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Monday, March 18, 2024
The Observer

ND Vision prepares for another summer

This summer will mark the fourth year for ND Vision - a unique, weeklong summer camp for high school students that focuses on vocations. ND Vision is a program of the Notre Dame Institute for Church Life and is directed by Lenny DeLorenzo. This year, the department has planned for each of the four weeklong sessions to be attended by 200-300 students. Created in 1994 by Notre Dame graduate Steve Camilleri and initially funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc., the program attracts students from around the nation. Camilleri currently serves as executive director for the South Bend Center for the Homeless.Student director of high school recruitment Andrew Hoyt said the primary objective of ND Vision is "to explore in a catechetical way the concept of vocations."Hoyt and his colleague Rachel Wack, minister of post-counselor formation, agreed that the focus within the program on vocations extends far beyond that of religious vocations."It's about students asking themselves 'What does God want me to do with my life, and who does He want me to be?'" Hoyt said. Activities while on campus include small and large discussion groups and sessions led by professional speakers and music ministers including Notre Dame alumna Danielle Rose. Approximately 70 undergraduate students staff the camp. To serve as a counselor, students apply in the fall and, if accepted, enroll in a course during the spring semester, which focuses on vocations and surrounding topics and also on preparing to work with high school students in the summer. Hoyt and Wack agreed that the program has definitely been a success. "Now kids understand what the word 'vocation' means and are talking about it more," Hoyt said.