Summer at Salesian Family Youth Center: A Youth-Led Community Experience

By JC Montenegro, PhD

Every summer program offers something valuable to its participants, but Camp Salesian stands out for one key reason: young people lead the way. While most camps are staffed entirely by adults, we entrust our teenagers with real responsibility. As camp counselors, they are responsible for guiding, supervising, and caring for our younger campers. This model doesn’t just help with staffing; it shapes lives.

Teens who take on these roles aren’t just volunteering; they are also assuming leadership roles. They’re learning discipline, teamwork, and leadership. They’re developing the ability to stay calm in moments of stress, to organize activities that are both safe and fun, and to be the kind of role model that younger children look up to. And for the children, this model offers a different type of joy, being led by someone close in age, someone who still knows how to play freeze tag, hide and seek, and laugh at silly jokes.

This summer, Camp Salesian welcomed 137 campers, supported by a team of 71 counselors and head staff, and 10 employees, totaling 218 people in our space. Notably, 60% of our counselors are new, many of whom are stepping into leadership roles for the first time. This year, we’ve also seen more family engagement, with siblings of our teen counselors enrolling in Camp for the first time. Watching these young people share the magic of Camp Salesian with their younger siblings has been a highlight.

However, we cannot ignore the challenges some of our families are facing. The presence of immigration enforcement in the area has affected attendance. A number of our families, many undocumented, have opted to keep their children at home out of fear. In response, our community has stepped in. We’ve offered transportation from home for families who are hesitant to drive, doing everything we can to ensure every child feels safe and welcome. This kind of support is a reminder that Camp Salesian is more than just a summer camp; it’s a community effort.

Our camp program includes sports, arts and crafts, spiritual moments, and structured activities every day. But beyond the schedule, what makes Camp Salesian exceptional is the culture of mutual respect and service. Young people lead. Children learn. Families feel supported.

As we enter the final stretch of the summer, we remain committed to providing our kids with the structure, fun, and mentorship they deserve, especially during challenging times. Camp Salesian is proof that with the proper support, youth can lead the way.

Thank you so much for your support and for being part of our Salesian Family, thanks to you all these is possible!

If you need more information, please contact JC Montenegro, PhD.