About Us

Mission Statement

Camp Maria Retreat Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, strives to provide an atmosphere of prayer, hospitality and simplicity in a peaceful, natural environment for retreats and various types of renewal programs.  Our facilities are available to those who seek to strengthen and deepen their commitment to God, the Church, and to God’s people throughout the world.

About our ministry

In the spirit and tradition of Catherine Spalding and St. Vincent de Paul, in collaboration with the Sisters of Charity, Nazareth KY, Camp Maria provides an atmosphere of prayer and hospitality for individuals, families, and other groups to experience retreats and various types of renewal programs.

Our services and facilities are available to those who seek to strengthen and deepen their commitment to God, the Church and to God’s people and throughout the world.

We accomplish this by:

  • Uniting prayerfully with those who come to Camp Maria seeking new life with God and themselves. We pray for all who come to Camp Maria Retreat Center
  • Cultivating an awareness of the need to grow and renew as “whole’ persons in body mind and spirit. Art Retreats, Music Programs and Retreats, Environmental Awareness Programs, Health, and Wellness Program
  • Reaching out and providing support to those who feel alienated, isolated, and struggle to find meaning in their lives.  We support the WARM Program, Grief retreats, Vets programs, Recovery support retreats, and  Programs for high-risk kids.
  • Encouraging community and ecumenical participation in the planning, organizing, and running of various programs at Camp Maria. We are open to all who search and promote unity among Christian churches. This can be seen in such programs as Food Faith and Fellowship events, Lenten Program Series, and Camp Crazy Faith.
  • Fostering an appreciation in individuals for the need to care for creation and to protect the environment. The Holy Spirit calls us to action through scripture and church teachings to deepen our understanding of God’s wonderful plan in creation.  It is our duty to work together to care for creation and create ecological awareness and action.

Inspired by the encyclical written by Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ (2015), Camp Maria Retreat Center follows a comprehensive ecological sustainability plan and hosts Camp Creation, a Care for Creation environmental awareness camp for youth 7 to 14 years of age.  Promoting and embracing eco-spirituality is an essential component of the retreat experience at Camp Maria.

Camp Maria Retreat Center Staff

Ann Kovalcik
Director
director@campmaria.org

Greg Shedd
Operations Manager
operationsmgr@campmaria.org

Theresa Peoples
Administrative Assistant
admin@campmaria.org

Elvis Brien
Lead Cook

Al Butler
Maintenance Manager
campmariamaintenance@gmail.com

Harmony Spranger Lead Housekeeper

Donald Holt
Maintenance

Doris Williams
Food Service

Mia Huff
Housekeeping

Regina Pachas
Food Service

Jim Bradburn
Maintenance

Jon Pharis
Food Service/Housekeeping

Laura
Food Service

Camp Maria Retreat Center
Board of Directors

Barbara Flores, SCN – Provincial, Western Province, Liaison
Michael Harper – Chair
Mark Taylor – Vice Chair
Christa Hayes – Secretary
Ann Kovalcik, SCNA – Director
Jerrilyn Borneman
Patricia Buckler, SCNA
Debbie Carroll
John Fenwick
Cathy Gibson
Sharon Johnsen 
Teresa Kotturan, SCN
Chris Kunze, SCN 
Theresa Laurel
Larry Stauffer
Tom Trudell