More than 800 youth take part in Don Bosco summer camp

(MissionNewswire) More than 800 youth from the provinces of Salta, Córdoba, Tucumán, Mendoza, San Juan, San Luis and Santiago del Estero, Argentina came together to celebrate with their peers at the Don Bosco summer camp. The camp, held in Anisacate in early January, was organized by the Northern Region of the Argentine Explorers of Don Bosco. The camp’s theme “A heart that dreams, a thousand who live it” was inspired by the Rector Major’s Strenna 2024.

The event provided an enriching experience for youth who participated in workshops, catechism and games. Several Salesians were in attendance, including Auxiliary Bishop of Córdoba Alejandro Musolino and Father Horacio Barbieri, superior of the Salesian Province of Northern Argentina. Bishop Musolino expressed his joy at having participated in such a beneficial experience for youth, underlining the importance of these meetings for their development.

“Vulnerable and disadvantaged youth deserve a chance to have an enriching summer break where they can connect with friends and engage in safe activities,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian camps provide much more than just recreational activities. There is an educational component included in each one that instills teamwork, skill building and problem solving. Youth learn while having fun.”

More than a quarter of the people in Argentina live in conditions of poverty with no formal employment and poor-quality education, according to the World Bank. The country’s high school dropout rate is close to 37% and youth account for a third of those unemployed. Almost 12% of children ages 5 to 17 are working instead of being in school and 20% need government assistance. Many face malnutrition, a lack of clean water and sewage, and inadequate housing.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – Argentina – More than 800 young people at the Exploradores of Don Bosco summer cam

Salesian Missions – Argentina

World Bank – Argentina