Each year for the past 17 years, August is known as one of the busiest months of the year for the members of our Oratory in Sliema. Apart from the Salesian Brigade summer camp and other activities, August represents the last few weeks of the Bosco Summer School and all the preparations in view of the Evening of Awards.

The Bosco Summer School is a six week experience organised for around 200 children between the age of 6 and 12. It is led by a core team consisting of seven leaders under Br. Paul Spiteri's direction and a great team of around 45 leaders who voluntarily offer their time and energy. Each year the Bosco Summer School experience comes to end with the Evening of Awards for which the children's family and friends are invited.

This year, the theme for the Evening of Awards was the Bicentenary of the birth of our father Don Bosco. The grand event took place on the 28th August and on the night, the Oratory hosted more than 600 people. The event consisted of nine unique and original items - one by each group. After having organised a few performing arts workshops, the leaders of each group were given a short passage from Don Bosco's life which they had to interpret. The groups then proceeded to decide the way they wished to perform their item depending on their preferences.

Apart from all the preparations for the Evening of Awards, the leaders also prepare sports activities, outings, special activities such as Water Games and Adventure Games as well as themed formation meetings. The children are also given the great opportunity to celebrate mass daily.

We would like to thank all the leaders and preleaders for choosing to offer most of their holidays to help organise such a beautiful experience for all those who attended. It is only thanks to their generosity and altruistic spirit that such activities may be organised on such a large scale. May Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians protect and guide them always.