Camp Three Holy Youths (Camp THY) was established by St. Nicholas Church in 1968 and hosted at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Camp in Jackson, continuing until the early 2000s. Though the camp took a break during that period, its spirit remained alive.
In 2012, Fr. George Baalbaki was appointed pastor of the St. Nicholas community and recognized the need to revive the Church’s summer camp program. By 2013, the camp was reignited with a renewed passion, initially as a family camp.
In 2015, as interest grew, the program evolved into a summer camp for the youth of St. Nicholas and an Orthodox camp serving the greater Bay Area. What began in 2013 with just 40 attendees—families and children combined—has since expanded to over 100 campers each summer, ranging in age from 8 to 17, supported by more than 30 staff members, including kitchen staff, counselors, clergy, and volunteers.
In 2023, the needs of Camp THY surpassed the capacity of its primary location. Following the conclusion of the summer camp, a search began for a new site that would support growth, expand activities, and provide the necessary foundation for the camp’s continued development.
A new location was secured, and Camp THY transitioned from its long-standing home in Jackson to the greater Santa Cruz area. With change comes new opportunities, and as the needs of our campers continue to evolve, we remain committed to supporting them every step of the way.
Camp Goal:
Camp Three Holy Youths strives to integrate all aspects of daily life with a Christian foundation, fostering worship, fellowship, and a deepening faith in Jesus Christ.
Measuring Our Goal:
We assess our success in achieving these goals through active demonstration and participation in all aspects of camp life. This includes engagement in liturgical services, lesson plans, and activities, as well as fostering meaningful relationships and personal growth in daily interactions.
Our mission extends beyond camp, as true success is reflected in the continued spiritual development of our campers. This is seen through regular attendance at church services, involvement in parish life, and active participation in the broader Orthodox community.
Liturgical Life at Camp THY
The Camp Three Holy Youths Chapel at Camp THY is more than just a physical structure—it embodies our lives as Christians. Every aspect of our experience as Orthodox Christians and Disciples of Christ is centered around our life in the chapel, guiding us in faith and practice.
The structure of our camp reflects the foundation upon which we should build our lives as Orthodox Christians.
We begin and end each day with prayer, offering our first and last thoughts to God. We express gratitude for His blessings, including the nourishment He provides. We pray for our brothers and sisters, our families, our loved ones, and those in need.
The Christian life we live at Camp THY is the Christian life we should all strive to uphold beyond camp.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” — Matthew 18:20
Orthros
Orthros is celebrated daily as the morning service, except on days when the Divine Liturgy is held, in which case only the Great Doxology is observed.
As the first service of the day, Orthros sets the rhythm of our week, offering praise to God, His creation, and the Psalms and Troparia of the day. It is a time of spiritual renewal, preparing our hearts and minds for the day ahead.
Divine Liturgy
In the Divine Liturgy, we are united in worship with the Kingdom of God, the departed saints, and the angels. During this sacred service, the faithful partake in the Body (Bread) and Blood (Wine) of Christ, becoming one with God, one another, and the Church—the Body of Christ. This Holy Mystery, known as the Eucharist, is the central act of our faith, nourishing our souls and deepening our communion with God.
Vespers
Vespers is celebrated each evening as part of our weekly cycle, offering prayers of thanksgiving and reflection at the close of the day. This service honors the Creation of the world, God’s greatness, and the Psalms and Troparia of the day.
On the night before the Divine Liturgy, Great Vespers is observed in place of regular Vespers, providing a more solemn and reflective service. Confession is also offered, allowing the faithful to prepare spiritually for the Eucharist.
Other Various Services & Prayers
We regularly participate in other prayers & services throughout the day. On a regular day at Camp THY, we pray before meals, and we give thanks to God for the meals he provided us. We pray during the mornings and throughout the evenings.
We also celebrate various services such as Akathists, Complines, & one of our camper’s favorites- Blessings of the Waters.
Camp Three Holy Youths 