You began with forty young people. Why this initiative?
Every year Don Bosco would take with him some of the most hardworking young people for a session of in-depth formation. Don Bosco knew how to see far ahead. Taking them for a few days, and calmly, he wanted to encourage them to take on responsibilities at Valdocco.
Today the goal is the same: to form young people in the Salesian spirit. That spirit of citizenship, mutual help and availability. That spirit that is not taught, but that is donated through life. These camps are an opportunity for them to challenge themselves, so the young know how to animate their companions in the school playgrounds.
How was the camp organized?
We took the opportunity to create the camp with the association "Diamond", a school for starting life anew, located at the seaside, which offers educational stays for young people in relational or behavioral difficulties. Each of the young participants was able to spend half a day as part of a crew on a ship.
What form did the educational dimension take?
We have been very attentive to the quality of the climate, to involve the young people. Therefore, first of all, taking care of the reception and favoring enriching exchanges based on mutual trust.
Then, fun and reflective activities. Every moment can be educational: service, physical effort, teamwork, punctuality ...
Finally, the mix between them: cultural, geographical, personal and social. This year there were seven young people of the "Saint Vigorde Bayeux" Educational Medical Institute with us (for children aged 6 to 20 with mild intellectual disabilities, Ed)
Everyone was able to agree, during the final game, on some common values that we have compared with the Beatitudes.
What fruits does such an experience bear?
Every young person walks at their own pace ; individually it is too early to draw conclusions. However, this experience reinforces the sense of belonging and the desire to be involved in the educational reality of one's school. A boy is thinking of becoming an animator for next year's camp, another comes with a smile on Monday mornings ... And ties with young people from other institutions make us understand that we are really a family, with ties to other high schools.
