Christmas Quo Vadis

The Catholic Camp for Boys

December 27–29, 2026 | Santiago Retreat Center

For boys in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades

Eyes on Christ: Orienting Our Compass for the New Year

Christmas is a season. Faith is a journey. Christ is our compass.

Christmas is more than a day of celebration—it is a season of joy, reflection, and renewed commitment to Christ!

Join us at Santiago Retreat Center for Christmas Quo Vadis, a special three-day Catholic camp where young men will experience the joy of the Christmas season while exploring an important question: Where is God calling me?

Through prayer, outdoor adventures, engaging discussions, physical activities, fellowship, and the celebration of Holy Mass, campers will discover how to keep their eyes fixed on Christ as they prepare for a new year.

Camp Information

Dates: Sunday, December 27 – Tuesday, December 29, 2026

Location: Santiago Retreat Center, Silverado, California

Who: Boys in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades

Camp Fee: $89 per person (campers and junior counselors)

Arrival: Sunday, December 27, at 3:00 PM

Departure: Tuesday, December 29, following the closing Mass, which begins at 12:00 PM.

Meals: Meals will be provided during camp. Lunch will not be served on departure day.

Our Mission

Christmas Quo Vadis is designed to help young men:

Discover the true meaning of Christmas by exploring the richness of the Church's liturgical calendar and understanding why Christmas is a season, not just a single day.
Discern God's call by reflecting on the different vocations through which we are invited to serve Christ and His Church.
Set their spiritual compass by establishing meaningful goals for the new year that will strengthen their relationship with Christ and help guide them toward God's plan for their lives.
Grow in Catholic brotherhood through shared experiences, prayer, outdoor adventures, and friendships rooted in faith.

Our hope is that every camper and counselor leaves with a deeper appreciation of the Christmas season, a greater openness to God's calling, and a renewed determination to follow Christ in the coming year.

Spiritual Directors

Fr. Philip Sullivan, OCD

Fr. Glenn Baaten, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter

Br. Charbel Mary OCD

Camp Directors

Mr. Mark Padilla
Mr. Jean Paul Afif
Mr. Mark McElrath

Camp Schedule

Sunday, December 27

Feast of St. John the Evangelist

Welcome to Christmas Quo Vadis!

3:00 PM — Arrival & Check-In

3:15 PM — Christmas Welcome Reception

4:00 PM — Meet the Team & Introduction to the Camp Theme

4:30 PM — Icebreakers & Activities

5:15 PM — Christmas Dinner

6:30 PM — Session I: Christmas Is a Season, Not a Day

7:30 PM — Session II: No Room at the Inn, an interactive Las Posadas experience.

8:30 PM — Campfire Conversations & Christmas Carols

9:15 PM — Night Prayer

10:00 PM — Lights Out

Monday, December 28

Feast of the Holy Innocents

Discerning God's Call

7:00 AM — Morning Prayer

7:15 AM — Morning Run & Physical Training

8:00 AM — Breakfast

9:00 AM — Session III: Setting Our Compass, Discerning God's Call & Exploring the Lay Vocation

12:00 PM — Holy Mass

1:00 PM — Lunch

2:00 PM — Pilgrimage Hike to the Shrine of St. Joseph,

Session IV: A Life Dedicated to Christ, Exploring Religious Life and the Priesthood

3:00 PM — Return Hike

3:30 PM — Recreation & Outdoor Activities

5:30 PM — Dinner & Christmas Carols

6:45 PM — Session V: Creating Our Compass for the New Year, A hands-on activity to establish spiritual goals for the coming year.

9:15 PM — Night Prayer

10:00 PM — Lights Out

Tuesday, December 29

Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket

Keeping Our Eyes on Christ

7:00 AM — Morning Prayer

7:15 AM — Morning Run & Physical Training

8:00 AM — Breakfast

9:00 AM — Session VI: Keeping Christ in Christmas, Making a Gift of Our Lives to Christ

10:30 AM — Break Camp & Pack Up

12:00 PM — Closing Holy Mass

Following Mass — Camper Departure

Please note: Lunch will not be provided on Tuesday.

Where Is God Calling You?

The words Quo Vadis mean "Where are you going?"

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior and prepare for a new year, we invite young men to consider this important question:

Where is Christ leading me, and am I willing to follow?

Come experience three days of faith, adventure, brotherhood, and Christmas joy at Santiago Retreat Center!

Keep your eyes on Christ. Set your compass. Follow His call.

* Registration: $89 per camper or junior counselor