group participated in two off-site winter activities. The friendships that these young people enjoyed will last a lifetime. I anxiously await to see them at our Summer Camp this coming July.”

The Mission of the Metropolis of Boston Camp is to enhance the lives of its participants by bringing campers and staff into a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ, their Orthodox faith, and Hellenic culture. MBC provides the opportunity for young people of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston to foster a life-long appreciation and love of their Orthodox faith, friends, and cultural heritage.

This important Mission is accomplished by providing a safe and fun environment in which campers and staff can fully immerse themselves in the vibrancy of our Greek Orthodox Faith and learn to live Christ-centered lives. The Metropolis of Boston Camp participants get to enjoy the serene beauty of God’s creation, at our very own St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, a property acquired and developed through the loving, ceaseless, and generous donations of committed individuals, families, organizations and parishes. At the end of our program, the youth and young adults return home with strengthened faith, life-long friendships based on Christian love, and an expanded appreciation for the Orthodox Church, their faith, and Hellenic culture.

According to the website of the Metropolis of Boston:

“Thirty years ago, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios had the vision of building a camp where Orthodox Youth from across the New England Metropolis could gather, share their faith, enhance their relationship with God and connect with each other. Here we are, thirty years later and the lives of thousands of campers have been impacted, forever left with the imprint of their six days spent in the peace and serenity of the foot hills of the White Mountains. Without cell phones, TV, or Internet, the only thing to connect to is Christ shining through your fellow cabin mates and the talented staff who give of their time, talents and treasures to offer this unique camping experience.

​“Our program is built on the foundation of the six pillars – honesty, respect, openness, trust, love and forgiveness – and centered on engaging each other through faith, fun  and fellowship.

​“After having run a successful youth camp with both winter and summer programs for over twenty years, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios set his ever expanding goal and vision on offering family ministry with the same unique MBC camping experience. With the completion of the Retreat House in the fall of 2009, work began on the first ever Family Camping Program at MBC. In the winter of 2010 this new ministry exploded onto the camping scene with our first Family Winter Camp & eventually Family Spring Camp.

“With the development of Family Camp, camping  is no longer a rustic cabin in the woods with roll out camping mattresses. Our program participants stay in the Retreat House which features 35 individual guest rooms that are complete with two double beds and a private bath. Additionally, the Retreat House is home to the magnificent Great Room with its Cathedral style ceilings which make it a wonderfully cozy and beautiful place for families to hang out with each other and get to know other families as well. For those more active campers the Retreat House also has a game room and play room to help provide entertainment!

“In the fall of 2015, due to popular demand, the Metropolis of Boston Camp under the direction of the Metropolitan, started its first ever Fall Camp Program. In 2016, on the weekend of October 7th-9th, the Metropolis of Boston Camp held its second ever Fall Camp Program. The theme of the weekend was: Recharge. Reconnect. Retreat – which is exactly what our camping ministries have always offered our youth and young adults.

“As of 2019, the Metropolis of Boston Camp continues to host both GOYA Fall and Winter Camp Programs in addition to four weeks of Summer Camp, still run with the same spirit and pillars as the camp was founded upon, thirty years ago.”