Summer Camps 2026!

Summer Camps 2026!

by | Mar 10, 2026 | Kids, Parish Life

Looking for an awesome summer adventure for your child(ren)? You’ve landed in the right spot – welcome to your one-stop guide to all the fantastic summer camps happening at Prince of Peace Catholic Church & School!

  • Fr Smith invites all young men who have received their First Holy Communion to Altar Server Practice Camp on 1-4 June from 10a-12p. This free camp is for new servers in the English Mass. To register, call the parish office at 864.268.4352.
  • Summer Art Camp with Marilyn Alber offers a creative kickoff to summer for students entering 1st-8th grades! Choose from two 1-week sessions: a) 1-5 June, or b) 15-19 June. Grades 1st-3rd meet 10a-12p, and grades 4th-8th meet 1p-3p, Monday through Friday. This 2-hour daily camp includes group demonstrations and individual instruction with a variety of media like pencil, charcoal, pastels, watercolors, and acrylics. Fee is $196 per session (materials provided), limited to 10 students per session. Register by 18 May with payment (check to POPCS, Attn: Ms. Alber); no refunds after 22 May. Held in the Walsingham Building Art Room. See the flyer + registration form. Questions? Call Marilyn Alber at (864) 631.5236 or email mmalber@att.net.
  • Our annual Summer Choral Theatre for rising 3rd – 8th graders will be held Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12 with a performance on Saturday, June 13. This half-day camp runs 9.30a-12.30p, and includes singing, acting, and basic choreography, as well as snacks and games. This year’s show will be Esther, a comedic retelling of the Book of Esther. To register, please complete the form (also available in the parish and school offices) and return it to the parish office with payment. Program fee is $70 per child, $190 family maximum. Deadline for registration is 15 May.
  • Prince of Peace VBS returns 22-26 June with CATChat’s Cathletics! Training to Be Champions for Christ—a high-energy week helping children grow in faith, friendship, and joy. The day program (entering Grades 1–6) meets Mon–Thurs 8.15a–12.30p and Fri 8.15a–1.30p, featuring a pizza lunch and our much-loved Water Day. Daily Mass at 11a anchors the week in prayer. A youth evening program (entering Grades 7–12) runs Sun–Thurs (21-25 June), 6–7.30p.
    • Registration: Adult volunteer families may register now–21 Feb at a discounted rate (adult volunteers are needed!). Childcare and K4/K5 are offered first to volunteer families, then siblings (K4/K5 capped at 15). Parish registration opens 22 Feb by email request only to Maria Barontini.
    • Fees: Day program $50/child ($125 family max; 20 per grade). Youth evening program $30/student. Teen volunteers may register now—service hours available for school or Confirmation (Class of 2027).
  • Dribble for Destiny Summer Basketball Camp is 7-9 July from 9a-12p for ages 8-13 boys and girls. Fees include free t-shirt and ball; 2 ball dribbling, passing, shooting, ball handling, video, daily contests, and daily devotions. THIS IS A 3 DAY CAMP. Registration form. Contact 864.525.1433 or info@dribble4destiny.org

  • Archery Camp is set for 13-17 July from 9a-11.30a each day. Camp is open to all rising 4th–9th graders. Cost: $125 per child, with each additional child at $105. To register, contact Coach Moreau by email stop by the front office to pick up a form, return this form completed!

Pilgrimage to Turkey with Canon Christopher Smith

Pilgrimage to Turkey with Canon Christopher Smith

by | Feb 4, 2026 | Parish Life

Walk Where the Early Church Walked: A Parish Pilgrimage to Turkey with Our Pastor

Have you ever read the Acts of the Apostles or prayed the Nicene Creed and wondered what it would be like to stand in the very places where the early Church took root?

In June 2027, our pastor, Canon Christopher Smith, will lead a pilgrimage to Turkey, inviting us to step into the landscape of Scripture, councils, martyrs, and saints. This is more than a tour—it’s a prayerful journey designed to deepen faith, friendship, and understanding of who we are as Catholics.

Why Turkey?

Turkey is home to some of the most important sites in Christian history. On this pilgrimage, parishioners will visit:

  • Ephesus, where St. Paul preached and where tradition holds the Blessed Virgin Mary spent her final years

  • The House of the Virgin Mary, a place of quiet prayer and profound devotion

  • Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed—professed at Mass every Sunday—was first proclaimed

  • Istanbul (ancient Constantinople), a crossroads of Christianity, culture, and history

These are not just names on a page. They are places where the faith was lived, defended, and handed on—often at great cost.

A Pilgrimage, Not a Vacation

What sets this journey apart is its spiritual focus. Daily Mass, prayer, Scripture reflection, and thoughtful teaching will be woven throughout the trip. Canon Smith’s pastoral leadership and love for Church history will help bring each site to life, connecting what we see to what we believe.

You’ll travel alongside fellow parishioners, sharing meals, prayer, conversation, and unforgettable moments—forming bonds that often last long after the pilgrimage ends.

Who Is This For?

This pilgrimage is ideal for:

  • Parishioners longing to go deeper in their faith

  • Those curious about early Christianity and Church history

  • Anyone seeking a meaningful, guided spiritual journey rather than a rushed sightseeing trip

No advanced knowledge is required—just an open heart and a willingness to walk where generations of Christians have gone before us.

Learn More & Take the Next Step

Details about the itinerary, dates, pricing, and registration are available through St. Charles Pilgrimages. If you’ve ever felt the nudge to make a pilgrimage, this may be that invitation—shared with your pastor and your parish family.

👉 Learn more and read the full pilgrimage details here:
St. Charles Pilgrimages – Canon Christopher Smith Pilgrimage to Turkey