BIS Mumbai
BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3488
BOSCO LEADERSHIP CAMP 2013 (SENIOR BOYS)
By: Br. Avil Correa sdb
MATUNGA-MUMBAI, APRIL 17, 2013: Don Bosco Youth Services, Matunga conducted a 'Leadership Camp' 
at Boscowadi, Uttan from 12-15 April, 2013. A total of twenty three enthusiastic youngsters who had answered their XII and X standard board exams participated in this camp. The organizing team consisted of Fr. Osborn (the camp chief), Fr. Glenford, Fr. Cleophas, Br. Johnson and Br. Avil. Telston, Conrad, Jacob and Jerome volunteered to help out in the camp activities.
After a pleasant journey from Matunga via Borivli, the campers 
arrived at Boscowadi, Uttan where they were divided into four teams with meaningful names: 'Inspiring Gandhi's,' 'Empowering Ambedkars,' 'Transforming Luthers' and 'Liberating Mandelas.' These names served as models for the teams throughout the camp programme. Fr. Glen guided the campers in owning the camp and in making simple concrete camp commitments, before they pitched their tents and set up camp.
The exciting ice breakers and the camp theme song helped the campers to know more about each other. The 
Eucharistic celebration was the central aspect of each day. The inspiring homilies based on the theme of the day helped the campers to retrospect and reflect on the importance of their youthfulness. The highlights of the camp were the interactive sessions on the 'Essentials of Leadership' by Fr. Glen and 'Christian Leadership' by Fr. Cleophas. These sessions provided the campers ample thought for assimilation of the qualities of an able leader.
The evening games on the sea-shore and the time for being 'cool in 
the pool' were some of the activities that the campers looked for every day. A variety of quizzes on general knowledge, on Jesus and Mary, and on Don Bosco were held during the course of the camp. The campers were given an opportunity to display their talents during the thirty Seconds to fame' event. The night trek along the sea shore, the shrine of Vailankanni Mata and the winding lanes of Uttan gave the campers an idea of the life and culture of the Koli people.
The Labyrinth Prayer Garden experience helped our budding leaders to make journey into their own selves. 
The Via Lucis (Way of Light) was a new type of prayer experience that was held during the camp. The campers made the most of the creative methods of praying! The last night witnessed the campfire, which consisted of songs, skits, advertisements and dances. The fish and chips BBQ during the campfire were the icing on the cake. The food served during the camp revived the taste buds of every camper!
A holistic development was achieved during the course of the camp since all their needs viz. physical, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual were well looked after. It was a memorable experience for both the campers and the organizing team as well. The Leadership Camp was a grand success since at the end of it every camper had a bunch of new friends who could be 'examples to all in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity' (1 Tim 4:12).