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In Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Camp Wojtyla offers middle and high school students the opportunity to engage in adventurous activities such as rock climbing, white water rafting, and hiking while fostering their Catholic faith. The camp, named after Karol Wojtyla, better known as St. John Paul II, was established in 2006 by Annie and Scott Powell. Annie Powell explains that their approach integrates catechesis with outdoor adventures, using these experiences to teach about God and Catholic values.
"A lot of it is just the dignity of the human person, and who we’re called to be as sons and as daughters (of God),” she said. “And JPII, my goodness, did such a good job of teaching us that.”
This establishment is part of several Catholic organizations inspired by St. John Paul II's teachings, continuing his legacy two decades after his passing on April 2, 2005.
Anthony Picarello, from the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, highlighted some of the late pope’s significant contributions, such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the inception of World Youth Day. He noted, "On a larger scale, St. John Paul’s contributions to ‘the fall of communism (and) everything going on today…’ That’s just part of the structure of our world that he contributed to.”
The National Shrine, visited by 82,000 people in 2024, pairs devotion with intellectual exploration, featuring exhibits relating to St. John Paul. Currently, they are showcasing the Shroud of Turin, followed by an exhibition on Divine Mercy.
Picarello is also developing a YouTube series on the pope's 14 encyclicals, describing them as “prophetic” and “continually relevant.” He said, “It’s not just declaring timeless truths about the human person… it’s the nature and dignity of the human person.”
The St. John Paul Legacy Foundation in Pennsylvania is dedicated to promoting the theology of the body, a doctrine articulated by St. John Paul, focusing on human love and dignity. Dave Sloun, the foundation’s executive director, believes understanding these teachings can lead to sanctity, emphasizing positivity over skepticism towards the world.
The John Paul II Project complements this mission by offering young adults programs in Krakow, Poland, to deepen their understanding of Catholicism and personal spirituality. Co-founder Corinne MacDonald emphasized, “Christian anthropology, his understanding of the human person — how necessary that is today,” while noting the importance of following JPII’s model rather than becoming experts on him.
Camp Wojtyla aims to blend nature with spirituality, taking inspiration from St. John Paul’s love for the outdoors during his lifetime. Annie Powell highlighted nature's role in spiritual learning, while Scott Powell remarked on St. John Paul II’s efforts to shield young people from harmful ideologies by bringing them into nature. “We’re trying to get them away from similar lies, but the lies in our case happen to be coming from these little devices… so that Jesus can remind them of their true identity,” he said.
Annie Powell believes that St. John Paul would approve of their work, noting, “I would like to think that he sees us and is so happy.”
Maria Wiering, senior writer for OSV News, reports on the ongoing influence of St. John Paul II's teachings through initiatives like the ones above.
