Camp Maccabee | Diocese of Jefferson City

Session 1: July 13-18, 2025

Session 2: July 20-25, 2025

Click here to register for camp maccabee

JOIN CAMP MACABEE STAFF

This summer, you can be a part of forming others, getting outside, and growing in virtue through adventure, discipleship, community and prayer. We have volunteer and paid opportunities explained below! Calling young adult men and adult men for camp staff positions!

Application links are below

Paid Opportunities

Summer Missionary Application

Paid Summer Camp Missionary includes 1.5 weeks training and over 4 weeks of camp. May 27-June 24, July 10-27. Misisonaries make minimum wage plus housing and most meals are provided.

Ideal candidate is 18-23 years of age, is living out the Catholic faith and desires to share the love of Christ with others.

Volunteer Opportunities

Adult Summer Camp Volunteer Application

Adult Volunteers will most especially assist with behind the scenes details for high school camps. We will need assistance in meal prep, cleanup, making sure activties are setup and taken down and assist with transportation (vehicles provided). The adult volunteers are also essential in accompanying both youth and the young adult staff.

There is no cost to volunteers and your child can receive a scholarship to one of the camps for volunteering.
Adult volunteers ideally will arrive early to camp but sometimes is not possible because of transporting campers.
Adult Camp volunteers are asked to participate in one virtual meeting before camp and should expect a daily meeting with the camp directors to check in and communicate any necessary adjustments.

Youth Office Contact

Director of Youth Ministry
Maureen Quinn
573-635-9127, ext. 233

Assistant Director of Catechetical Formation
Mary Madelyn Mertes
573-635-9127, ext. 228

Administrative Assistant
Maddie Gramlich
573-635-9127, ext. 237

Moderator of Youth and
Young Adult Ministry
Fr. Joseph Luzindana
660-665-2466

Alphonse J. Schwartze
Memorial Catholic Center
2207 West Main St
Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914

What is Camp Maccabee?

Camp Maccabee was founded in 2009 with the purpose of forming bold, Catholic, masculine leaders. Since then, the camp has evolved into a much-anticipated summer event for many young Catholics across the Diocese of Jefferson City.

Campers experience daily adventures, ranging from ropes courses to rafting trips, enrichment with the sacraments, and thought-provoking reflections. Year after year, young men have left the camp with great friendships, and a renewed sense of what it means to be an authentically Catholic man.

Camp Maccabee was named for the Maccabeus clan, the Old Testament family who led a revolt against the Greek Seleucid Empire seeking to destroy the Jewish faith and culture. Like the Maccabeus family, Camp Macabee seeks to build strong men who will courageously fight for what is right, and stand as virtuous Catholic men.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Camp Maccabee for?

What kinds of activities will campers do?

Because camp is being offered in 2 different locations this summer, activties will vary depending on the area.

Get Adventurous!

What is a summer camp without some kind of adventure? At Camp Maccabee, you will experience adventure, challenge, and competition among God’s creation with your Catholic brothers. Be prepared to have fun while getting muddy, soaked, and tired. Camp adventures are

Challenging
Nature-based
Muddy
Fun!

Watch The Video!

Learn and practice your faith

While experiencing a thrilling adventure you will learn to be an authentically and passionately Catholic man. It is the goal of Camp Maccabee to help you discover the Catholic values that will help you to grow closer to God and become a source of change in the world. Faith is explored through these aspects:

Experience Brotherhood

It takes a band of Catholic brothers to effect change in the world. At Camp Maccabee, you will build friendships that will last a lifetime. You will find Catholic brothers who can hold you accountable and help you to become the Catholic man God created you to be. You can plan on experiencing:

Community
Accountability
Fraternity
Fellowship

Bold Leadership

Through challenge and adversity, you will become a leader. Everyone has the ability to be a leader in some capacity. At Camp Maccabee, you will learn the skills to become a servant leader who can fight for good in the world. Campers commit to:

Overcoming challenges
Servant leadership
Striving for greatness

Become part of a culture that can make a change for good in the world.

Watch The Video!

When is Camp Maccabee in summer 2025?

This year, Camp Maccabee will be offering 2 weeks of camp, one in the northern side of the diocese and another in the southern side of our diocese.

Session 1: July 13-18, 2025 (southern location-McGrath Farm, Camdenton)
Session 2: July 20-25, 2025 (northern location-Camp Tolton Lodge and Retreat Center, Shelbina)

Drop off will be from 3 - 4 pm on the 1st day of camp.

Early drop off will not be permitted.

Pick up will be at 3pm on the last day of camp, following the closing mass at 2pm.

Families are welcome at the closing mass.

Where is Camp Maccabee?

Camp Maccabee Session 1: McGrath Farm (south location)

Address: 344 Holly Oaks Lane in Camdenton MO 65020

Quadrants: 37°56'45.1"N 92°40'53.0"W

Directions:

Going South on 54: Take exit on right to merge ont MO-5S/MO-7 toward Lebanon, go about 2.2 miles and take the MO-7/Business Rt. 5 exit to Richland/Camdenton, continue on MO-7 for about 1 mile and then turn left onto MO-7 South and go another mile, Turn right onto High Point Road (which is gravel). You will go another 2.5 miles and Holly Oaks Lane will be on the right. Holly Oaks Lane is the driveway to the McGrath Farm and you will go up the large hill to the property.
Going West on I-44: Take exit 135 toward Sleeper, turn right onto state Hwy F/US Rt 66. Stay on Hwy F for about 4.5 miles, F merges into Hwy BB and continue on BB for another 2.5 miles, Turn right onto MO-5 N and go another almost 9 miles. Turn right onto Mount Horeb Road, turn left onto Old South 5, Turn right onto State Hwy P (all pretty quick turns) and then stay on Hwy P for about 2.3 miles. Turn left onto High Point Road and go about 1.5 miles. Holly Oaks Lane will be on the left. Holly Oaks Lane is the driveway to the McGrath Farm and you will go up the large hill to the property.

Camp Maccabee Session 2 Location: Camp Tolton Lodge and Retreat Center (north location)

Address: 3834 Shelby 322, Shelbina, MO 63468

Quadrants: 39°45'06.2"N 92°07'00.9"W (If using Apple Maps, you must use the quadrants, not street address.)

Directions:

Going West on 36: Turn Left onto State Hwy N turn Right on County Road 322 (3^rd Road on the right) and go about 1.5 miles. Camp Tolton Lodge will be on the left.
Going East on 36: Take exit for State Hwy FF and take a Right, go about 2.5 miles and Turn left onto Co Road 322 which is a dead end, County Road 322 stays to the right to avoid driveways and Camp Tolton Lodge will be about 2 miles down the road on the right.

How much does Camp Maccabee cost?

Will there be transportation to camp?

Can I make a rooming request?

There will not be an opportunity to make rooming requests. The sites for Camp Maccabee all house boys with large numbers in one room. We purposely asign small groups based off interests, age and other factors. Our desire is for the young men from throughout the diocese to grow together as brothers in Christ. Because this camp is focused on smaller numbers, this is possible and a true brotherhood is established. This has proven to be successful and we want to help the brotherhood continue to grow.

If your child comes with a group of friends they will have plenty of time together and will not feel seperated from one another but instead will have opportunity to grow their circle. Please encourage your child to include others and be open to making new friends.

Click Here to Register for Camp Maccabee

Resources for Campers

Download Medical Form

Click to download the medical form for camp. This form MUST be brought with camper and turned in upon arrival to camp.

Download Packing List

Click here to access packing list for Camp Maccabee 2025.

Praesis ut prosis ne ut imperes

Lead in order to serve, not in order to rule