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?
2024 Camp Speakers
Kelsey Heller
Kelsey Heller is the owner of Fiat Flower Garden, a small flower farm in Nokesville, VA. She and her husband Andrew first planted the garden in 2021. Since then, they have cultivated it to serve their local community through the beauty of fresh flowers. Fiat Flower Garden was founded during a time grief in their lives and has led to many opportunities to bring their flowers to others grieving losses- specifically those suffering perinatal loss. When Kelsey is not in the garden, she is an OR nurse and homeschool mother to their 2 boys.
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Kara Lilly
Kara Lilly is a Catholic speaker, worship leader, and business owner. She has over 8 years of experience working directly for the Church in youth, campus, and parish ministry and is the owner of Kara Loryn Photography, specializing in Catholic weddings and portraiture. She has a passion for sharing the Gospel and inspiring others to live the great adventure of following Jesus. Her and her husband, John, live in her hometown of Woodbridge, VA with their two daughters, Bella and Maxine.
Kelly Marcum
Kelly Marcum is the founder and President of Gratia Plena Institute. 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.
Mary Szoch
Mary Szoch serves as the Director of the Center for Human Dignity at Family Research Council, where she researches, writes, and coordinates collaborative efforts with other pro-life advocates on policies surrounding life and human dignity. Her work has been published in The Washington Examiner, Newsweek, The Hill, National Review, Daily Signal, Christian Post, andThe Federalist.
Previously, Mary was the Director of the D.C. Catholic Conference and the Manager of Catholic Policy and Advocacy for the Archdiocese of Washington. In her role, Mary led the Archdiocese’s public policy work in D.C. She also directed the Department of Life Issues for the Archdiocese.
Mary received her master’s in education through the University of Notre Dame’s ACE program. In 2015, she founded a non-profit, Teaching Together, that provides meaningful jobs in schools to adults with special needs.
Mary graduated from the University of Notre Dame where she majored in political science and philosophy. Mary played basketball for the Fighting Irish and lettered on the 2010-2011 National Championship Runner-Up team. A native of Altoona, PA, Mary currently lives in Maryland. with her husband, Ben and two children.
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.