From Campers to Leaders: The Lasting Impact of Camp Salesian
For seven weeks this summer, Camp Salesian became a place where children could learn, explore, make friends, and simply be kids—and where young people had the opportunity to grow into leaders.
From June 15 through July 31, the Salesian Family Youth Center welcomed 125 children and young people to Camp Salesian. Throughout the summer, campers participated in activities that encouraged creativity, learning, physical activity, friendship, faith, and leadership.
2026 by the Numbers
125 Registered campers
7 Weeks of summer programming
552 Camper-weeks of participation
67 Youth counselors
10 Staff members
31% Of counselors were former Camp Salesian campers
A Summer Full of Opportunities
Every day at Camp Salesian offered something new. Campers participated in STEM, Arts & Crafts, swimming, sports, games, recreation, and liturgy. They also had opportunities to explore places beyond their neighborhood through field trips to Seal Beach, the California Science Center, and Griffith Park.
For our seventh- and eighth-grade campers, the summer included additional weekly experiences designed specifically for their age group, including movies, a sailing day, Knott's Berry Farm, and Six Flags.
These experiences are more than activities on a summer schedule. They give young people opportunities to try something new, build confidence, develop friendships, and discover interests they may not otherwise have had the chance to explore.
For many of our campers, Camp Salesian is also a place where they feel known, welcomed, and part of a community.
Keeping Camp Accessible to Families
This year brought new challenges. Reductions in some grant funding meant that SFYC needed to rethink how Camp Salesian was financed while continuing to make the program accessible to local families.
We introduced a three-tier pricing structure, with weekly rates of $90, $65, and $45, and continued to provide additional financial assistance to families who needed it.
Nearly 50% of participating families received financial assistance.
This approach allowed families to contribute according to their circumstances while helping SFYC recover more of the cost of providing the program.
The pricing structure will be reviewed as we prepare for Camp Salesian 2027 so that we can continue balancing affordability for families with the long-term financial sustainability of the program.
More Than a Summer Camp
One of the most important parts of Camp Salesian is the opportunity it provides young people to become leaders.
This summer, 67 young people volunteered as counselors, working alongside 10 SFYC staff members. Together, 77 staff members and volunteers helped create a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for our campers.
Many of our counselors came from local schools, including Roosevelt High School and Bravo High School. College students also played an important role, representing approximately 32.5% of our counselors.
But one number tells an especially meaningful story: 31% of our counselors were former Camp Salesian campers. Young people who once came to Camp Salesian as children are now returning to serve, mentor, and encourage the next generation.
This is one of the things that makes Camp Salesian special. A child arrives at camp as a participant. As that young person grows, they have the opportunity to return as a volunteer and eventually become a counselor. They learn responsibility by caring for younger children, develop leadership skills, and discover that they have something valuable to give to their community.
It becomes a cycle of participation, service, and leadership.
Investing in Young People
Camp Salesian is part of a larger journey. We want children to have a safe and positive place to spend their summer today, but we also want to help them become confident, responsible, and caring young adults tomorrow.
Through Camp Salesian, young people have opportunities to:
Learn new skills
Build friendships
Explore their creativity
Stay active
Experience new places
Grow in confidence
Practice leadership
Serve younger children
Strengthen their connection to their community
These opportunities are particularly important for the children and families we serve in Boyle Heights and the surrounding communities.
Your Support Makes a Difference
Camp Salesian cost $68,238.37 to operate in 2026. Families contributed $30,259, while foundations, donors, and fundraising activities provided additional support.
The program ended the summer with a $6,319.37 deficit. SFYC was able to support this shortfall through unrestricted fundraising, including proceeds from our Annual Gala.
This is why donor support matters.Your generosity helps us keep Camp Salesian accessible to families while providing the staff, activities, field trips, supplies, and experiences that make the program possible.
But the impact goes beyond seven weeks of summer.When you support Camp Salesian, you are helping create opportunities for children today and developing young leaders for tomorrow.
Thank You for Being Part of the Journey
Camp Salesian 2026 was made possible through the commitment of our staff, volunteers, families, community partners, foundations, and donors.
Because of this community of support, 125 young people had a summer filled with learning, recreation, friendship, faith, and leadership.
And because of that same support, some of those young people will return in the future not as campers, but as counselors ready to serve the children who come after them.
That is the lasting impact of Camp Salesian.
Thank you for helping us build strong youth and stronger futures.
Salesian Family Youth CenterServing the children and families of Boyle Heights and surrounding communities - To see full report, please click below
Thank you so much for your support!
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