People of all cultures and faiths – all are welcome.  The camp is open to all children from kindergarten to eighth grade, to high school and college students, and to adults and elders.  Multiple generations have the opportunity to learn about the Filipino culture.  High school students and adults learn as they assist the young campers.  

Registration is required for all participants – children, youth, adults.  Here are the links:

• Campers K-8: https://forms.office.com/r/Df7392FBGy
• Adults, Volunteers, (Parents accompanying children are considered volunteers and must register): https://forms.office.com/r/M8Tiib6Egw

FCIC is designed to be an active learning experience. It is a 3-day camp setting. Activity sessions may vary according to age-skills development level. Children rotate in groups to attend every session daily.

This year’s camp six (6) learning sessions include:  

• Filipino language and culture – an introduction to words and customs for basic social/family interactions.
• Music – learn songs that may have been taught to parents or grandparents when they were in school; a lively opportunity to listen and use Filipino language.
• Faith Expressions – learn faith customs/traditions of the Filipino family, including the family rosary. 
• Games – playing games and with toys are always fun, especially when from the Philippines.  Experiences may include sipa, sungka, patintero, yoyos & tops, and others.
• Arts & Crafts – a hands-on experience to creating and learning by making things representative of Filipino culture and customs. All materials will be provided. 
• Folk Dance – an active introduction to culture and heritage through movement; many Filipino dances reflect the aspects of daily life and history.  

In addition to the above classes, we hope the children learn to appreciate the Filipino culture, and become curious to learn more.  Through the interactions at FCIC, we hope the children learn to be more confident, create new friends and relations, and build upon their love of the arts, their faith, and their families.  

Registration is required for all participants – children, youth, adults; campers and volunteers.  

Just follow the link to the applications:

• Campers K-8: https://forms.office.com/r/Df7392FBGy
• Adults, Volunteers, Parents accompanying children: https://forms.office.com/r/M8Tiib6Egw

Your fees include: 

• 3 Full Days of Learning & Fun, include family celebration on the last day.
• 6 interactive Classes with experienced teachers – Language, Music, Dance, Arts & Crafts, Games, Faith
• Daily Lunches – includes main course with fresh fruit and beverages.
• Materials used in the classes—many take-homes.
• Camp T-Shirts – register by due date to ensure size and availability. 

There are two more steps to complete the registration:

• By July 21, pay camp fees at the Camp Information Tables on Sunday (July 15 and 16 after all masses.  If you cannot stop by at that time, you can pay the fees at the Parish Office.  The office is open Monday-Friday 9 am – noon; 1 pm to 6 pm.  Payment by check or credit card only.
• Complete and sign Emergency Contact/Parent Consent Waiver.

Look for an email from the FCIC team about final details for the camp by August 4. It will confirm arrival process, check-in locations, what to bring, and any updates that will ensure that FCIC is a great experience for your camper and families. It will also include details for Friday night Bayanihan Soup Potluck Dinner.

High school students (and some college students) will be the Ate and Kuya (big sister/big brother) to the K-8 campers.  They are a key part of creating a successful experience for the young.  Let us know your interests when you complete your registration form.

All volunteers are required to attend orientation and training.  The training dates are:  July 20, 27, Aug. 3.  Training is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd.

If you need community service hours for school or faith formation/confirmation – you can easily earn them at FCIC.  Your volunteer schedule times may be flexible, but a student can easily earn the 20 service hours required for most schools and confirmation programs.

Adults are welcome and needed to assist during the camp.  Volunteers may assist in the classrooms with teachers and students, kitchen assistant, admin, music ministry, and first aid.  If you have a special talent or expertise – let us know.  

When you apply, you can select the times that you are best available to assist during the camp.

Volunteers are required to attend orientation and training: July 20, 27, Aug 3.  Training is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd.

All adult volunteers (18 year or older) must be cleared through the Diocesan Safe Environment Process. A brief survey and online training—fees paid by the parish.

Volunteers sign-up like campers but they have a different link -- https://forms.office.com/r/M8Tiib6Egw

Volunteers pay a nominal fee to contribute to the cost of the t-shirt.  High School Student Volunteers -- $5; Adult Volunteers -- $10.

For Wednesday and Thursday (Day 1 & 2)*

8:30 am Campers Arrival Times; Welcome Assembly, Praise & Worship. Six (6) sessions rotation; each session about 40 minutes with lunch served mid-day.

2:20 pm – 3:00 pm Closing Assembly, Praise & Worship

3:00 Dismissal

For Friday (Day 3)*

8:30 am Campers Arrival Times; Welcome Assembly, Praise & Worship. (6) sessions rotation; each session about 20 minutes; lunch served

12:05 pm Dismissal

Return 5:00* Camper, Volunteers, Families – Family Rosary, Soup Potluck Dinner, Performances, and Exhibits

*Times may be adjusted.  Parents will be advised of schedule in email welcome letter that will be sent by August 4.

Our menu will include Filipino food, that is considered by many to be “kid-friendly.”  

If your child has allergies or is known to be “picky eater” you may pack lunch and snack from home.  Water, juice boxes, and fresh fruits can be offered to them if you/they agree.  (Please advise FCIC of child’s allergies on the registration and consent forms.)

The camp will be at Good Shepherd Parish, 8200 Gold Coast Drive, San Diego 92126. 

All camp activities are scheduled to be on the school campus -- school gym, formation classroom, school courtyards and fields.  More specific information about where to drop off and pick-up campers will be sent to parents before the camp opens. Large group activities – assemblies, potluck and performances will be in the School Gym.

People of all cultures and faiths – all are welcome.  We can all learn together to appreciate the Filipino culture and the gifts of all people. 

The FCIC project was developed by Dr. Juanita Santos Nacu, a Project Designer and an Advocate for preservation of Filipino Culture through Bridging Generational Gap. It started in 2006 as a half day session with about 30 children at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The FCIC has evolved to a 3-day camp that ends with a Family Bayanihan Soup Night and performances by the participants. In 2022 there were almost 250 participants and volunteers. It is held every other year at the parish except during the pandemic.  The camp attracts families from the parish and beyond.

Good Shepherd is a large multicultural diverse community.  The parish synod report from 2022 requested more opportunities to learn about cultures, to actively engage families, and especially work with our youth to sustain faith beyond the sacramental preparation. 

In Spring 2023, the Diocesan Commission for Filipino Catholics (DCFC); as part of its efforts to spiritually uplift the Filipino community and preserve its traditions and values, engaged Dr. Juanita Santos Nacu to share the Filipino Catholic Immersion Camp project with the parishes in the Diocese.  Good Shepherd pastor, Bishop Michael Pham, saw this as an opportunity to support parish goals by bringing families together and actively involve them in the parish life, and to promote continued faith formation and evangelization in the parish.  Good Shepherd is the first parish outside of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to replicate this program under the leadership of DCFC.