Figure 1.--This photo was taken in Alfonsine during a summer after World War II. Alfonsine is a big village about 130 km south of Venice. The photo shows a group of children during some play activities, probably organized by the local parish. In the warm day, many boys are wearing their undershirts. The photo here is undated, but looks like the 1950s.

We see Church organized day camps in Italy after World War II. An Italian reader tells us, "We begin to see these church daycamps after World War II and since the 1970s, substabtial numbers have been organized by parishes and religious movements called 'campo scuola' (school camp), because they have also an educational function and not just set up to have fun." We think these camps would be a kind of day camp in America, but there was rarely abny acadeic activity. Day camps in America were often organized by both churches and municipalities. The YMCA was also very important with both day camping and residential camping. In Italy they seem more a parish (Catholic Church) function annd primarily for children from low income families. Feeding was an important part of the program . Immediately after World War II, there was a need to assist war-ravaged low uncome families, The Allies fought the Germans fron the toe of Italy in the south to the Po River in the North. The war damage was enormous and the Germans destroyed the country's infrastructure as they retreated north. By the 1950s, however, the Italian Economic Miracle was changing Italy into the modern prosperous country it is today. 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 the War.

Chronology

We see Church organized day camps in Italy after World War II. An Italian reader tells us, "We begin to see these church daycamps after World War II and since the 1970s, substabtial numbers have been organized by parishes and religious movements called 'campo scuola' (school camp), because they have also an educational function and not just set up to have fun."

American Day Camps

We think these camps would similar to day camps in America, but there was rarely abny acadeic activity. Day camps in America were often organized by both churches and municipalities. The YMCA was also very important with both day camping and residential camping.

Church Units

In Italy they seem more a parish (Catholic Church) function. 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 the War.

The Children

The childrem involved were primarily from low income families. This is a little difficuklt to tell from the available images, in part because in the warm Italian summer weather the children are wearing only the bare basics.

Function

Feeding was an important part of the program . Immediately after World War II, there was a need to assist war-ravaged low uncome families, The Allies fought the Germans fron the toe of Italy in the south to the Po River in the North. The war damage was enormous and the Germans destroyed the country's infrastructure as they retreated north. By the 1950s, however, the Italian Economic Miracle was changing Italy into the modern prosperous country it is today. The function of these camps changes especially by the 1970swgen the children in abject need was no longer the widespread problem it was after World War II.

Created: 2:40 AM 4/9/2009
Last updated: 4:13 PM 6/6/2023