by Richard Demeter
For
the third year in a row, Br. Steven Way, SDB, will be directing the Pala Rey Salesian
Youth Camp north of San Diego, Calif. The program, conducted in four weekly sessions in
July, is a coeducational resident camp for children ages 7-12 and is an outreach ministry
of the Salesian Boys and Girls Club of East Los Angeles.
"It’s a wonderful experience for me," began Br. Steve enthusiastically, "because it brings together a microcosm of the whole Salesian family for the benefit of the kids in the camp. It’s a good example of the Salesian family at work."
The 50 youngsters who will attend each session this summer will be under the care of about 20 adults and students. The Salesians involved — three Sisters, two Brothers and one priest — will be assisted by a volunteer corps of Salesian novices, cooperators and alumni.
"I look forward to interacting with the kids and seeing how grateful they are for the camping experience," said Johann Uriarte, one of the novices who have already served as counselors at other Salesian camps.
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Br. Steven Way, SDB |
Once the youngsters arrive at Pala Rey, their week is filled with a variety of activities. On the first two days the campers can enjoy arts and crafts, hiking, sports tournaments, swimming and table tennis, while on another day they take a trip to nearby Sea World. The week concludes with a special awards presentation to recognize the campers’ achievements. Mass is also celebrated for the youngsters three times during the week.
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"I liked the sports Olympics and going to Sea World the best," said Bryan Barajas, 14, who attended the Pala Rey Camp each of the last three years. "In the crafts class I made a model of a Flint-stones’ car for myself and a gift for my mom," he recalled about last year’s experience. He learned about the camp while taking a Karate class at the Salesian Boys and Girls Club.
"I liked talking with [Br.] Steve," Bryan added. "He’s nice and he doesn’t give you a hard time. If you do something bad, he talks to you calmly about it. I know I’m too old to attend the camp again, but I wouldn’t mind going back as a counselor."
The camp boasts a chapel, six wooden cabins for the youngsters, an arts and crafts studio, a chapel and residence for the Sisters, a kitchen, a dining hall and a swimming pool.
"I remember how surprised many of the kids from East L.A. were to see the enormous grass field at the camp," recalled Br. Steve. "They had never seen anything like that before. The best thing about the camp is that it lets kids experience and explore things they can’t do at home in their neighborhoods."
The 35-year-old Salesian is a veteran of 17 years of camping experience and admits that "camping is in my blood." Prior to taking his vows in 1997, he taught at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif. He recently completed a year studying philosophy at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.