On Thursday, July 20, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid a brief visit to the summer camp of the Association of Russian Explorers Outside of Russia (NORR) in Woodbourne, NY. This year, the 57th annual camp program in the Catskills Mountains was a success, held over the course of three weeks and gathering together 103 campers, more than 20 counselors, and around 50 assistants.

Upon arriving, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad inspected the campground and the ongoing renovation work, went down to the freshly painted Sts. Peter & Paul Chapel, and visited the boys’ and girls’ camps during "quiet hour," where the campers were taking an afternoon rest. The camps formed up by troop in front of their tents, and His Eminence anointed everyone with holy oil blessed on the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Talking with the children and young people, Metropolitan Nicholas asked one of the boys to show him his tent. Upon discovering that His Eminence had once himself been a camper in NORR, another boy wanted to know if he still had his camp uniform. The Metropolitan explained that he had only spent one year at camp and he did not still have his uniform, but he had returned to camp later on several occasions as part of a work group, and now appreciates coming to NORR to spend time with the children and young people and to enjoy the outdoors. His Eminence expressed great interest in the life of the camp, the overall mood of the campers, their lessons and activities, and reviewed their work from crafting classes.

Prior to lunch in the camp dining area, after a joint prayer but before the food was served, the camp presented Metropolitan with a gift: an artfully hand-carved wooden box with His Eminence’s monogram. After lunch, all were asked to take a group photo.