On 29th July, Savio House was given over to 27 young people from Salesian schools and 7 volunteers. The young people were all 11 or 12 yrs old and were chosen by their schools to take part.

The group at Camelot Theme Park

The week was a holiday experience for all with activities which included orienteering, kayaking, swimming, bowling, a visit to the Camelot theme park and lots of in house team activities which mostly involved getting wet!

The young people mixed well with others from Thornleigh, Chertsey, Ellesmere Port and Stafford and went home with new friends to 'facebook' and 'txt'.

The idea behind the camp is to be able to offer young people an experience of family with positive young role models. The morning began with prayer and the day ended with the traditional Salesian Goodnight with the hours in-between packed full of fun and challenges. Sam Levey led the camp this year and was fantastic if exhausted at the end of it! We also introduced a 'Mamma Margaret' role and two ladies from Bootle St James's parish came to be a presence and of course to do those many tasks that just seem to happen by themselves.

The theme running through the camp was that of brave knights and damsels with Camelot their highlight. At the end of the week the young people were 'knighted' for their participation in Phoenix and sent off with their own keepsake of the week together.

Many thanks to the adults who made this week possible. We have already had interest in next year's camps and hope to run two weeks, giving 6 schools the possibility of getting involved.

An unforgettable quote of the week has to be from a young person who said, "This week has been full of exercise but you have hidden it in fun!"

Thanks to Sue McDonald for the report and photograph.