BETHLEHEM, Palestine.
The annual Summer Camp Encounter for the youth organized by the Pontifical Mission Library in Bethlehem was held from June 10- July 5. The theme was an exhortation of St. Pedro Poveda: “Young people, strength of the world”.
The theme, “Young people, strength of the world,” has indeed served as an inspiration for the director (member of the Teresian Association) and the staff of the Pontifical Mission Library to think creatively of the many possible activities which might boost and develop to the full our young peoples’ capacity to make a difference and on how they can really be the ‘strength of the world’ in their here and now, but most especially during this summertime in their community.
In response to this challenging theme, various activities were thought of and adopted by each group based on their age groups’ levels, needs, and interests which were successfully and creatively executed and of which participants have also responded in an active and responsible way.
The endless energy and sustained enthusiasm projected not only by the staff but also among the participants since the preparation stage until the days and weeks of the Summer Camp Encounter itself have been very evident. Likewise, the atmosphere of being part of one big family, experiencing being welcomed, accepted, treated equally, with respect and love encouraged spontaneous participation among the campers.
The first two-week-long encounters started on the 10th of June and finished on the 21st of the same month for those with ages ranging from 5 to 13 years old. The remaining two weeks encounters were allotted to the youth group, which took place only at the Pontifical Mission Library, on the 24th of June until the 5th of July.
The activities were as follows: sessions on good manners and right conduct, film-viewing and forum, leadership training and personality development aimed at human and values formation.
To foment their creative and artistic abilities they were also offered sessions on art craft and needlework, storytelling, choral singing/recitation; in addition, to develop their critical mind and hone their language skills they were given dramatic reading, word scramble, chess, and topical discussions. To develop their physical and psycho-motor capacities, swimming, outdoor games, dabkeh, zumba, physical fitness/exercise and sports which include basketball, football and lawn tennis, indoor planting, mountain trekking. To increase their knowledge, deepen and appreciate Palestinian heritage and identity, cultural and educational trips were held and lectures were given to the youth. To heighten their social and community outreach, they volunteered their services to Creche – looking after abandoned infants and toddlers in this charitable institution as well as at the Antonian house of the elderly where they offered their talents and time to entertain and make them happy.
The experience of sharing, doing and acting out the activity has enabled the participants to learn their duties and responsibilities and live concretely some values and attitudes that they uphold.
One of the plus factors which contributed to the camps’ success is the venue. The first two weeks were held for the first time in Marie Doty Park, a public park belonging to the municipality of Bethlehem. Besides the playground, its green scenery and the quiet, cool atmosphere and surroundings have allowed our young participants to feel free, focus more during the activities and enjoyed the leisure hours after the sessions. The place itself is like a haven for many of them as they can just sit down quietly on the green grass or under a tree or any favorite corners they found themselves in to engage in a chat or share a snack with their newly- found friends.
All the varied components of this summer camp have contributed greatly to the effective and active learning processes with a holistic approach, which have greatly benefited the participants. Indeed, this paves the way for these young people to keep on striving and aim at the realization that they can really be the strength in their Palestinian society and hope of the world.
TA, Bethlehem