By Sheila Kun, Salesian Cooperator
(Rosemead, California) – Under the banner of Camp Don Bosco, Rosemead, 70 young campers gathered for a weeklong summer camp led by 50 senior and assistant counselors. As expected, it was a tremendous success. Many campers told their parents not to pick them up until the very last hour, and when it was finally time to leave, they struggled to say goodbye to their fellow campers and counselors, with tears in their eyes.
Rosemead is not an affluent community. It is not filled with multimillion-dollar homes, nor is Camp Don Bosco located at a luxury campground. So why do parents continue to entrust their children to this summer camp year after year?
After speaking with several campers and parents, the answer is clear.
Take Carnival Night, for example. Campers enjoyed an unforgettable evening singing karaoke, playing games, sharing laughs, and sampling delicious food from the many booths set up throughout the camp. Both campers and counselors fully embraced the Salesian spirit of joy through play and fellowship.
With the excitement of the World Cup season, campers also participated in their own COPA soccer tournament. Unlike traditional soccer, Camp Don Bosco’s version had one special rule: teams could have far more than the usual 11 players. In this case, each team had about 30 children on the field at once. The result was delightfully organized chaos. One memorable moment featured a tall forward surrounded by a circle of energetic 8-year-old boys and girls, making it nearly impossible to score as he tried to weave through a wall of determined defenders.
The talent show, presented by each cabin, also highlighted the creativity and gifts of the campers. Guided by their counselors, the children created skits and performances that delighted parents and showcased talents many had never shared before.
One particularly meaningful surprise came during the campers’ sand art presentations, which revealed just how well they had embraced Salesian spirituality. The Cabin Monarch explained that their artwork of colorful butterflies represented the four pillars of the Salesian Oratory Model: home, school, playground, and church. Through play, reflection, and creativity, the children had clearly internalized these values.
What makes Camp Don Bosco so successful?
The answer lies in its young counselors, who mentor younger campers while living out the Salesian spirit each day. Loving-kindness, joyful service, positive discipline, and placing faith in the Lord at the center of every activity create an environment where God’s love naturally shines through.
Camp Don Bosco, Rosemead may not offer high-tech attractions or elaborate facilities, but it provides something far more valuable: young people leading young people in an environment that promotes holistic growth. Using the playground as a place of formation, campers learn independence, time management, respect, gratitude, and, above all, experience God’s love through their relationships with their counselors.
Parents recognize the lasting value of this experience, and campers eagerly look forward to returning each summer because of the friendships, joy, and sense of belonging they find there.
As another successful summer comes to a close, Camp Don Bosco, Rosemead, looks forward to welcoming campers again in 2027, continuing its mission of educating and accompanying young people in the spirit of Don Bosco.