Figure 1.-Here we see a summer camps organized by the Salesian nuns in Sanluri, Sardinia during 1952. Sardinia was not badlky danafed by World War II, but was similarkly aather backward abnd poor area of Italy. The Salesian Nuns are part of the Salesian Family founded by St. Don Bosco (1859). At first a largely Italian movemnent, but now is a world-wide mission dedicated to making life better for the world's poorest and neediest children and families. We suspect that the feeding function here was important.

In Italy the Christian Campo Scuola seem primarily sponsored by the local Catholic Church parishes. We are unsure how much of this was promoted or sypported by the Vatucan. We also see some Catholic orders involved in youth camps. We are not sure how common this was. We note day camps orgnized by the Salesian Nuns. The example we have found comes from Sanlub, Sardinia. The Salesian Nuns are part of the Salesian Family founded by St. Don Bosco (1859). At first a largely Italian movemnent, but now a world-wide mission dedicated to making life better for the world's poorest and neediest children and families. We think the Church began this emphasis on youth activities after World War II because before the War the Fascists tended to monopolize youth activities. And perhaps church leaders saw more clearly the value of youth activities. We do not know if this was a Vatican initiative or decusions taken by local church leaders. We still see some of these camps in Italy today, but we so not know if the are as common as after World War II and especially the 1970s. .

Created: 2:40 AM 4/9/2009
Last updated: 4:42 PM 6/6/2023