By Ms Ankita Shelke for BIS Mumbai

UDAAN Summer Camp 2026, held from May 17 to 24, 2026, brought together 64 children from Classes IV to VII from different parts of Vasai and Uttan for seven days of learning, friendship, creativity and personal growth. True to its vision — UDAAN: Unlock Dreams, Aspire and Achieve New Heights — the camp created a vibrant space where children discovered their strengths, deepened values, developed life skills and built memories that will remain with them for years to come.

Animated by Salesian Frs George and Ajay, Br Ambrose, Fatima Sisters Stefina and Amisha, together with volunteers Dolciya, Ankita, Gloria, Cheryl, Jill, Livia and Gelcy, the camp offered participants a joyful blend of formation, recreation, leadership development and meaningful learning.

Every morning began with exercise, meditation and energetic Zumba sessions that filled the atmosphere with enthusiasm and positivity. Dance sessions, action songs and fun-filled moments animated by the volunteers added energy and excitement, ensuring each day began with smiles and togetherness.

The programme was thoughtfully designed to promote holistic growth through learning, reflection, creativity and community living. Fr George conducted sessions on personality development and confidence building, encouraging participants to recognise their strengths and believe in themselves. Fr Ajay animated meaningful conversations on emotions, helping children understand emotional awareness, empathy and healthy emotional expression.

Values and character formation remained central to the UDAAN experience. Br Wencesl SJ conducted a reflective session on gratitude, respect and kindness, inspiring participants to appreciate the importance of these values in everyday life. Br Ambrose guided participants through leadership sessions that focused on responsibility, teamwork and initiative.

Recognising the realities of today’s digital world, Ms Ankita conducted a session on social media, screen addiction, artificial intelligence and digital safety. Participants reflected on healthy screen habits, responsible technology use and balancing digital engagement with meaningful offline experiences.

Environmental awareness formed another important dimension of the camp. Fr Brian and the team from Nandakhal Parish animated an environment session encouraging ecological responsibility and care for creation. The learning experience extended into action through a beach clean-up drive at Gorai Beach, helping participants understand the importance of protecting the environment.

Creativity flourished through a six-day Art and Craft Workshop conducted by Mrs Tanveer Rizvi and team, encouraging imagination, innovation and artistic expression. A lively face painting session conducted by the volunteers added colour and excitement to the camp experience.

Learning extended beyond sessions. Morning jobs helped participants understand the dignity of labour through responsibility and teamwork. GK and Bible quizzes encouraged collaborative learning, while innovative games and specially designed activities strengthened participation, confidence and friendships.

Swimming pool time brought joy and celebration, while night games created moments of laughter, bonding and unforgettable memories. Daily Holy Mass and faith experiences nurtured participants spiritually, strengthening values and community spirit throughout the seven-day journey.

The camp received encouraging feedback from parents, who appreciated the balanced integration of learning, life skills, faith formation and joyful experiences. The impact of UDAAN was also reflected in the aspirations it nurtured among participants, with many expressing interest in joining Don Bosco Lonavla in the future.

As UDAAN Summer Camp 2026 concluded, participants returned home carrying stronger confidence, deeper friendships and meaningful experiences. More than a summer programme, UDAAN became a journey of formation, helping young minds grow into confident, compassionate and responsible individuals.

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