Welcome to Our Camp Website

2025 Diocesan Camp Now In Session! Click Here For Photos
"Sanctify those who love the beauty of Thy house."
Click HERE to see what's NEW in the air at Camp!
Click HERE to see Camp Nazareth like never before!
Camp Nazareth and the beautiful night sky!

Welcome To Camp Nazareth!

We would like to welcome you to the website of Camp Nazareth Retreat and Conference Center. Camp Nazareth, located in Mercer, PA, has been serving a variety of groups and hosting many different events since 1977. It has hosted religious camps, sports camps, weekend retreats, school meetings, marriage retreats, band camps and other events during its 36-year history. We invite you to call or visit us to see how Camp Nazareth can meet your group’s individual needs.... Learn More >>

2025 Camp Nazareth Wishlist!!

The 2025 Camp Nazareth Wishlist is now available online. Please help Camp achieve its goal of getting every item on the list sponsored. Camp, its Staff, the campers, and user groups are grateful for each sponsor who helps make the Summers at Camp, as well as Camp’s programs and offerings, better because of their generosity. Camp cannot run and provide excellent programs and experiences without your generosity and continued support.

You can access the Wishlist at the following link: 2025 Camp Wishlist

The Camp itself will purchase each item. We are asking for donations for each item. Please reserve an item (or part of an item) and either pay online at the Camp Website (campnazareth.org) through the donate tab or send a check to Camp Nazareth (339 Pew Road, Mercer, PA 16137) with 2025 Wishlist in the memo line. Thank you for your support!

2024 CN Staff Reflection

The Camp cannot thank the CN Staff enough for their commitment to our campers and the different programs the Camp both runs and hosts. The Staff themselves are a tremendous reflection of their families and churches, and each year the Camp and its campers are the beneficiaries of their hard work. With gratitude the Camp offers the following Staff Reflections written by Cathryn ("Kiki") Popadin-Lesniak and Robert (Ignatius) Leonardo. They are inspiring reflections, and anyone even thinking about working at Camp as a Staff member, should read them. You can access the reflections at the following links:

Cathryn ("Kiki") Popadin-Lesniak Staff Reflection

Robert (Ignatius) Leonardo Staff Reflection

The Nazarene - Camp's Official Newsletter!!

Check out each edition of the kids' version of The Nazarene, Camp Nazareth’s monthly electronic Newsletter! Each month Camp will send out The Nazarene via email and post it on social media and here on our website for our campers. Fun activities, Camp pics, Camp news, church hymns, quotes from The Fathers, and lots more will be in each edition of the kids’ version of The Nazarene. Tell your kids to be on the lookout for their version of The Nazarene and to be on the lookout for how they can help make The Nazarene a great newsletter. We’ll be asking them for monthly submissions (art work, quotes, poems, etc.). Click on The Nazarene link below to find out more!

Click here for the January 2024 campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the February 2024 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the March 2024 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the April 2024 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the May 2024 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the June 2024 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the November 2024 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the December 2024 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the January 2025 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the February 2025 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the March 2025 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the April 2025 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the May 2025 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the June 2025 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the July 2025 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the September 2025 Campers' Nazarene!

Click here for the September 2025 Family Nazarene!

There is also a version of The Nazarene for mom's and dad's and our entire Diocesan faithful! This version of The Nazarene is sent out via email and contains lots of interesting pictures and articles about the “goings-on” at Camp during the previous month as well as the different events, projects and happenings that are coming up. The Nazarene is a great way for Camp to keep in touch with its extended family and a great way for you to be “in the know” about all things Camp.

Diocesan Summer Camp 2026

Here's a sneak peek at our 2026 Diocesan Summer Camping Weeks! SAVE THE DATES!!

Week 1: Sunday, July 19 – Saturday, July 25, 2026 – Johnstown, Pocono, Southern Tier, Youngstown and Chicago Deaneries

Week 2: Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1, 2026 – Pittsburgh, Mid-Atlantic, Washington D.C., and Tri-State Deaneries

Week 3: Sunday, August 2 – Saturday, August 8, 2026 -- New England, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and Canada Deaneries

Science and Nature Camp: Sunday, August 9 - Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Campers, Parents and Clergy are all encouraged to return periodically to the Camp’s website for helpful information as we move forward together towards the 2026 Summer. As we move forward together, please note the following for 2026:

The Camping weeks will run Sunday to Saturday
Group Transportation (buses, vans, etc.) will be allowed
Kids ages 8-18 (must be 8 AND have completed 2^nd Grade by the beginning of your Camping Week) may Register for Camp
Campers may register for multiple weeks at Camp. HOWEVER, please remember that no campers are allowed to stay over the weekend at Camp.

We are looking forward to a fun-filled, enjoyable and beautiful summer together again with EVERYONE in 2026!!

Registration for Summer Camp 2026 will open on February 15, 2026!!!

Other Events Still to Come in 2025

Young Adult Retreat at Camp Nazareth: Friday, October 17 - 19, 2025

The Fall Young Adult Retreat will take place from Friday, October 17- Sunday, October 19th, 2025 at Camp Nazareth, Mercer, PA. The Fall Retreat is sponsored by American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh Y2M, The OCA Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church USA. It is open to ages 18-35.

Our guest speaker will be Very Rev. Dr. Nicholas Ferencz. Fr. Nik's theme for the weekend: “To Believe or Not to Believe, that is the Question.” You can read Fr. Nik's biography here. There will be outdoor activities, lots of time for fellowship and just to relax, as well as church services and the opportunity to go to Confession.

The Retreat will begin with arrival and registration on Friday, October 17th at 7:00pm and will conclude on Sunday, October 19th at Noon following the Divine Liturgy at 9:00am and Brunch following. Click here to view and download the Retreat flyer.

Click here to Register for the Young Adult Retreat

Jr. ACRY Fall Encounter: Friday, November 7 - Sunday, November 9, 2025

The National Jr. A.C.R.Y. invites all youth ages 8–18 to gather for the 2025 Fall Encounter at Camp Nazareth this Veterans Day Weekend, November 7-9! This year’s Encounter continues the theme from this past summer at Camp Nazareth with the story of Moses, the Israelites, and the Exodus: “The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation” (Exodus 15:2). Now our children will hear the story of Joshua and the people of Israel as they enter the Promised Land, drawing strength from the command of the Lord: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

The theme will help us discover how courage and faithfulness are essential for following Christ, the “New Joshua,” who leads us into the true Promised Land of His Kingdom through the life of the Church. Through discussions, worship, and fellowship, participants will reflect on what it means to take courageous steps in their own spiritual lives and to trust Christ as He opens the way before us to His Kingdom.

The Fall Encounter will include all the hallmarks of the weekend at Camp Nazareth: worship in the Camp Church, campfires, sports, great food, activities, time with friends, and the joy of being together in Christ.

Dates: November 7–9, 2025
Location: Camp Nazareth, Mercer, PA
Cost: $120 per participant (ages 8–18)

Registration: Register here

Drop-off on Friday, 11/7 is between 6-7:30pm. Pick-up on Sunday, 11/9 is between 11am-11:30am.

Thanks to the generosity of the National Sr. A.C.R.Y., financial assistance is available to families who may need help with the cost. Please contact Fr. Matthew Dutko, Jr. A.C.R.Y. Spiritual Advisor, at 404-268-6359 for more information.

Come, seek Christ, find courage to carry your Cross, and be renewed in faith and hope at the 2025 Fall Encounter at Camp Nazareth!

2026 Science and Nature Camp

Camp Nazareth's Fourth Annual Science and Nature Camp will take place from Sunday, August 9 - Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Camp participants will learn all about Astronomy, Biology, Earth Science, Geology, Meteorology and SO MUCH MORE! Past Presentations and activities have been given and led by the Carnegie Science Center, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Jennings Environmental Center, as well as local high school teachers and college professors.

Participants will have the opportunity to use telescopes, microscopes, and water quality management technology as well as explore the trails, waterfalls, streams and geography of the Camp. Special emphasis will be placed on appreciating the beauty of nature and the wonder of the fields of science they will study.

The Science and Nature Camp is a resident (sleep-away) Camp for ages 8-18. It will take place on the 289 beautiful acres of Camp Nazareth property located at 339 Pew Road, Mercer, PA.

Registration for Science and Nature Camp will open on February 15, 2026.

Email campnazareth@acrod.org or call 724-662-4840 for more information.

In addition to the Science and Nature program, participants will enjoy the many amenities Camp Nazareth has to offer including a Junior Olympic-size swimming pool, climate-controlled cabins, sports fields and basketball courts, a large Rec Room, a volleyball court, and much more.