Don Bosco Philippines South Province

by: Aspirant Glenn Brian Justado

This year’s Summer Camp of Don Bosco Formation Center was a two-in-one event, focusing on skills training and camp; hence it is called Summer Skills Training+Camp with the theme “MAGIS: Be more, Give more”.

The first half, the skills training, was held at Don Bosco Balamban on August 16 to 21. With the help of Fr. Brian Butanas SDB, the aspirants and incoming pre-novices of DBFC were given a chance to experience the life of our trainees at Balamban. They underwent the typical life of a trainee: cooking and eating meals with them, and following their usual schedule. The aspirants and incoming-postulants were given the chance to take three electives: Welding, Electrical, and Driving. As their counterpart, the aspirants organized talks, facilitated bible sharing and singing classes, and organized ball games and team building activities with sharing for everyone during the duration of their stay.

The second half, the summer camp proper, was held at Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort from August 21 to 24. After the rigorous training comes a different kind of challenge-focusing on team building activities and adventure. Thanks to the generosity of the Pacheco family, we were able to explore the beauty of their resort, and organize different activities that would cultivate the community spirit of DBFC. Included in their activities were also the hike to tourist spots and have an adventure around the island, to make the most of their time in Bantayan Island.

It was indeed a jam-packed camp, full of excitement and enjoyment. But above all, it was also full of learnings and experiences that contributed to the holistic formation of the community, especially of the aspirants and incoming-postulants, to be able to live and imbibe the theme of this year’s summer camp, “MAGIS: Be More, Give More”.

photos by: Fr. Adrian Mendoza, SDB, Rector of DBFC