Camp Aquinas 2025

Brotherhood is the defining point of St. Thomas. It does not begin at orientation, in class, or at football games - it begins at Camp Aquinas. Camp Aquinas is just like any other summer camp, with a dining hall, competition, and cabins. However, Camp Aquinas is special because it sets the tone not only for a student’s life at St. Thomas, but an example for how they will live their lives after their time here.

One thing that truly sticks out about Camp Aquinas is the Senior Leaders. They are like camp counselors, except they are seniors that the freshmen will continue to see throughout the year in the hallways, in their classes, and at football games. The seniors are the catalyst that break open the nervous freshmen’s “shell” and get them hyped for the time of their lives.

“I think that the largest impact that I had on my freshmen was the way I interacted with them. Because I was putting so much energy into events like their wiffleball games, I was able to get them to bond with each other,” Luke Orr ’26 said.

The seniors are an example to the freshmen of how the St. Thomas brotherhood has affected them. Through the way that they interact with both each other and with teachers, the seniors show the freshmen how strong the brotherhood at St. Thomas is.

“The house system, especially at Camp Aquinas is super important because it helps us, the seniors, and the freshmen have something to bond around,” Gavin Erdmann ’26 said.

Before camp, the freshmen are divided into eight different houses, and these houses compete for the coveted Aquinas Cup. These competitions begin on the first day with basketball, wiffleball, and paintball tournaments, and continue throughout the week with debate tournaments, shelter building, bus pulling, and more. This house system forces freshmen to open themselves up to new friendships that they otherwise would not have made.

“The most important part of Camp Aquinas is that we introduce the freshmen to the St. Thomas teaching of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge,” Danny Hernandez ’08 said.

Benjamin Van Pelt ’29 celebrates after winning the debate contest that helped House Belisch win the Aquinas Cup. (Photo: Luke Orr)

Every day has a new theme centered around the motto of St. Thomas, “Lord teach me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” Each day, alumni, teachers, and students give their insight into what each theme means to them. Every night, each house goes to their own campfire and the seniors give a testimony that relates to the theme of the day, and on the last night, the freshmen are given their own opportunity to share their life story

“My favorite part of Camp Aquinas was having the deep talks at the campfire. It helped me grow closer with my eagle brothers in a way I never thought I would,” Matthew Burke ’29 said.

Camp Aquinas is more than just a fish camp, it is a learning and a bonding experience that freshmen will take with themselves for the rest of their life.