While summer may mean a break from school, our Salesian campus was anything but quiet! This summer, Salesian welcomed young people from 3rd through 8th grade for six different camps and clinics, creating opportunities for students to learn, grow, build friendships, discover new interests, and experience the spirit of our community. From Red and Black Volleyball and Red and Black Basketball, both officially sponsored by Nike, to Softball Clinics, ELITE Leadership Camp, and Biomed Camp, our summer programs were designed to be much more than simply a way to stay busy during the summer months. At Salesian, we believe that a strong summer camp experience should have purpose. Intentional curriculum gives students the opportunity to develop skills, challenge themselves, collaborate with others, and apply what they are learning in an engaging, hands-on environment. Whether they were developing their athletic abilities, exploring biomedical science, or learning what it means to be an effective leader, our campers were building confidence and discovering new ways to contribute to a team and their community.

Leadership development is an especially important part of the Salesian experience. Through ELITE Leadership Camp and the many leadership opportunities woven throughout our other programs, students learned the value of communication, responsibility, teamwork, perseverance, and making positive choices. These are skills that extend far beyond the summer and help young people grow into confident, compassionate leaders who understand that leadership is not simply about being in charge, it is about serving others and making a difference.

Our athletic camps also provided an important opportunity for young people to get out, get moving, and experience the benefits of being active and part of a team. In an increasingly digital world, there is tremendous value in putting down the screens, stepping onto the court or field, challenging yourself physically, and connecting with others face-to-face. The continued growth of our Red and Black athletic camps, with attendance steadily increasing shows just how much families value these opportunities for their children. Coaches like Joe Ruiz ‘94 and Meghan Bradbury ‘15, and campers created an environment where hard work, competition, teamwork, and fun could all come together.

Biomed Camp, led by instructor and Registered Nurse, Cassie Re, offered students another kind of hands-on exploration, providing a sneak peek into Salesian’s Project Lead the Way Biomedical Program (PLTW). Experiences like these allow students to see how classroom learning can connect to real-world careers and possibilities, while sparking curiosity about subjects they may want to pursue in high school and beyond.

We also welcomed members of our incoming freshman class for a four-week academic summer session designed to help students strengthen their skills, become familiar with the Salesian experience, and begin their high school journey feeling prepared and confident. Building a strong academic foundation before freshman year is just one of the ways we help students make a successful transition to high school and become engaged members of the Salesian community from day one.

We love having young people on campus during the summer because it keeps Salesian feeling vibrant and alive. Summer camp gives young people a chance to experience that spirit firsthand, often before they ever become Salesian students. Every student and family who spent part of their summer with us, and we cannot wait to welcome many of our summer campers back to Salesian in the years to come!