Frodo participated in an awesome Chivalry Camp put on by "TFP" (Tradition, Family & Property). Every day they sent us (parents) detailed descriptions of the days activities as well as photos and videos. Every day you can imagine that we were eager to see/read the updates.
DAY 1
Day 1 was arrival day. So they spent the afternoon getting settled in their rooms and playing some games outside as the boys and fathers who were staying arrived.
Day 2
Introductory fencing class.
Field Games/ Medieval Games, including Steal the Bacon, British Bulldog, Blind Chariot Races,
Shield ball
Music & singing
"In the afternoon the boys attended a talk about the cultural revolution and
the ways that the bad customs, bad fashions, ugly architecture and many other
fields of culture transmit the evil philosophies of our times which, after a
long process lasting generations, can lead souls to reject the Faith. The talk
was based on the thought of the TFP founder, Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira,
demonstrating how the origins of the modern crisis go back much further than the
1960s. It began with the decay of the Catholic Middle Ages more than five
centuries ago and continues to this day. "[my thought exactly]
They begin the day with the singing of the Nicene Creed, raising of the flag and pray 2 rosaries a day (members say 3)
Daily Rosary Procession
The Rosary and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an important part of the TFP camp (and life in general), in the spirit of St. Louis de Montfort's "True Devotion to Mary".
The "evening talk was about the importance of good friendships and avoiding bad ones.
Based on the teachings of St. Augustine, he emphasized that good friendships
must be morally helpful for both parties, there must be genuine basis for
agreement, and mutual love based on self-sacrifice. " [beautiful!]
Day 3
A member "gave a talk on Don Juan of Austria and the Battle of Lepanto. Don Juan of Austria, the half brother to King Philip II of Spain and son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, was one of the greatest men of history and the leader of the Catholic League organized by Pope St. Pius V to repulse the Turkish threat to Christendom. The Ottoman Turks had been on the march for centuries, aggressively and steadily conquering the squabbling Catholic kingdoms of central and eastern Europe, and were even pushing into Austria, Venice, Bohemia, and Hungary.Unfortunately, Europeans of that time were often more interested in seeking their own power and material benefit than fighting the enemy at the gates. In many ways, it was a mentality not very different from that of most people today. But Don Juan of Austria exuded a youthful charisma and rekindled the spirit of chivalry—a spirit that had been dying with the decline of the Middle Ages. Young men from all over Europe flooded en masse to his armies. He accomplished the superhuman feat of holding together an alliance of otherwise bickering European kingdoms including Spain, Venice, Genoa, the Knights Hospitaller, Savoy, the Papal States and others, leading the united Catholic naval force to the greatest victory over Islam in history, the Battle of Lepanto, on October 7, 1571. Pope St. Pius V, in thanksgiving to Our Lady for the victory, instituted on that day the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary."
Sword fighting
Field Games
Presentations
Day 4
"The talk after breakfast was about this very subject. Since its founding,
the TFP has used street activism to reach public opinion and promote the
perennial principles of tradition, family, and property. Mr. Joseph Jordan gave
a talk with pictures and video of recent TFP street campaigns, particularly on
college campuses across America. For some videos on TFP campaigns, please see our YouTube channel
here:
More fencing
Chess
More field games plus archery
A member "gave a talk on how to debate and defend our Faith in the public square. In our times, we are increasingly confronted by those who hate the Catholic Faith, and we must know how to counter them, peacefully and legally, and with tact and logic. For those who have seen the videos of our debates on street campaigns, we have certain norms that we follow, such as never making an argument personal, always be courteous and respectful, and constantly having recourse to Our Lady and St. Michael."
Day 5
Singing
Repelling - "With harnesses and ropes, the boys learned how to safely descend the bluff. Such
activities really help to build confidence and teamwork.
A couple members gave "a second talk on TFP street campaigns, specifically showing videos on debates
between TFP members and college students. In general, the utter lack of rational
thought shown by the average liberal student and college professor is really
indicative of the decline of higher education in America and the general crisis
in society."
"Nature itself, it appeared, was out to get the boys. Halfway through the
Treasure Hunt a rainstorm rolled in, thoroughly soaking the camp participants.
But the boys weren’t about to just roll over and die. The adversity only
hardened their resolve. Thoroughly soaked and with time running out, St.
Ferdinand’s team finally found the treasure: a cache of candy, doubtless left by
some Moorish pirate centuries ago."
"A member gave a talk on the power of the rosary, and distributed a booklet on how to pray
it. He explained how and why to pray the Rosary and how to deal with common
difficulties and distractions while praying.
"The evening program concluded with a member showing the video
about the St. Louis de Montfort Academy. You can view this video on YouTube
here:
"A member also showed a “Chinese Shadow” on Don Pelayo of Spain and the Battle of Covadonga. A “Chinese Shadow” is a type of skit where an image or video is projected on a large white sheet and actors perform behind it. The viewers, on the other side, only see the shadow of the actors on the sheet."
"Beginning in the evening at 11:00 pm is another camp highlight called the
Vigil of Arms. In the Middle Ages, a young man who wished to become a knight was
required to be an upstanding Catholic and thoroughly knowledgeable in the use of
weaponry and fighting tactics. The night before the ceremony to induct him as a
knight, he spent the whole night in church, with his arms and armor placed on
the altar, praying to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament to sustain him in his
noble vocation. He was allowed to stand and kneel, but not sit down."
Day 6
"The campaign lasted for more than an hour. The boys held large signs, sang
songs, shouted slogans, and prayed the rosary in reparation for the sin of
abortion and for the conversion of our country, mindful of the upcoming Fourth
of July holiday. The signs said “Honk against abortion,” “Purity is the answer,”
or “Life is a blessing, not a disease.” A group of TFP members played the
bagpipes, bass drum, and fife, adding much life to the event and patriotic
spirit. It was a bona fide TFP campaign. A total of about 50 boys, fathers, and
TFP members participated."
"Many passers-by honked their horns in support. One lady with a large decal
of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on her window (probably a local pro-lifer)
honked and waved with great enthusiasm. "
They were on every corner!
"The effect on the boys was profound. Although some boys come from actively
pro-life families and are therefore no strangers to street campaigns, many are
not. It gives them an opportunity to fight back – albeit in a small way – in the
culture wars. They were visibly invigorated by the experience. We hope it will
spark a desire to get more involved in the fight to defend God’s Law in the
public square. “Man is war” said the great American general George S. Patton.
Every boy dreams of fighting in a battle. It is in our DNA, and no amount of
“gender theory” pseudo-science can make it go away. There is something about
battle that awakens a yearning that extends deeply into man’s soul. Although
battle involves sacrifice, it gives his life meaning and purpose. This is all
the more true with spiritual warfare, since we fulfill the promises we made at
our Confirmation to be Soldiers of Christ."
A member "showed another Chinese shadow presentation on Blessed Jose Sanchez del Rio, a
14-year-old martyr of the Cristero Wars in Mexico during the 1920s. He also
showed a Chinese shadow about the life St. Nuno Alvarez Pereira, the Great
Constable of Portugal and crusader prince.
"Following the videos was a live skit about the story of the Siege of the
Alcazar in 1936, during the Spanish Civil War. It was a heroic defense of the
citadel of Toledo by Catholic Spaniards against the forces of the Communist
Republican government that was waging an all-out war to eradicate the Catholic
religion from Spanish soil."
Evening Rosary Procession
Day 7
The men preparing the meat for the dinner.
In the kitchen
Sneak peak at the "castle"
Complete with Our Lady in a prominent spot.
Medieval dinner
Frodo won the senior fencing tournament!
Until he fell off. We were laughing our heads off.
Merry & Pippin riding on the ferry.
Fencing tournament
Awesome job Frodo.
Prizes!
The cake was absolutely delicious, too.
Pipping tries on the armor....
Please note he did not put on a head sock first....
Trying on helmets.
The tricky part was getting the chain mail off!
We had one of the members over to our house for dinner prior to the camp. In addition to wanting to have this man over because we had known him for years when we used to travel down to Rockford for Mass but also because we had been "warned" that we should steer clear of this group of people. Our personal experience is VERY contrary to the rumors that we heard. After we had spent the day talking incessantly with members at the Medieval games and dinner we had formulated a beautiful picture of this lay group of men who work incessantly to bring good to the world and fight against evil.
When we returned someone told us that a priest we know said, "They are a cult". I'm not someone who can just accept a rumor not to mention something with that kind of connotation. Apparently someone sent out an unsigned letter about the "evils of TFP". If you have heard this, you need to speak to these men in person and find out what they are really about. They keep nothing hidden. They are open and above board and solid. I was amazed how like-minded they were.
Since we had some very hot weather last week, I decided to google about this "cult" rumor. It seemed to be old information as well as weak. So pursuing further, I discovered that TFP actually has on their site an entire paper written line by line about this unsigned letter that went around. It was excellent and should be read. You can read it HERE.
I am very happy to have stumbled across the TPF group. But, I too, am a "problem solver" so their ways are very appealing to me. They are DOERS and we need more people in the world to go out and make things better and fewer people sitting around complaining and negative!
Also the rumor about them pitting children against their parents is very false. They actively involve parents, work with them and teach the boys respect for parents. Afterall... they are in defense of the family! (no brainer there)
Also the rumor about them pitting children against their parents is very false. They actively involve parents, work with them and teach the boys respect for parents. Afterall... they are in defense of the family! (no brainer there)
Thanks to the TFP for an awesome summer camp. Frodo told me that he learned more in 1 week than he has learned in a year. Although he loved the games and fencing and winning the fencing tournament, he said his favorite part were the talks. I think that speaks volumes. The talks!
If you'd like more information about their summer camps you can fill out the form HERE.
If you'd like more information about their summer camps you can fill out the form HERE.
Deus Vult!
(God Wills it!)
This is so wonderful! Would that every young man in our country could attend---and be open to what is taught! Can you imagine how different life would be?
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