Our Programs at Bosco

A RETREAT IS ...

A "Time out"
to evaluate and deepen my relationship with God, with others and with myself

A time to stop
Stop to reflect, take stock, make decisions about the rest of my life

A time to be challenged
Open yourself and check on yours values and lifestyle

A time of intense listening
Listen to God speaking to you and showing you the special plan He has for you

A time of spiritual renewal and celebration
A real opportunity to be reconciled with God and others

- It’s not a course on church doctrine
- It’s not just a break from school
- It’s not only a time for socializing
- It’s not a time for entertainment
- It’s not something anyone is obliged to do
- It’s not an opportunity for religious debates
- It’s not a time of fun and games, even though it has its lighter moments.

… We are also open to your proposals!
For any special requirement please contact us
We will adapt our retreats to your needs with pleasure

It is "experiential" rather than "preached"; the program consists of a variety of exercises, group dynamics, audio/visual presentations, hand-outs, music and singing, games, and the celebration of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist whenever possible.

Holidays are too expensive!
We can't take our children anywhere without their morals being corrupted!
I'm looking for a sound simple healthy holiday for my son!
I wish my daughter could go on one of those Church camps like I went on when I was her age !

Well, why not try the Bosco Holiday Camp for 9-14 year olds, held in the lovely safe setting of Bosco Centre?

Twice a year during winter or easter holiday and during summer holidays the Bosco Youth ministry team used to organize some Holidays camps for poor and destitute children. Between 100 and 150 ten to fifteen year olds from needy backgrounds (half of them from informal settlements) attend a 5-day holiday camp at Bosco! They experience having three regular meals a day, a bed to sleep in just for themselves, and showers, for the first time in their life. They are coming from squatter camps or Townships around Bosco (Orange Farm, Jackson's drift, Finetown), refugee’s center, or sometimes directly from the streets of Jo'burg…Most of are also orphans. The contribution they make (their families or sponsors) is around R50. The entire cost (paid by Bosco Center and Salesians) is around R 200!

This Christian Holiday camp is run by a team of competent youth leaders backed by priest and sisters from Salesians community. The Salesians of Don Bosco, who are an international religious organization within the catholic church, were founded 130 years ago to care for poor young people. There is no intention to try convert your children. The camp will mainly aim to help them make constructive use of some of their free time, and through our games and educational activities together, they will hopefully discover certain values of the good news of God. The program consists of a well balanced mix of recreational, educational and spiritual activities… The program consists of a well balanced mix of recreational, educational and spiritual activities. The program consists of a well balanced mix of recreational, educational and spiritual activities. The program consists of a well balanced mix of recreational, educational and spiritual activities.

Casual clothes
JerseyTackies
Slops Swimming costume
Bedding (Sleeping bag or blanket)
Towel
Personal sports gear
Toiletries
Pocket money (optional) for tuck shop & souvenirs
And your joy !
“Please mark all clothing and personal belongings with child’s name”

We ran 2 holiday camps in a row from the end of November to mid-December! The first for 120 pupils from Assumption school in Sharpeville.The second for 95 youths from informal settlements and members of the local oratory. Also six street boys (from Marshall and Kerk Street groups) participated in this camp and fitted in very well. They arrived with nothing but the smelly rags they were dressed in about 6 hours before any other participants. This gave us time to get them fitting clothing and a good shower and meal. This was we hope the start of a new outreach ministry to homeless street youth from Bosco. We shall try to network with the organizations actually working the streets of Jo'burg to provide an experience which could help in the rehabilitation of so many boys sniffing glue at the crossroads. Judging from the results of those first six, where four of them have made the decision to return home to their families in the Free State as being a better option to loitering around the inner city. Judy Bassingthwaighte who is one of the directors of Paballo ya Batho, a ministry to the homeless of the central Methodist Mission in Jo'burg, wrote to us during the actual camp: “I have been thinking that we should do some follow up work with families and see if there is any better possibility of integration with their home life after this experience. They were so happy to be at Bosco. I shall remember watching them on the scooters and just being children! How I long for them to be protected and to be loved! Thank you for the relationship you have created for us with Bosco!” Within days afterwards she phoned us with the good news that 4 out of the six had opted to return home in the light of their experience at Bosco.

The second camp assembled 54 pupils from Finetown and 41 others from surrounding poor areas. Those from Finetown were still under the trauma of their loss of Fr Declan who had done so much for them… The camp was placed under his patronage and was a super experience.
A new feature of the camps was a mystery drive around the farm in the back of our newly acquired 4x4 bakkie! & bush battles, a supersonic fuffy slide, the chance to sleep up on the hill and the offer of a hot-air-balloon flight…

Every year we love to make these camps available to the more destitute children. To make this camp possible we need some generous people who will be willing to sponsor our children.

Hundred of them would love to come this year but we are still looking for some sponsors. Please help us to give them holidays and sponsor a child

For each child salesians must add R200 for each children. You can easily imagine funds necessary to sponsor 150 children for each camp! So Any sponsorships at R200 per child would be most welcomed!

But all your material donations (Costumes, pens, sweets, balls) are also welcomed! If you feel you can give also little bit of your time to help us during this camp: come and join us in the organizing team!

Our team will provide you with new ideas and materials, new inspirations to animate your own parish retreats or catechist classes. Experience this retreat and pick up new ideas for your parish

Many school groups are used to experience one day retreats at Bosco. These retreats are part of the school programs and they provide the learners with an original way of experimenting God.

Many parishes includes in the preparation of confirmation for their young people a week end retreat at Bosco centre. Groups experience many prayerful session enlighting the power of the holy spirit. These retreats offer the perfect situation where the participants will focus on their commitment just before experimenting their confirmation.

Bosco team has now developed specials skills and materials to help young people to grow in understanding of their first communion. Coming at Bosco to experience this first communion preparation is strongly recommended. You will offer to your group a chance to discover more on the eucharist and to enjoy a special time together at the same time.

Bosco Centre does not only facilitate Retreats and Behavior Change Programs for youth groups and schools, but also team building and leadership workshops for organizations, staff members and school prefects. Our team will be delighted to share with you their skills.

The main objective of the kind of Leadership and Team Building Workshops that we offer is to let people or students experience and understand what leadership or a team can be, within their own group or organization. The courses are experimental, and small group work, games, and reflective situations are used as a training method. The program is facilitated according to every group’s size, age, back round and requested subjects or issues that need to be addressed.

The subjects that are dealt with on a Leadership Workshop:

- Who or what is a leader.
- Leadership styles.
- What it means to be a leader.
- Personality of a leader.
- Leading by example.
- Leaders saying NO!
- Communication.
- Fears of leadership roles.
- Conflict resolution.
- Our mission as Leaders.

The subjects that are dealt with on a Team Building Workshop:

- Who or what is a team.
- Types of teams
- Working as a team
- Communicating in a team
- Team building exercises
- Benefits of being in a team

Bookings should be done well in advance, as they will only be confirmed upon receipt of the requested deposit and a completed and signed booking form. The deposit amount of 25% of the total cost should be paid to confirm your booking. This deposit is non-refundable in case of cancellation but will be counted as part of the overall payment.

Deposit can be paid by cheque, cash, or internet transfer into our account at:
Bank: Standard Bank,
Branch: Ellis Park
Code: 4605
Account Number: 002200686
Account Name: Bosco Centre
Please fax the copy of the deposit slip to 011 – 949 2078

- 1 Day with Meals (Morning Tea & Lunch) = R90.00
- Overnight (24 hours) = R150.00
- Overnight (30 hours) = R200.00
- Weekend: Friday Supper – Sunday Lunch = R300.00