The Story of Trinity Woods
Gratitude
This place exists because of the generosity and faith of so many people.
We are grateful for the donors who believed in the mission, the board members and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and the incredible Trinity Woods staff who helped shape it into what it is today.
We are grateful for the youth who come to camp with open hearts. For the parents who sign their children up and often come as chaperones. For Youth Ministers that plan and give of themselves to change lives. For the young adults who give a summer — or more — of their lives to serve God. For the schools that bring students to our Faith and Science camps. For the priests who come to celebrate the sacraments in this beautiful place. And for the support of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and surrounding diocese.
Above all, we are grateful for God’s Providence, which has guided every step of this journey. One day in eternity we will be able to look back and fully see how Trinity Woods has impacted the lives of so many.
How It Began.
The story of Trinity Woods begins with the incredible fruit of Extreme Faith Camp (EFC)— a long-standing Catholic summer camp founded by John O’Sullivan which has been serving the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis since 2001.
For years, EFC helped young people encounter Christ in the Eucharist, experience the sacraments, and form lasting friendships rooted in their Catholic faith. The impact on families, parishes, and vocations has been profound.
As more young people and parishes desired to attend EFC, camp space became limited. There was no room for expansion to allow more kids and parishes to attend this life-changing experience.
Tim and Helen Healy experienced this personally when their own children couldn’t attend camp one year. They had seen the fruits of EFC in their own family and in their parish through the way young people were encountering Christ on their own, making their own decision to have a personal relationship with Him. They knew more kids needed that opportunity.
A Vision Takes Shape.
Together with a group of parents, priests, and religious from the diocese, Tim and Helen formed Minnesota Catholic Youth Partnership with a clear goal: to find a permanent home for Extreme Faith Camp and build a year-round Catholic retreat center that could serve far more than a summer camp ever could.
THE VISION ALSO INCLUDED:
- Youth and parish retreats
- Faith and Science camps for Catholic schools
- Adult retreats and silent retreats, especially for women
- A place of encounter with Christ in the beauty of creation
A Permanent Home.
After a 4-year search viewing over 15 different properties, MN Catholic Youth Partnership purchased a 700-acre property previously named Heartwood Resort in Trego, Wisconsin — more than anyone had imagined. Stunning natural beauty. Beautiful buildings. A private lake. Along the beautifully protected Namekagon River. Space for hundreds. After the purchase, the property was renamed Trinity Woods Catholic Retreat Center.
At that point, John O’Sullivan, founder of EFC, joined the effort as camp director as an additional support to the churches of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
And what once started as a camp for 15 youth, now sees over 3,200 youth each summer. God is good!
Still Being Written.
Trinity Woods is still just beginning.
Each summer, missionaries give their lives in service. Each week, young people encounter Christ in new and powerful ways. Each year, the mission grows.
As a nonprofit organization, Trinity Woods Catholic Retreat Center operates through the generosity of donors, grants, and retreat participation. Your support helps make it possible for more young people to come to camp, more retreats to take place, and more lives to be changed.
We invite you to be part of this mission.
Because the story of Trinity Woods is not just something we look back on — it is something still being written. And we are deeply grateful to all who are part of it.