Igniting Hearts and Homes: A Glimpse into Family Camp 2026

by Resti Ma. M. Bautista

Life moves fast. Between work deadlines, school projects, and the daily digital noise, finding genuine moments to pause and connect as a family can feel nearly impossible. That was precisely the heart behind our Family Camp 2026: Let Your Light Shine!, held on October 10–11, 2026. This weekend retreat offered parents, teens, and kids a chance to step away from the routine and rediscover what matters most.

Set against the lush, green backdrop of Mount Purro Nature Reserve, the camp invited families to trade concrete for creation. Surrounded by fresh air and stillness, participants immediately felt the shift from a frantic pace to a peaceful rhythm.

The weekend was anchored by Matthew 5:16: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Rooted in Verbum Dei spirituality— which emphasizes that God is a loving Father who speaks to us personally through Scripture and the beauty of nature—the camp avoided a rigid, over-packed itinerary. Instead, it wove intentional times of prayer and reflection on the Word into the camp experience, introducing families to the BEAM dynamic: learning to Be still and hear, Embrace the message, Act in love, and Multiply the joy.

Families put this into practice through interactive experiences like a scenic river walk, high-energy camp games, and an atmospheric bonfire night complete with board games and s'mores. Alongside the fun, parallel age-specific sessions gave everyone a safe space to grow: parents reflected on intentional listening, teens tackled invisible struggles and their "True Colors," and younger kids learned how to express their emotions with kindness.

On Sunday morning, parents and teens ventured out on a guided forest hike, stepping into the quiet strength of the woods for moments of reflection on endurance and God’s guidance, while families with younger children enjoyed the swimming pool and other camp amenities.  

As the weekend concluded, the fruits of the encounter were beautifully captured in the shared reflections of each family. They came away “tired but refreshed,” deeply “bonded,” and anchored in the rhythm of “Life-Food-Light.” Looking toward their return home, their unified cry was to “Shine Jesus!” realizing that they are “BLEST: Be still, Listen, Enlightened, Strong Together!” Above all, they left carrying a renewed overflow of “Joy and Love!” Lighting their family prayer candles, they left equipped with a renewed spark to let their faith shine brightly in their everyday lives.