In photo above, longtime Camp Pendola counselors, Will Yuponce and Katella Silva, enjoy some free time along the American River at William Pond Park in Carmichael.
Endowed with an unmistakable brand of fun, wonder and awe, Camp Pendola, the Diocese of Sacramento’s summer ministry for children ages six to 17, delivers a personal slice of “camp heaven” to every camper ready to engage in its iconic camp experience.
In celebration of its 60th anniversary in 2020, some of Camp Pendola’s biggest fans tell Catholic Herald magazine what makes this outdoor Christian community special.
Chloe Swanson
A ‘repeat’ camper with 10 consecutive Pendola experiences
“The whole experience has been really life-changing for me to go there every summer,” says Chloe Swanson, 15, a sophomore at St. Francis High School in Sacramento. Chloe first ventured off to camp for a mini-week when she was in first grade. She loves how some things never change. “The campfire when you first arrive, Mass, prayers before meals, songs and skits,” she laughs.
“It’s just amazing there,” she continues, explaining how “it’s like a restart to get out of this world” and see camp friends and counselors again at a place she lovingly refers to as her “second home.” Chloe’s respite at Camp Pendola offers a welcomed break and a chance to renew herself.
“The first few days can be a challenge,” she admits, thinking about the remote camp (without Wi-Fi) nestled in the pines of Tahoe National Forest near Camptonville. “I go for my pockets to grab my phone and realize it’s not there,” she says, conceding “but after that, it’s nice because you focus on everything around you and grow closer to God.”
“I feel closest to God after campfire,” she shares, telling how camp counselors “give you a chance to just lay down under the stars.” The moment inspires Chloe to the point of immense gratitude. “That’s when I really feel thankful for everything God has given me.”
Erik and Francis Swanson
Parents offer their perspective
“We were drawn to Camp Pendola because it has a traditional ‘old camp feel’ with campfires, songs, swimming and archery,” Erik explains, having first seen a sign posted at Chloe’s elementary school. “The cherry on top for us was that it was sponsored by the Catholic Church and we knew they’d be going to Mass, praying before meals and doing things that align with our family values,” he says.
Erik and Francis’ younger daughter, Celia, a seventh grader at St. Francis of Assisi School in Sacramento, attends camp too, but she has not gone as frequently. They sense a fear among parents.
“I’m pretty sure there are lots of parents out there who feel a level of anxiety about sending their 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10-year-old to a camp where they didn’t go, or to be with people they don’t necessarily know,” Erik confides. “I encourage them to do the research and reach out to families who have gone to Camp Pendola.”
Erik and Francis urge parents to ask questions of people in the faith community who have gone to Camp Pendola to quell apprehension. “I’m confident that when they do, any fear will be minimized, and they’ll be getting their children to Pendola,” Erik says.
The Swansons, who are members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, also hope families trust the staff. “There’s a natural ‘letting go’ that occurs and a need to trust that everything will be OK, Francis assures. “Our children get to have all these experiences that they would never have with a parent or at all,” she notes, commending how “together” Camp Pendola is and how it runs like “clockwork.”
The Roderick family
Family camp provides quality time with kids
The Rodericks plan to attend Camp Pendola’s family camp for the third time over the Labor Day weekend in September. Jeremy and Jackie, members of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Sacramento, will bring their seven children.
“The thing that’s really nice is the quality time with the kids,” Jeremy says, pointing out that Pendola is a safe environment with many activities. He relates how everyone can choose what they like to do and enjoy “just being in nature.”
“As a mom, it’s awesome,” Jackie notes, preferring Pendola over other camping quests which require significant effort “to pack and prepare meals, clean up, and then turnaround and start making the next meal.” Jeremy concurs, listing items they gladly leave behind when they head to Pendola. “No tents, no ice chests,” he says with relief, “just the great opportunity to be in nature and enjoy.”
“It’s more of a vacation,” Jackie adds, also applauding how family camp can be an excellent preview for families who may send children off on their own someday for summer camp.
“There are a lot of things in everyday life that pull time away,” Jackie insists, suggesting that Camp Pendola gives back precious family time “to go on a walk, pick berries or sit by the lake with your kids.”
“You can’t help but be in awe and wonder when you’re in God’s presence in nature,” Jeremy says, reflecting on Pendola’s quiet beauty and rich outdoor experience. As a seventh grade teacher at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Carmichael, Jeremy once asked his students to write about whether they would rather visit a theme park or a forest. Possibly surprised, but not so much, Jeremy explains, “most wrote that they preferred the forest.” Jeremy hints of an innate longing -- not just among his students, but everyone – to commune with nature for a spiritual connection with God. He believes Camp Pendola deepens his family’s spirituality.
Will Yuponce and Katella Silva
Camp counselors see and live the Pendola difference
“Pendola is special to me,” says camp counselor Will Yuponce, 21, a junior at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Will attended Pendola after eighth grade. He was hooked and returned for the next seven consecutive summers through his years at Christian Brothers High School and now college. He liked organizing camp activities so he pursued leadership and counselor training programs.
“I wanted to share the experiences I had growing up,” Will shares, eager for people to “come with a mindset of growth” and to “take away a positive, lasting experience.”
“You live ‘in the present’ at Camp Pendola,” adds Katella Silva, 19, who first attended in 2010 with friends from her parish, Good Shepherd in Elk Grove. This summer marks her 11th consecutive Pendola experience and her third year as counselor. A sophomore at Santa Clara University, she views Camp Pendola as a place where campers “disconnect from technology and connect more with God — to be in touch with God.” She gladly leaves behind phones, social media, yesterday’s worries and tomorrow’s trappings in favor of Pendola’s peace.
Both Will and Katella describe how living in nature and experiencing the pure beauty of God’s creation fosters a unique spiritual union with God.
“Regardless of where someone might be on their spiritual journey, or in their faith life, most see nature and realize they’re part of something bigger,” Will says, illuminating the humbling effects of Pendola’s landscape.
“I feel the grandness of nature at Pendola,” Katella agrees, drawing a scenic visual with her words. “I look out at thousands of trees or stare at the stars at night, experiencing firsthand something far bigger.”
Katella ponders on what sets Camp Pendola apart. She reveres its 60-year history and how generations have walked through the same pines, soaked up the sun, and breathed the mountain air. But she isolates Pendola’s impressive longevity and endurance attributing it to excitement, if not sheer enthusiasm, direct from God.
“Camp Pendola allows you to get excited,” she heralds, emphasizing why this is so important. “Often in today’s society it’s not cool to be excited,” she says, with obvious disappointment in modern behaviors that seem to limit expression and excitement for what people love or care about.
“Camp Pendola is the exact opposite,” she assures, exuding untempered joy. “At Pendola you can care deeply about things in nature and God, all in one place; you can be excited about everything in life again.”
LEARN MORE
About all of the summer programs at Camp Pendola and to register for any session at www.pendola.org. For more information or questions, contact Jennifer Campbell, director, at 916-733-0135 or jcampbell@scd.org.
Catholic Herald Issue