Oratory Environment Enlivens Tampa’s Camp Mary Help
By Genaro Cantú, Salesian candidate
(ANS – Tampa – July 30, 2026) – Home. School.
Church. Playground. Salesians know these as the four pillars of Don Bosco’s
Oratory. At Camp Mary Help of Christians in Tampa, these same pillars have come
together uniquely. Local Tampa youths learn valuable life skills, share quality
time with one another, and at the same time grow steadily to “discover their
home in God's Church,” in the words of Stephen Watkins, the camp director.
“Fun” and “faith-filled” are two words he uses to encapsulate the camp’s
mission.
One of the aspects that has truly set Camp Mary Help apart
is celebrating the camp-wide Mass daily before any activities. It’s celebrated
by a Salesian priest on each day of the 7-week summer camp season. Campers are
encouraged to participate actively by being an altar server, joining the camp
choir, or serving as a lector.
A 10-year-old camper said of the opportunity to altar serve
at camp, “I don't get to do it a lot, so I like doing it here.” He added that
he found it “exciting.”
Activities at camp range from archery to canoeing on the lake, from arts and crafts to paying a visit to the barn on the complex (it's appropriately named Mary Has a Little Farm, with chickens, goats, and many other animals present). A caring and energetic team of counselors — many of them former campers themselves — assists the young and helps them to feel at home.
At Mary Has a Little Farm, campers got to experience firsthand
the shearing of Shamrock, a 6-year-old sheep. Credit: Arturo Sabogal
“When children come to camp, we work hard to help them feel as if they are part of our family,” Mr. Watkins shared. “We build trust, share our love, and give them a role in our community, which in turn allows them to better understand how God wants them to use their talents outside of camp.”
Tubing on the lake is a favorite among the teenage groups,
while the water slides and water balloon fights seem to be most popular among
the smaller campers.
Faith time takes place in the afternoon. This is a period devoted to interactive catechesis in an age-appropriate setting, plus weekly “witness talks,” and an opportunity for campers to share about their life in Christ. Each week, a specific theme is emphasized. Important virtues such as forgiveness and prayer took center stage recently.
Bro. Pascal Mukuye, SDB, shared that witnessing campers
approach God's mercy during forgiveness week was especially meaningful to him.
“To see our young people adoring the Lord, getting to receive the sacrament of
Reconciliation, and being able to pause was just beautiful and very inspiring,”
he noted.
The week of camp concluded with a lively Friday afternoon
talent show, complete with cheerful animation, skits, karaoke, and an awards
ceremony. Finally, to cap the week off on the highest of notes, a time of song
and worship of the Blessed Sacrament occurred.
Camp Mary Help, which just concluded its final week for
2026, can certainly be described as a tremendous success. The young in the
Tampa area were able to spend their summer alongside Christ and enjoying
themselves. By doing so, they learned to value a life in which grace and unity
with Him is not something boring or old-fashioned. Don Bosco’s saying “Run,
jump, shout, but do not sin!” truly came to life, made possible by the cheerful
assistance of the counselors and by the camp leadership and Faith Team. But in
the end, it's all made possible by the intercession of our mother, Mary Help of
Christians, for Don Bosco says that every one of those sent this summer to that
bit of paradise in Tampa made it there only by her hand. And for that, thanks
be to God.
Camp Mary Help’s counselor team gets together for a group
photo. Credit: Stephen Watkins
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