2785 AUL Sydney Youth Matters
austraLasia #2785
Youth Matters in Sydney
SYDNEY: 16 January 2011 -- The Salesian 'Youth
Matters' youth
ministry team from St. John Bosco parish at Engadine held
their first leadership camp at the Dunlea Centre [Boys'
Town] at Engadine from January 5-7. About 20 young people
ranging from 16 years old to their early 20s were invited to
attend. Over the three days, the participants attended
seminars about Salesian spirituality, the Preventive System,
Leadership and the practicalities of running a camp. These
seminars were delivered by Frs Mick Court and Marc Barry
(parish priest and assistant priest respectively) as well as
Dave Cardamone and Mick O'Connor, two Salesian youth leaders
from Don Bosco camp at Dromana, along with Peter Strudwick
and Corrinne Lindsel.
As well as the serious stuff, the
potential leaders were involved in a whole heap of
interesting and fun activities ranging from the traditional
Spotlight to a trivia night, a survivor competition where
they had to build their own rafts and go 'fishing' - the
pool at the Dunlea Centre was a perfect place for this,
although one had to be careful to step clear of the calling
cards left by the resident ducks.
The participants slept at the Dunlea
Centre and various families and individuals came and cooked
up several delicious meals for them.
Fr. Mick lead a very special 'roving'
Eucharist that started off at the Dunlea Centre and wove its
way down to one of the local parks in the beautiful bushland
surrounding Engadine.
It was hard work for the team of leaders
but an awesome undertaking and a real blessing for them. The
parish at Engadine is especially proud of this group of
young apostles who certainly went out of their comfort zone
to start what will hopefully be the first of many.
Many of those involved in the camp will
be back from January 19-21 to run a 'real' camp for
youngsters from grades 4 - 6 from the local area. They will
camp on Hanley oval at the primary school and will also use
many of the Dunlea Centre facilities.
