About Us

Who We Are

Our Lady of Good Counsel Camp is the residential youth camp for the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, founded in 1947 by Monsignor George W. Cummings.

Boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 15 are invited to take part in our summer program! 

Our Mission
To challenge youth to build character through wholesome outdoor adventures and the Catholic faith. 

Our Vision
To be a community that strives to follow Jesus’ example and is devoted to fostering growth of God-given talents and a deeper appreciation for creation. 

Values
Christ
As Our Lady of Good Counsel instructs us to “Do whatever He tells you,” (John 2:5) we strive to say “yes,” to God’s call and live out a life in the image of Jesus Christ. Through daily Mass and the Eucharist, we are consistently reminded to put the good of others before ourselves. In doing so, we share God’s love with every individual that we come in contact with. From the moment a guest arrives, they are welcomed with open arms and embraced as a beloved child of God. 

Character
To speak of one's “character,” often refers to the positive mental and moral qualities which are distinctive to the individual. It can also refer to specific gifts and talents that we have been blessed with and which make us unique in the eyes of God. Here at Our Lady of Good Counsel Camp, we believe that those special qualities were given to us for a purpose and it is our responsibility to help cultivate those talents in a young person. 

Often referred to as “character-building,” we engage in the development of one’s character in everything that we do at camp. Whether it is when a camper arrives for the first time to settle into the cabin, make new friends and get away from the comfort of their home. Or when a camper experiences their first ropes course challenge, camp-wide game or tries to hit the bullseye of a target. Everything we do is for the betterment of the camper. Everything we do is to help them grow into the person that God intended them to be. Everything we do is to help them reach their full potential. Whether we are a camper, staff or volunteer, we are striving to be the best version of ourselves and use our talents to better serve our God. 

Creation
Immersing ourselves in the outdoors is one of our primary methods for cultivating the growth of an individual. It clears our minds of the anxieties we experience in our daily lives and provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what is truly important. It allows us to give up many of the luxuries we have at home and provides us with opportunities to push our limits through new experiences. It also brings a special closeness to our Creator and teaches us of the unique responsibility we have been entrusted with - to protect the natural world around us. It even inspires our own creativity and encourages us to develop programs that are unique and engaging for every individual. 

Community
Our Lady of Good Counsel Camp is a community of people who strive to  journey along the same path towards our Creator. We realize the journey is long and we cannot reach the destination alone. When we fall, as we all do, we are there to help each other up. Our program invites each individual to play an active role in the community and support all those around them. In doing so, we form friendships that last a lifetime and expand our community beyond the physical boundaries of our property.