Gratia Plena Camp
"I am not afraid. I was born to do this."
- St. Joan of Arc
Designed to teach young women grades 9-12 about the truths of the Catholic faith, and so equip them to combat the toxic forces of feminism in our culture, the Gratia Plena camp is an overnight retreat that is built upon the three pillars of spiritual formation, education, and fellowship. The camp's itinerary consists of talks, given by Catholic women from all walks of life, and guided small-group discussions.
Gratia Plena is intended not just to teach, but to build fellowship and to ignite young women with the joy of the Catholic faith, incorporating plenty of time where attendees can explore the beautiful surroundings and build strong friendships.
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Most importantly, the Gratia Plena camp is a full immersion into the rich beauty of the Catholic faith. Each day is anchored by the Sacraments. Daily Mass is celebrated each morning and the sacrament of Confession and Eucharistic Adoration are made available every evening.
Attendees depart the Gratia Plena camp armed with the truths of faith necessary to stand their ground, and inspired to fulfill their role as women in our Church, and to be "Sentinels of the Invisible."
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2025 Camp Dates: Tuesday, July 22 - Saturday, July 26
2025 Camp Location: Camp Maria, Leonardtown, MD
Deadline to Register: Monday, July 7, 2025.
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Cost to attend: Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we are able to cover two thirds of the cost of attending the Gratia Plena camp for each girl. We ask each family to pay the remaining $200, this (nonrefundable) payment covers all other expenses for the camp.
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For those traveling from outside the DC-MD-VA area: We will be providing transportation from Dulles airport as needed for attendees flying in for the Camp.
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Interested in serving as a counselor for the Gratia Plena Camp?*
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*All Counselor positions have been filled for the 2025 Gratia Plena Camp
2025 Camp Speakers
Nicole Christensen
Nicole is married and works as the Assistant Director of Youth Ministry at All Saints in Manassas, VA. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Divine Mercy University and is fascinated by our God-given capacity to heal from the very real wounds of life. She received her B.A. in Human Development and Family Science from George Mason University where she interned as a student campus minister at the Catholic Campus Ministry. She experienced her deeper conversion as a teenager and is honored to walk with teens towards encountering the love of Jesus for each of them. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, going for long walks, playing classical guitar, and chatting with friends over a nice cup of coffee.
Kelly Marcum
Kelly Marcum is the founder and President of Gratia Plena Institute, and currently serves as an adjunct professor in the political science department at Christendom College. She studied International Politics at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and received her M.A. from the War Studies Department at King’s College London. Prior to founding Gratia Plena, she worked on pro-life policy and legislation in Washington, DC.
Her writing has been featured in The American Conservative, The Federalist, The Washington Examiner and Catholic Exchange. Kelly is a frequent contributor to the National Catholic Register, where she writes on the lives of the saints. She lives with her husband and three children in Virginia.
In the News
"Gratia Plena: The Girls' Summer Camp that Builds Virtue"
Read more in the Catholic Exchange on the Gratia Plena Camp.
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"All Saints parishioner hosts Gratia Plena camp for girls"
Read more in the Arlington Catholic Herald on the 2022 Gratia Plena Camp.
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"In an Age of Toxic Femininity, Gratia Plena Camp Offers Authentic Womanhood'
Read more in The National Catholic Register's article on the 2021 Gratia Plena Camp.