The California Chinese Catholic Living Camp (CACCLC) brings together young adults in the Chinese Catholic community to grow and deepen their relationship with God.
CACCLC draws in roughly 100 young adults each year from NorCal, SoCal, and beyond, and it continues to grow each year. It takes place over Labor Day weekend, and it’s packed with activities like talks from a spiritual director, small group sharing, games, praise and worship, adoration, and workshops. Plus, bonding with new friends, late nights eating instant ramen, and playing lots of board games. Notably, CACCLC is called a camp, rather than retreat, because it incorporates more interactive and social activities, in addition to traditional retreat activities like prayer, talks, and worship.
CACCLC encourages and invites its young adults to stay connected with the Church, be witnesses to the Gospel, be active in discerning and answering God’s call, and know, love, and serve God with an authentic faith.
“If they’re wondering about their faith or place as a Chinese Catholic, they’re not alone. There’s a bigger community out there together. Through the living camp, we can grow together in our faith,” says Nathan Lau, who has attended since 2003.
CACCLC always brings back a mix of new faces and returning campers as well. Teresa Lee, who has attended since 2005, says that even though every year she says it will be her last year, there’s always something that triggers her to go back.
“I want to see my friends from different parts of California,” Teresa said. “It’s a break away from normal communities. I can spend some time alone to myself. It’s a different environment. It’s just the outdoors, the wilderness, that really draws you to God.”
She adds that it has made her think about how great our faith is. “It makes you think a lot about your relationship with God and how you bring that relationship to people around you,” Teresa said. “Just like Jesus on the mount, I remember the transfiguration, the disciples want to stay up there in tents. He says you have to bring that back to your daily life. I always get a spiritual high after the camp.”
Nicholas Lau, who has attended since 2003 says that initially, he kept going back to meet up with friends and for that sense of community. But now, he also goes back to see that the camp continues to touch people’s lives.
“People are coming back to God, coming back to the communities,” Nicholas said. “Maybe they’ve gone away for some time. That’s why I keep coming back. I’m not that active anymore but I also like to see who are the potential future leaders out there. Maybe they don’t know it but I keep an eye out to see who might be inspired, who might be called by God to fall deeply in love with the camp themselves and want this for others as well.”