Inviting young people to entrust their lives to Christ

By Peggy Sue Mutchler
Ministry Events Program Coordinator

To the Heights! Youth from across our area will again gather in the Black Hills this summer for the Diocese of Rapid City’s Totus Tuus camps, an opportunity for middle school and high school students to deepen their faith while enjoying friendship, prayer, and outdoor adventure.

“Totus Tuus,” a Latin phrase meaning “Totally Yours,” reflects the heart of the program: inviting young people to entrust their lives more fully to Christ and grow in their relationship with him. Hosted at Terra Sancta Retreat Center in Rapid City, the overnight camps provide a unique setting where youth can step away from the distractions of daily life and encounter the Lord through prayer, community, and recreation.

This year’s camp schedule focuses on Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and the Beatitudes. Love for God was so central to this saint’s life that his joy captivated all of those around him, especially those he served. Camp will balance spiritual formation with the joyful energy that has made Totus Tuus a summer tradition in the diocese, just like Saint Pier balanced his love for life with his love for God. Each day includes the celebration of Mass as well as opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and communal prayer through the Liturgy of the Hours. Campers also participate in talks, testimonies, and small group discussions that encourage them to grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith and discern their vocation.

In addition to prayer and formation, the camp offers a variety of recreational activities in the scenic Black Hills. Outdoor experiences such as hiking, swimming, and group games build friendships and foster a spirit of joyful Catholic community.

A distinctive aspect of Totus Tuus Camps in the Diocese of Rapid City is the presence of consecrated religious, seminarians, and priests who spend time with the campers throughout the week. Their witness provides young people with opportunities to ask questions, hear personal testimonies of faith, and see firsthand the joy of lives dedicated to the service of God and to his Church.

The 2026 schedule includes camps for both boys and girls as well as leadership opportunities for older high school students. Girls’ Leadership Camp will be held June 8–12 for students entering grades 10–12 in the fall, followed by Girls’ Camp June 9–12 for those entering grades 7–9. Boys’ Leadership Camp will take place July 12–17 and includes an additional camping experience at Sheridan Lake for high school participants, followed by Boys’ Camp July 14–17 for middle school campers.