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The St John Bosco Camp – which provides a camping holiday experience with a Catholic ethos, primarily for those children who would otherwise not have such an opportunity – is back for 2024, now under the umbrella of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood.
The St John Bosco Camp is a week-long Catholic summer camp for children aged 9-12. The Camp offers a unique opportunity to explore the outdoors, make new friends, and deepen campers’ faith through daily Mass and spiritual activities. Our experienced volunteers will guide campers through exciting outdoor activities like swimming, climbing, and team-building games, while providing a supportive environment for them to grow in their faith.
Inspired by St John Bosco, in 1935 a group of volunteers set up a summer camp to provide children from London, from impoverished backgrounds and in need of a holiday, with a place to spend a week of their summer in a supportive environment with a Catholic ethos. The St John Bosco Camp has existed in various locations in England, most recently at a site in Colchester under the umbrella of the SVP. The camp ran up to and including 2019 until the COVID 19 pandemic brought things to a halt.
The St John Bosco Camp, although only operating in the summer school holidays, has been more than a holiday experience for many boys and girls, and volunteers too. The camp has helped shape the lives of so many young people, leading them in directions they may not have considered or experienced. It provides a unique offering for children which continues to be highly valued.
Fr Dominic Howarth has been a priest of Brentwood Diocese for more than 20 years, and currently serves as Episcopal Vicar for Youth Ministry and Pastoral Care. He has extensive experience in youth ministry, including residential projects in the Diocese and abroad, and has been part of the Bosco Camp since 1991.
“Many of you will be familiar with the Camp; this year it will start (relatively) small, with one week at a site near Chigwell, offering places for about 100 children to have a holiday,” says Fr Howarth.
“In future years, we hope that it will grow back to the excellent project we had for decades in the Diocese, with holidays for 300 – 400 children each year.”
An initial fundraising concert for the Camp is to take place on Saturday 13th April at New Windmill Hall, Upminster.
“Come and enjoy an exciting variety show of music and entertainment from 7pm to 9pm with wine and refreshments included,” says Fr Dominic.
Adult tickets cost £10; children’s tickets £5. Bookings by phone: 07957382592. Online bookings and more details: www.boscocamp.co.uk/events
You can also volunteer at the St John Bosco Children’s Camp, which will run from 27 July – 3 August. Helpers must be 18+, and the Camp will arrange for a DBS check, and appropriate training. “To help at the Bosco Camp is a wonderful experience, and now is the time to apply.” Details: www.boscocamp.co.uk
Poster: Bosco Concert poster
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