TFP’s Midwest Call to Chivalry Camp Brings Challenges and Blessings

It was not an ordinary boys’ camp. From the beginning, it was fraught with challenges and suffering. However, overcoming those obstacles helped fill the camp with blessings and grace.

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) held its Midwest Call to Chivalry Camp. The nine-day event took place from June 21 to July 3 at a campground in Brazil, Indiana.

These camps seek to help young boys grow into Catholic gentlemen and knights. This year’s three camps were held in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Indiana. The year’s theme was discovering Catholic Portugal. The boys learned about Portuguese saints and heroes and enjoyed themed meals.

The camps consist of a rich mixture of talks, devotions, games and adventures. The boys never know what historic figure or dramatic event might appear on the schedule.

One of the camp’s most memorable moments, for example, was a dramatic skit on the life of Saint Nuno Álvares Pereira, the famous Carmelite Constable of Portugal. The scene showed the saint confronting noblemen who were scandalously feasting with the enemies of Portugal. In an unforgettable moment, the saint flipped the banquet table, sending plates, platters, and goblets crashing to the floor.

Real tableware was used, and the sound of the crash broke the silence of the night, causing a stunned uproar among the boys. It was a striking example of intransigence in the face of betrayal—one the boys won’t soon forget.

Another major highlight was the eleventh-century-themed treasure hunt. The boys had to decipher riddles and codes, solve a chess puzzle, and complete challenges to advance. One challenge involved hitting three balloons from 50 paces—only one of which held the next clue. Another task required decoding a message using a cipher based on the Latin “Ave Maria.” Meanwhile, Moorish “pirates” ambushed the boys with water balloons. If hit, they had to retreat to a healing tent. The boys defended themselves with shields and returned fire with their own water balloon “munitions.”

The treasure chest was found. When opened, dry ice activated into a fine mist, adding a final note of mystery and drama before revealing the candies and chocolate gold coins inside.

The camp also included a campaign held after Sunday Mass on the topic of abortion. Many boys had seen TFP Student Action videos online and wanted to learn how to defend the faith in public, just like the video volunteers. Debate classes helped them prepare. These sessions were very lively—the boys could hardly stay in their seats due to their eagerness to take part.

At the center of everything was an emphasis on manly devotion, with prayers, rosary processions and even an hour-long “vigil of arms.” Our Lady was at the center of everything.

The camp’s grand finale was the medieval games and banquet. This year’s games were held at the nearby Clayshire Castle, a medieval-themed Airbnb featuring a long wooded approach, wide lawns, a giant chessboard, and a hedge maze. The field was decorated with medieval flags and pennants fluttering in the breeze, creating a festive atmosphere.

The banquet was held in the castle’s great hall, where a professional trumpeter played several baroque pieces for the guests. After the meal, the finals of the fencing tournament took place in the hall. The sound of the foils clashing echoed throughout as the boys thrust and parried. It was impressive to see how quickly the boys picked up the skill when they put their minds to it.

A unique feature of the Call to Chivalry Camp is the micro-talks on etiquette and manners. Mr. Evan Olwell, the camp director, read from an old seminary manual that taught etiquette to future priests. It explained that practices such as eating with your mouth closed and refraining from speaking while chewing are rooted in the virtue of charity. Knights are called to be chivalrous, and that includes having good manners and social grace.

The camp came with many challenges that resulted in trials and suffering. The day before the prep crew was scheduled to arrive, a fire broke out in the kitchen. The fire extinguisher left a coating of toxic dust over the kitchen, dining room, meeting hall and game area. There was no time to clean the whole facility thoroughly. There was a last-minute scramble to find alternative spaces for cooking, eating, and gathering. Later, a mysterious illness spread among some of the boys, keeping them in bed for a few hours.

At times, the setbacks seemed overwhelming. How could such a camp continue without a kitchen or dining area? Yet through it all, the TFP staff, volunteers and dads handled each obstacle with calm and faith.

Special thanks go to the generous volunteers who cooked meals and prepared the unforgettable castle cake and medieval banquet.

Many boys also experienced personal hardships, such as illness or minor injuries. The way they bore these crosses was inspiring. In an age marked by softness and comfort, it was moving to see young men endure with a Catholic spirit of sacrifice.

How does one measure the success of a camp? One way is to see how sad the boys are when it comes to an end. Over the nine days, the boys have countless memories of tournaments played, challenges overcome, and friendships formed. They heard the Call to Chivalry and answered it. The final talk reminded them that knighthood means fighting for a Catholic ideal. A hero is someone who faces adversity for a good cause. A saint is one who practices virtue to a heroic degree. Even at their young age, they, too, are called to be heroes and saints.

One boy asked his parents not to sign him up for any sports camp next summer. He would rather attend all the TFP camps and caravans. Another boy put it best: “I’ve been to other TFP camps before. Maybe it’s the suffering, but I like this one the best.”

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