By SC THA

Hua Hin, Thailand, 31 March 2024 -- From 18-23 March 2024, the Salesian Commission on Youth Ministry, Thailand, organized the annual vocational camp at the Don Bosco Youth Center, Khao Takiep, Hua Hin, under the theme "The Dream that makes us dream...a heart that turns wolves into sheep". The camp members include Catholic male youth in grades 5 - 9 from all regions of Thailand, numbering 81 persons in all. Included in that number were the Salesian confreres, Salesian cooperators, past pupils and senior aspirants. These formed the central committee to facilitate and jointly organize the friendship camp to achieve its objectives.

The friendship camp began with the welcoming activities at the seaside and the orientation to understand the rules of camp life. The opening ceremony was conducted by Father Nattawut Kitsawat, the one responsible for vocational work in the Salesian Commission on Youth Ministry and the deputy camp director. Inside the friendship camp, there were learning and training moments on different topics, as follows:

• “Getting to Know Don Bosco” - to lead the camp members in learning and understanding the biography of Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesian Congregation. This was led by Brother Bunmee Charunsakorn.
• “The Dream That Makes You Dream” - to lead the camp members to know Don Bosco's dream when he was nine years old, and the continuation of that dream into the founding of the Salesian Congregation, and apply this dream to the life of each camp member. This was facilitated by Father Nopphadon Joseph.
• “Salesians joining forces to take care of the world” - to make camp members become aware of their responsibility to take care of God's creation according to the Apostolic Exhortation “Praise God” (Laudate Deum) of Pope Francis. This was animated by Ms. Sudarat Wihokpraiwan. This activity included actual field visits to breed aquatic animals at Sirindhorn International Environmental Park and obstacle activities at Huai Sai Wildlife Breeding Station.

There were other Salesian-inspired activities like treasure hunting, sand pile creation, stage and drama presentations, sports competitions, Don Bosco's True Fan Competition - all intermixed with knowledge about Don Bosco and the Salesian way of life.

Aside from meeting the Salesians so that the campers would know more about the Salesian way of life, they also had the chance to welcome Fr Joan Lluis Playa', the delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, and Bro. Dominic Nguyen Nam, the delegate for the Association of the Salesian Cooperators and the Salesian Past Pupils who came to visit the Salesian Thai Province. Fr Joan Lluis Playa' gave an encouraging message to the campers.

The 'Friendship Camp 2024' ended with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, the Provincial superior. A representative of the campers delivered words of gratitude for the Salesian priests, brothers, group animators, cooks, and all the behind-the-scene staff who helped make the 'Friendship Camp 2024' a great success. Fr Nopphadon Joseph, the head of the Commission on Youth Pastoral and the camp director, awarded the medals of Don Bosco to those who have passed the selection process to be Salesian aspirants. Finally, Father Provincial gave the final message of encouragement to the campers and declared the Friendship Camp 2024' officially closed.

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