(ANS - Vatican City) - After the long period of confinement in their homes, during which the only certainty was that the Church would not leave young people alone in the summer, Italian families have become aware that they will, again this summer, be able to take advantage of that formidable educational environment that is the summer oratory. But for the families of the employees of the Holy See, the news is even more wonderful: for the first time, the Summer Camp, or Estate Ragazzi, will be held in Vatican City, coordinated by professionals of the sector: the spiritual Sons of Don Bosco.

(ANS - Guajira) - During the holidays - Don Bosco wrote in the Memoirs of the Oratory - “I continued to take care of the boys. They were attracted by my stories, fun games, songs. Many of the older ones did not know the faith. Between games and stories, I taught them catechism and Christian prayers. It was a kind of oratory.” After two hundred years the story is almost identical. The Salesians of Venezuela have succeeded in creating the “Summer Oratories”, places where children feel welcomed, loved and respected and, above all, places where they have been able to learn about and know the God of hope.

Montreal, Canada– July 2019– The Salesian community of Montreal is engaged this summer with more than 400 young people participating in the nine-week summer program offered by the Salesian Don Bosco Youth Centre. The team of animators, composed of about 50 people, offers many activities to children and young participants, both in the classrooms and outdoors. One of the favourite weekly activities is the celebration of Mass, every Friday in the Church of Mary Help of Christians, which always ends with a festive song entitled: “Jesus is my superhero.”

(ANS - Rome) - In many Salesian houses and centers throughout Italy, summer is the busiest time with the greatest number of activities and appealing proposals for young people. Typically it is the time of "Estate Ragazzi" or "GrEst", summer camps where young animators put themselves at the service of even younger children. To foster the growth of young adolescents, the Salesian Provinces and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, together with members of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), also carry out provincial summer camps for the formation of those children who wish to become Salesian animators.

Alessandria, Italy - June 2019 - At the Don Bosco Oratory in Alessandria, the "Estate Ragazzi" summer camp is in full swing. Accompanied by three Salesians, animators and several parents, around 300 young people are involved in the numerous activities designed for the summer period. Young people and children participate in games, cooking classes, theme nights, trips outside the city and much more. The activities, which started last June 10, will continue until July 26 and then from September 2 to 6.

(ANS - Cordoba) - Salesian presences do not go on holiday: every year, thousands of boys, girls and animators enjoy the summer doing formative and oratorial experiences in the various Salesian centers of the Salesian "Blessed Artemide Zatti" Province of Northern Argentina (ARN). The proposals are as varied as the tastes and needs of each community and each young person.