Encounter is an annual Catholic service camp held at the  University of Maryland. This will be our 4th year participating, and those who have attended in the past have had wonderful and transforming experiences there. Scroll down to read their stories.

What happens at "Encounter"?
Days are spent serving at various [safe] sites in the DC Metro area with a team of peers and leaders (i.e. children's or women's centers, elderly homes, soup kitchens, lobbying for Catholic issues, etc.) Evenings are spent enjoying programming as a large group that includes a speaker, awesome live music, games, small group discussion, and MORE. Meals are in the dining halls at UMD and we stay in the UMD dorms!

From the Encounter the Gospel of Life Website:

       "This is not your typical service camp. Our focus is on “Direct-Relational” ministry opportunities, where you will actually work with and get to know the people you serve. We believe that we will be served by the individuals that we came to serve, as we encounter Christ in his ‘distressing disguise’.
      Our sites will include places like homeless shelters, soup kitchens, children’s day camps, senior and special care settings and possibly a few legislative and advocacy sites. You will get to know the people who actually work at these places everyday. If you ever want to go to visit or volunteer in the future, it would be easy to.
        We stay at University of Maryland, College Park. Each day, after breakfast and a morning reflection, we will be out at service sites in Washington, D.C. assisting people in need. After dinner, we will have fantastic speakers along with fun, music, sharing, laughter, drama, challenging sessions, prayer and learning with new friends from all over our area and around the country."

Support our Mission
Donations are accepted year round to subsidize the cost of the trip for our teen and adult participants. Contact Cathy McTighe.

​ 201 Recap  - Picture, Video, & Witnesses!