Salesianum students dance the night away while raising funds for the Summer Learning Collaborative.
WILMINGTON, DE – Salesianum’s gymnasium was the place to be for more than 1,200 students from Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey late Friday night through early Saturday morning. Together, these energized teens danced the night away at ‘SALTHSON 2016,’ with an electrified focus on raising funds for the Summer Learning Collaborative (SLC), all while having a great time.
Based in Wilmington, SLC partners local community agencies to provide low income youth with extraordinary summer experiences. “Low income youth do not typically have opportunities to explore their passion in athletics or in the arts,” says Catherine Lindroth, SLC’s President and Executive Director. “We are proud to have this opportunity to make high-quality sports, arts and educational programs accessible to all kids.”
The summer program has been given a very special new name: Tyler’s Camp, honoring the memory of Salesianum senior, Tyler Ritchie Brown, who died tragically this March. It is also an expansion of Salesianum’s existing relationship with SLC and a partnership with the Delaware Sports League.
Tyler’s Camp will strive to minimize summer learning loss by exposing more than 250 children to a nearly three-month diverse camp experience focusing on academics, arts and athletics. “We wanted to partner with SLC because, like our SALSTHON, it is just 3 years old and already making a real impact,” says Salesianum’s Director of Activities, Dan Jackman, “SLC has the same grit and energy that our students do; we are both determined to work for the betterment for our community.”
“Tyler Brown was the epitome of a well-rounded Salesian Gentleman, involved in the arts, athletics, and challenging classes,” says Salesianum’s Principal, Fr. Chris Beretta. “He also believed using his gifts to make the world better, and lived the words ‘be who you are and be that well’ like few others. Naming this camp in his honor will ensure that Wilmington families can offer their children a summer experience that is enriching, personally and educationally. Through Tyler’s Camp, our students are striving to meet a real need in our community.”
In addition to hosting SALSTHON, Salesianum will also donate full use of its theater, arts and sports facilities to the camp. Students from Salesianum, Padua and Ursuline high schools will volunteer to as junior counselors and coaches; while faculty and staff members will serve as camp leaders. Students are now in the process of collecting gently used sporting equipment for 5th and 6th graders for use by campers this summer. Members of the community who are interested in supporting Tyler’s Camp should email djackman@salesianum.org
