“I like everything at camp.  I've learned to sail, ski, kneeboard, shoot a gun, and a bow.  I've learned how to make a pinch pot.  I love it here at camp, but the fun hasn't even begun.”
Steven Brailsford, Stingray

What’s So Great About Camp Stanislaus?
According to Mr. Mike Reso, former Camp Director, “Camp Stanislaus is a very special place where the staff helps kids feel good about themselves.  They encourage you to try new things, and they teach you new skills.  Everyone is listened to and respected.  Camp is like a slumber party that does not end the next day.  Our staff keeps the fun going for six weeks.  Whether you are playing at the waterfront, skiing, sailing, or simply enjoying a good meal with your new friends, your summer will be very active with fun things to do.  There's just no place like camp because Camp Stanislaus is a special place built just for kids.”

“We went to the mudslide.  It was pretty cool and I had a lot of fun.”
Chris Tighe, Dolphins

New Friendships
“Not only do campers make lots of new friends, but they learn how to be a good friend as well.  The counselors help the campers to make new friends, and there are plenty of kids who come to camp without knowing anyone.  You'll be comfortable whether you know someone or not.  You will quickly be playing with other campers your age at one of the many camp activities.  Often times, our campers remain close friends from year to year and keep in touch during the school year,”  according to Mr. Chris Arcement, Assistant Camp Director.

Will I Fit In At Camp?
Counselors make sure that everyone gets along with each other.  You do not have to be best friends with everyone, but you'll find people who share your same interests.  These are the people who will be your good friends.  At camp, you learn to respect people's differences and accept them for who they are. Not everyone is good at everything, but everyone is good at something.  At Camp Stanislaus, our well-trained, caring staff will help you learn new skills and develop old ones.  Our staff is here to encourage you to succeed at your level.  This helps everyone fit in since you are never measured against anyone else's abilities.  You will be comfortable at Camp Stanislaus.

How Are The Campers Divided Into Groups?
Boys from the ages of eight to fifteen are eligible to attend Camp Stanislaus.  The campers are divided into four main groups according to age.  These groups are the “Shrimps,” “Stingrays,” “Dolphins” and “Sharks,” and a Head Counselor supervises each group. There are 144 resident campers and 48 day campers for each session.

What If I Have A Problem?
There are lots of people at camp to help you take care of whatever problems you may have.  For example, there is a nurse if you do not feel well and need to rest in the Camp Health Center until you feel better.  You can also count on the grown-ups at camp to help you with any problem you may have. Mr. Mike Reso (the Camp Director) and Brother Lee are especially available at any time to help.  You will also meet many others at camp who can assist you.

Dorm Life
Camp Stanislaus uses Aurelian Hall, the dorm for the resident students at St. Stanislaus College Prep.  The semi-private rooms are air-conditioned, and each has its own private bath facilities.  On occasion, campers may rinse off in the gym showers to remove mud or sand carried with them from an activity, but showers are taken in the dorm.  Three campers in the same age group share a room, and bed linens are supplied.  Campers are under counselor supervision at all times.

Why Shouldn't I Just Stay Home All Summer?
You might think, "It will be more fun to just stay home." WRONG!  Camp Stanislaus is nonstop fun!  There is such a variety of activities that you never get bored. Plus, your new friends are always around.  It's not like school at all even though there is a schedule to follow. You are doing fun things with fun people!

Activities
Camp Stanislaus effectively combines recreational and learning activities during its six-week operation.  Activities include:

• sailing water-skiing archery rifles
• hobbies kayaks canoes baseball
• dances swimming gym tennis
• basketball pool go-carts art
• weightlifting volleyball marine science math
• bonfires fishing movie soccer
• barbecues skit nights football reading
• karaoke shows beach activities digital photography 

Special Trips & Activities
Campers also enjoy weekly “Mystery Trips” on Sunday afternoons.  Some of these trips include: Global Wildlife, skate parks, Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium and IMAX theater, the Stennis Space Center, USS Alabama Battleship, river hikes, bowling and movies. There are also special trips to Ship Island, New Orleans Six Flags, horseback riding, canoe excursions, and offshore fishing.  A large magic show is another highlight for our campers with more than 15 magicians entertaining them. Some activities require attendance at the longer sessions and are assigned to specific groups.  The camp dances are scheduled during each three week session for campers in the two older groups. Horseback riding is a long day trip scheduled as a special activity for campers attending camp for three weeks or longer. Day campers do not participate in offshore fishing.

In order to recognize campers for their success in the various core activities and to inspire them to work to higher skill levels, Camp Stanislaus maintains a certification level at each of our core activities.  Campers’ abilities will be verified before moving to the next level of certification.  Campers will receive a certificate from Camp Stanislaus at the awards ceremony held at the end of each three week session for any activity in which they completed a certification level.

“Last week at camp, we went to Ship Island and Six Flags as well.  We rode the roller coasters, we also went skiing, and we had a bonfire on the beach.”
Josh Beaubouef and Jonathan Gerache

Day Campers' Schedule
Campers from the local community are invited to participate in the activities of Camp Stanislaus. Day campers arrive on campus by 7:45AM and are picked up at 6:15PM.  Breakfast and lunch are provided, and campers enjoy the morning and afternoon activities, Monday through Friday.

“The most exciting thing I've done so far at camp was sailing.  I went into the water and the wind was good.  We flipped once, and I got to sail the boat.  I have learned the parts of the boat.  The easiest one to remember is the centerboard.  I qualified as a seaman.”
Jonathan Gerache, Shrimps

The Difference Six Weeks Make
Each camp session offers a wide range of activities.  However, there are special trips assigned to three week session. There are no off campus trips during the one-week sessions. We focus on the core activities during that time. By attending more than one session, a camper participates in more activities and is able to better develop real skills in those activities. Other six-week extras include more instruction in activities, a better opportunity to develop the camper's individual character formation and more special trips.

“So far this week, I have skated, learned to water ski, and swam in the pool.  I have made a couple of friends and am enjoying the summer very much.”
Brad Bourgeois, Stingray

Awards, Certificates, and Closing Ceremony
All parents, family, and friends are invited to the awards ceremonies on the last day of each three week session. The awards ceremony begins at 10:00 AM and lasts about one hour.

All of the awards at Camp Stanislaus are given not only as a recognition of excellence, but also as a promoter of enthusiasm, fair competition, and sportsmanship.  Each camper, in all four groups, is eligible to receive any of his group's awards.

Awards are given at Camp Stanislaus for those activities for which campers have been given instruction and opportunity for improvement.  Awards are given for excellence in a given area as determined by a vote of counselors and instructors.  At the end of each three-week session, certificates, plaques and trophies are distributed to deserving campers in all of the major camp activities.  Awards are distributed at the camp closing ceremonies, and all parents and friends are invited to attend.

All awards presented each year by Camp Stanislaus are made possible through a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Bonura, Sr., in memory of their son, Henry F. Bonura, Jr.

Character Cup
The highest award given to the outstanding camper in each group at Camp Stanislaus is the Brother Noel Character Cup. This is the most prestigious award given at Camp Stanislaus. The Character Cup is awarded to the camper who, by a vote of the counselors, has shown to an outstanding degree the qualities of cooperation, respect, sincerity, dependability, and willingness to participate whole-heartedly in all of the activities of Camp Stanislaus.