Summer Programs

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Our Summer Programs have faith, service and fun at their core.

These three programs are Summer Outreach Week (SOW), and Capuchin Appalachian Mission (CAM) and CLASP (Catholic Literature Arts Summer Program). The purpose of these programs is to continue the mission that God gave to Saint Francis of Assisi, “go forth and rebuild my Church."

SUMMER OUTREACH WEEK (SOW)

“I found a sense of purpose in my life during Summer Outreach Week (SOW) and fell in love with my faith.” – Kaitlyn

Summer Outreach Week (SOW) is a fantastic opportunity for teens (rising 9th-graders) through adults to work in the service of others while learning and maturing in faith. Days are spent working at various ministry sites serving others in the Hudson Valley area.  Activities may include manual labor, building beds for children in need, visiting the elderly in nursing homes or the sick at hospice centers, or working with children at our popular Vacation Bible School. After the day’s work, participants reflect and discuss the day’s experiences and ways in which they discovered the presence of God. This program is consistently one of the most popular at CFM and often has a waiting list.

Participant, Teresa Nadareski, summarizes her experience: “As I bowed my head to receive my Tau cross and to be commissioned for service that Sunday evening, I knew that the upcoming week was going to be awesome. We were able to serve in many different ways- by helping the homeless at Newburgh Ministries, visiting those living with end-stage cancer at Rosary Hill, bringing joy to the seniors at Cortland Manor, helping out at the Mustard Seed with the children of migrant workers, and teaching and playing at the three different bible schools or working with Habitat For Humanity. Each of us learned how to use our faith to bring Christ to the people we served.”

Summer SOW 2025: Online Registration

CAPUCHIN APPALACHIAN MISSION (CAM)

St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua showed us a simple, powerful way to serve God by helping those in need. This is a deep-seated charism among all  Capuchin Franciscans. In this spirit and tradition, our Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries brings hope and material aid to  underserved families in both rural Kentucky where the need is most dire, and here in our own backyard.

Donors and mission participants help alleviate suffering and improve the lives of these brothers and sisters living in extreme hardship. Those participating in this mission of service experience often find that it becomes the impetus to make service to the needy an integral part of their lives: and they continue to transform our world.

Since our first mission in 1991, CFM has joyfully served the people of Harlan, Kentucky through the Capuchin Appalachian Mission (CAM). Join us as a Companion in Service through your prayers and financial support or as a participant on the Mission. Without your support, this Mission and the good work of these outreach programs would not be possible. During the course of 29 mission trips, CAM has improved lives through acts of  both Corporal (feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick) and Spiritual (counseling, comforting the sorrowful, praying for the living and the dead) Works of Mercy. This work is at the very core of the CAM mission.

Pope Francis reminded the Jubilee Audience in January 2016 of Pope Saint John Paul II’s words, “…the mercy we receive from the Father is not given solely for our benefit, but for the good of all, by transforming us into instruments, missionaries of mercy. By being such missionaries, we come to experience more deeply the gift of mercy in our own lives.”These words come to life when you learn the impact these outreach programs have on the participants:

“The Capuchin Appalachian Mission really helped me grow … I am inspired to bring the Mission and CFM home with me. I really want this mission to last throughout the year and not just for 9 days in July. This was only the beginning.” – Elizabeth

“The Appalachian Mission is a constant reminder of what it means to be a child of God; I feel graced to have been able to experience it. The call to serve and the answer thereto feels much stronger in my life because of it.” – Sean

We invite you to join us, to enter into mercy and become a part of the wonderful community of CFM by making a donation. As we count down to our departure date for the Appalachian Mission, we urgently need to secure resources to fund this and our other outreach programs. Your altruistic donation can move mountains as high as the Appalachians themselves. Just $50.00 will help our Outreach Ministry provide for two families, $100 will buy plywood to make dearly needed repairs to families’ homes, and $750 will give a family a roof that doesn’t leak – proudly constructed and installed by our intrepid missionaries.

Your selfless contribution makes it possible for young people to grow in their love for the Church through service. Please consider joining us for CAM and share His word and love with those who need it most.

Appalachian Mission 2025: Online Registration

CATHOLIC LITERATURE ARTS SUMMER PROGRAM (CLASP)

“CLASP was an extremely rewarding experience. I loved getting to know each of the claspers and to be a part of a very special ministry. All the workshops (dance/movement, acting, and songwriting) were well done; very competent and engaging. I got to meet new people, drew closer to God and learned more about how I am connected with God and others. I was truly amazed at how awesome the production was. In less than a week everyone was getting along and working so well together!”

“I love being part of a beautiful catholic community such as CLASP! I will cherish the memories!”

  • Catholic Literature Arts Summer Program (CLASP) Actors & playwrights including St. Genesius & St. John Paul II inspire the spirit of CLASP. This extraordinary opportunity for teenage saints-in-the-making to: Meet new friends
  • Share your gifts and talents
  • Pray as a community in Eucharist and Adoration
  • Debut a brand new original musical! 

CLASP is for rising 9th graders thru 12 graders.

Jr. CLASP ages 5+ can join us for half day.

CLASP 2025: Online Registration

Jr. CLASP 2025: Online Registration to Come

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS