SALESIAN EXPERIENCE! (CONTINUED)

being wrapped up as a mummy. The reward for the winning group was their choice of sleeping areas (the best air conditioning = #1 choice).

In total contrast to the day’s competitiveness, they then headed into the chapel. There, senior Nico Garcia set the tone for the Reconciliation Service that would follow his heartfelt talk. Small groups were then led to the football eld where they discussed several topics in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During this time, four priests (including two Salesians, Fr. Thien Nguyen, our Salesian Director, and Fr. Harold Danielson) were available for individual confession for whoever wished. Those not Catholic could talk to the priests or several laymen if they wanted guidance of any kind. The evening o cially concluded with the Salesian Good Night prayer as practiced by St. Don Bosco, with lights supposedly out at midnight. Adult volunteers took turns as they chaperoned the campus over night.

Early Saturday morning was the start of the Experience’s second day with Magda’s breakfast and a bus ride to Huntington State Beach. After unloading supplies and setting up camp, a lifeguard gave everyone a safety talk. Only then did the Experience continue in the chilly water body sur ng and riding boogie boards, and on the sand playing volleyball and dodgeball, throwing frisbees and footballs, and catching up on sleep. A large group of volunteer parents cooked and served lunch and dinner. Throughout the retreat, we had great assistance of over 40 parent volunteers, without whom the retreat would not have been possible.

A highlight of the retreat was de nitely the Mass said on the beach by Fr. Thien. When he asked the freshmen if any had ever been to a Mass on the beach before, not one hand went up. The same could have been said about Reconciliation on a football eld.

The Salesian Experience ended back at the Tech in the gym with their parents present for the Salesian Good Night. There, the parents were introduced to the 61 Big Brothers, Small Group Leaders, and Big Four who lovingly had inducted the Class of 2027 into the Bosco Tech brotherhood. The service nished with hearty renditions of the “Don Bosco Song” and the Tech Alma Mater. What an experience!