Inspiration at Camp St. Francis 2024

By Pre-novice Carlos Cerda

(Aptos, CA – August 14) – To prepare for the novitiate, pre-novices Carlos Cerda, Lorenzo D’Alessandro, Nicholas Jandernoa, and Jieo Tecson, alongside Christo Philistin (who will join them for the novitiate), served as counselors at Camp St. Francis. Camp St. Francis remains as the only current resident Salesian summer camp in the US. The season ran from Sunday, June 30, through Saturday, July 27. It operated three out of its four weeks as an all-boys camp, and the last week became a co-ed camp.

The following are reflections and experiences from the future novices.

Camp St. Francis was an amazing experience that truly challenged me and got me out of my comfort zone. One of my favorite moments of camp was night prayers by the cabin, when I got to tell the campers bedtime stories after lights out.

My other top moment occurred at the last campfire, where my cabin’s campers were totally comfortable being themselves and bonding like brothers. I am glad that I got to be their head counselor, assisted by Christo, and together we were awarded the cabin of the week. - Carlos

When I read The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco, I understood how he felt so comfortable among the children at Valdocco. Through my experience as a counselor at Camp St. Francis, I encountered the love and passion that motivated Don Bosco to dedicate his life to the young, especially the poorest. I had unforgettable moments with the games, the campfires, and the liturgical moments. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing young souls pray to the Lord with faith and joy. This camp was like a retreat for me, a special time to be with the young, for the young, and by the young. - Christo

It was truly a great blessing to serve at Camp St. Francis this past summer! Since the campers stayed overnight for a week at a time, it provided us with the opportunity to get to know them on a deeper level. This atmosphere helped me to witness the mission of Don Bosco being carried out in our world today. I learned a lot, had a ton of fun, and witnessed God working in and through young people! - Nicholas

Serving at Camp St. Francis helped me deepen and strengthen my motivation to join the Salesians. With an experience similar to the original oratories, I have no doubt as to why the Salesian mission and charism attracted and continues to attract so many young men and women to dedicate their lives to poverty, chastity, obedience, and living surrendered in prayer all for the sake of the young people God entrusts to them. Viva Don Bosco! - Lorenzo

Getting to spend a month at Camp St. Francis was truly an experience and a great blessing I will not forget! In the four weeks we spent there, I got to see Don Bosco’s Oratory in action. I saw “home” in the young people who didn’t want to leave and in some who came back week after week. Next, I saw “school” in the young as they learned how to take care of themselves and others. Then I saw “church” in their excitement to hear more and more stories about Jesus and the saints. Last, I saw “playground” as they made new friends while they tried out all the different activities the camp had to offer. And with its early mornings, late nights, and sometimes seemingly endless days of constantly being in their company, I was able to better explore the way God may be calling us to be His presence among the young, just as He once called Don Bosco to work tirelessly for the salvation of their souls.

My camp experience thus brought me back to the reason I looked into the Salesians in the first place: to walk with the young to Paradise. It was especially hard to forget this, when, every day, we were able to enjoy our very own slice of Paradise right outside our door! - Jieo