High in the Taygetos mountains — way above the Mystras castle — happy sounds cascade down the steep, green slopes: shouts, laughter and the occasional blowing of a whistle. There are 100 youth at the Kataskynoseis Taygeti, the summer camp sponsored by the Holy Metropolis of Sparta and Monemvasia and under the direction of Bishop Efstathios. For ten days, they enjoy the freedom of loosely structured time, away from home yet carefully supervised under the watchful care of Father Seraphim and other priests.

Entrance to Kataskynoses Tayegeti, Children’s Camp

Banners of Greece, Byzantium and Orthodoxy greet us and denote culture and religion

A total of 500 youth between the ages of 10-18 will attend this summer. There are five ten-day sessions, with 100 youth per session which alternate between boys and girls. The camp has everything to meet the needs of the young people and their leaders: five cabins which sleep 25 each; a dining room and kitchen, a lovely outdoor church, administrative buildings and a medical building. Much of the food, equipment and supplies are donated by individuals and businesses.

Dining hall

Homemade pizza for dinner

Three of the five cabins for sleeping.

Cabin check every morning ensures that rooms are clean and tidy

As the schedule below depicts, the days are busy and filled with activities. The day begins with morning prayers, raising of the flag and singing the national anthem, breakfast, room check. There is one hour of group activity, one hour of team games and a variety of programs:  races, ball games, ping pong, basketball, soccer, hiking; and at the end of the day, group meetings, showers, dinner and night prayers. There are guest speakers who address topics of interest to youth such as astronomy. Groups take turns setting up the dining hall for meals.

Daily schedule — busy, busy, busy!

The ball field is the only flat surface at the camp, and is situated at the top of a mountain.

Lovely outdoor church which can also serve as a seated gathering place

Everything is here for Greek Orthodox Church services

Bishop Efstathios began summer camps in the late 1970’s at an unused monastery in Agios Anygyron. When a monk returned to reopen the monastery for religious use, the search for a new location began. During this transition time, army trailers were used and more children desired to attend. Great effort was made to find a location away from villages, where children would have plenty of room to run, play and be as noisy as they wish. In 1995, the current location was secured. It, too, has an old monastery and a church, Zoodohos Pigi (the fountain that gives life), which was built in the 1400’s!

The campus of the monastery where the earliest camps were held until construction of new cabins was completed

Zoodohos Pigi interior

Frescoes inside the church of the monastery, Zoodohos Pigi, which date to the 1400s

Supervision of the youth is undertaken by two priests who volunteer to serve, and the Bishop makes the final decision. Each group of 25 youth is led by two “captains,” or counselors; most of these are young people over age 18 who have “graduated” from camp and returned to be leaders.

In addition to Kataskynoseis Taygeti, the Metropolis sponsors a camp in the city of Neapoli for about 20 special needs children who reside in a facility also operated by the Metropolis. Other Metropolises throughout Greece also sponsor summer camps.

During the past three summers, I have had the opportunity to meet with Bishop Efstathios several times. He is a man who exemplifies the love and service which Jesus Christ gave during his ministry. He often visits the camp and sometimes has meals with the youth, as this article denotes. For almost 50 years, the youth of Laconia have been blessed by his efforts to provide them with a safe and meaningful camp experience. As the camp grows, so will the number of youth who will cherish this special time as a highlight of their summers.

Bishop Efstathios shares a meal and talks with youth, July 12, 2019. Photo from this article