The pine trees of North Carolina’s Sandhills echoed with laughter and song during the annual Catholic Scout Camporee on March 8-10, 2024.
Scouts, Scout leaders and parents from across the Diocese of Raleigh gathered at Camp Bowers in White Oak, NC, for a weekend of fun and fellowship.
This year’s theme was “Light of World,” taken from the Gospel for the 4th Sunday of Lent. And though some of the 180 registered participants stayed home due to a very rainy forecast, the sun did break through. As did the smiles on the faces of the many youth in attendance.
After overnight camping for some, Camporee attendees gathered for morning prayer on Saturday and then experienced an animated presentation from Rob Lane, a seminarian for the Diocese of Raleigh. Rob reflected on how God gradually allowed him to see and hear his calling to be a priest.
Scouts then participated in activities throughout the day, such as nature education, crafts, fire building and shotgun and BB-gun shooting sports.
Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama celebrated Mass for the Camporee. At the end of Mass, the bishop presented Religious Emblems to three Cub Scouts and the Bronze Pelican Award to Scouter James Davisson for his contributions to promoting Catholic Scouting in the diocese. Bishop Luis then enjoyed dinner with the gathered Scouts and Scouters.
Support from the Knights of Columbus
The Catholic Committee on Scouting organizes the Camporee and other activities and supports Religious Emblems across the Diocese of Raleigh. The committee and the Camporee were graciously supported by the following Knights of Columbus Councils, who donated their time (to cook both lunch and dinner for attendees) and financial resources to make the 2024 Camporee a great success:
- Msgr. Michael A. Carey Council #6650
- Father H. Charles Mulholland Council #7186
- Sons of Mother Seton Council #9847
- Paul J. Trageser Council #10910
Upcoming events
The next event sponsored by the Catholic Committee on Scouting will be the annual Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Apex. All Scouts, Scouters and friends and supporters of Scouting are welcome to attend. Lunch will be provided after Mass.
And please mark your calendars for the 2025 Camporee, March 7-9 at Camp Bowers.
For more information on Catholic Scouting in the Diocese of Raleigh and to get involved in the Catholic Committee on Scouting, visit scouting.dioceseofraleigh.org.
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