Christendom hosted a record attendance for its Best Week Ever high school summer program (BWE), with 323 rising high school seniors participating in one of five week-long sessions this summer. Immersing students in the college’s academics, spiritual life, and Catholic culture, the Best Week Ever transformed so many lives this year, giving high school students the unique experience of learning the Truth, living the Faith, and thriving as young Catholics.
“The Best Week Ever” is a bold title for a summer program, with students sometimes skeptical that any pre-college summer program could actually be given that title. But, so many of the skeptics became believers over the course of the summer, as they experienced the vibrantly Catholic culture at Christendom.
College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell was one of the teachers for the Best Week Ever.
“The ‘Best Week Ever’ was truly the best week ever! I enjoyed every single second of it,” says Abby Matysik from Pennsylvania. “Everyone I met, especially the counselors and college staff, were the funniest, kindest, most supportive, and most godly people I’ve ever met. Their devotion, faithfulness, and love was awe-inspiring and every single person made me feel like I belonged there. In addition to the amazing people at Christendom, just the complete and total immersion into an authentically Catholic culture was the most beautiful experience, and something I never knew I needed until I experienced it. It really showed me what it means to truly live the faith, not just at Mass, adoration, or before meals, but every minute of every day.”
Each week, students sang in the choir at Mass on Friday in the college’s new Christ the King Chapel.
BWE has had more than 4000 participants during its 25-year history, making it the most popular, well-attended, and highly-ranked pre-college summer program of its kind. This year drew students from 36 states, as well as from Canada and Argentina.
“Interest in the program has grown consistently and this year we had to put 100 students on a waiting list,” says Admissions Director Sam Phillips. “We were so happy to welcome all of our participants and give them an experience of our transformative education and joyful Catholic culture.”
Students were able to swim and kayak on the Shenandoah River, located right in Christendom’s backyard.
“During the week I received a taste of the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley and experienced the vibrant and authentically Catholic culture at Christendom,” said Dominic Marra of New York. “I was able to meet with Christendom professors, get a real feel for the campus, and experience some of the events hosted by the college throughout the year, such as dances and a parliamentary debate. Best of all, for one week I was able to attend daily Mass and adoration. For me, this alone was truly incredible, as the high school I attend does not have immediate access to the sacraments. The week really was the Best Week Ever.”
BWE has had more than 4000 participants during its 25-year history, making it the most popular, well-attended, and highly-ranked pre-college summer program of its kind. This year drew students from 36 states, as well as from Canada and Argentina.
Over the past five years, when asked to rank their satisfaction level with the program, students ranked BWE an average of 4.74/5.0. Additionally, approximately 70%-75% of the incoming freshman class each year are BWE alumni — a great tribute to the value of the summer program for the students.
Next year’s five one-week BWE sessions will take place in June and July with an Early Bird Priority List opening on November 15 at the www.thebestweekever.com.
To view photos from past BWEs, visit here.