"Future Youth" Camp - Creating New Scouts in Beit Ummar 2017
"Future Youth" camp in Beit Ummar engaged 60 kids in philosophical games, art, and a final concert, blending education, creativity, and physical activities.
Project Planning
Project Financing
Starting Work
Achieving Achievements
Introduction
The "Future Youth" Camp, which took place in Beit Ummar in 2017, was thoughtfully designed to engage children in structured activities that would enhance their educational and creative development. The primary objective was to create new scouts, while offering a space for children to participate in enriching and interactive experiences. This camp was seen as an opportunity to nurture future leaders by helping them develop essential life skills through a mix of education, creativity, and physical engagement.
Case
In Beit Ummar, children face a notable lack of organized group activities that combine learning with fun, creativity, and physical involvement. Most of the local youth do not have access to structured programs that can engage them in a way that builds essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, and self-expression. The absence of these activities deprives children of vital outlets for their energy and curiosity, which could delay their personal and social development. The "Future Youth" Camp was established to fill this gap by offering a week-long program of enriching and engaging activities. By combining fun with educational components, the camp aims to cultivate important skills while allowing children to explore their interests in a supportive environment. Through this initiative, children are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with their peers, ultimately contributing to their overall development and well-being.
Solutions
The camp successfully overcome the challenge by creating an enriching and interactive environment where children could develop essential skills such as teamwork, self-expression, and creativity. The activities were designed to provide both intellectual and physical stimulation, allowing the children to engage deeply with each other and their surroundings. The program blended fun and learning through games, discussions, and creative workshops, enabling the children to explore their thoughts, express themselves, and grow in confidence. These workshops are divided into The conclusion of these efforts was a final concert, which served as a celebration of their achievements, highlighting the personal growth and collective success of the participants.
Activities
The camp was designed to develope personal growth, self-expression, and teamwork among children, providing a well-rounded experience that engaged them intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Over the six days, the activities combined creative expression, philosophical discussions, and cooperative games to create a rich and engaging environment.
- Day 1: The trainers met 60 children and introduced them to a series of games designed to promote bonding and trust. These games encouraged openness and helped the children feel comfortable with each other, laying the foundation for meaningful interactions throughout the camp.
- Day 2: The day’s activities began with ball games to gather the group, followed by a philosophical discussion centered around three thought-provoking questions: "Why do you get up in the morning?", "What are you frightened of?", and "What is important to have?" The children took turns using a "talking stick" to answer, learning how to express themselves while respecting others' turns. After discussing their answers, the children illustrated their thoughts with colorful drawings on A4 paper, which allowed them to visually express their ideas. The day ended with a small farewell game to close the session, leaving the children joyful and satisfied.
- Day 3: Trainers engaged the children with more group games to strengthen their bonds, followed by another philosophical session where the children explored questions like "What makes you happy?", "Why do you go to school?", and "What makes you laugh?" After expressing their thoughts verbally, the children drew pictures using pastel pencils to visually represent their answers, continuing to develop both their creative and cognitive skills.
- Day 4: The day focused on deeper philosophical questions such as "What is life?", "What is death?", and "Do you believe in freedom?" The children responded in their own unique ways, which led to a collaborative art session. The children were divided into groups, each group selecting one of the questions to create a painting about. Sponges were provided as a tool for free expression, and the children enthusiastically poured their energy into the creative activity. After a break, they engaged in another workshop where they used paste to create pictures with a relief texture, which helped them further explore their artistic abilities.
- Day 5: The children began the day with cooperative games, followed by an activity where they had to place a chair in the middle of a circle without making any noise. This quiet activity required intense focus and concentration, which balanced out the louder games earlier in the session. The group then participated in a "mirror game," where partners mirrored each other’s movements, teaching them concentration, focus, and non-verbal communication. Later, they reflected on philosophical questions such as "Do you have traditions?", "What is art?", and "What do you think about peace?", which fostered deeper reflection and conversation among the children.
- Day 6: The final day culminated in a grand concert, where 200 participants gathered to celebrate the children’s achievements. The children performed traditional dances like Dabka, acted in a theater presentation, and sang songs, demonstrating the skills and confidence they had gained throughout the camp. Alongside the performances, an exhibition displayed the artwork the children had created over the six days, including the drawings, paintings, and relief pictures they had made in the various workshops. This concert and exhibition provided a fitting conclusion to the camp, showcasing the creative talents of the children and their intellectual and emotional growth.
Through this combination of philosophical exploration, creative expression, and team-building games, the camp offered the children a unique opportunity to grow, both individually and collectively. The carefully structured activities allowed the children to express their ideas, work together, and celebrate their achievements, creating a memorable and transformative experience for all involved.
Achieved Outcomes
The "Future Youth" camp successfully engaged sixty children, all of whom actively participated in the wide range of activities offered. The final concert was a clear highlight, where the children demonstrated the skills and talents they had developed over the course of the camp. Their involvement in the games, discussions, and creative workshops significantly improved their teamwork, communication, and self-confidence. The camp provided these children with a structured, safe, and nurturing environment in which they could grow both personally and socially. Through their experiences, they learned valuable life skills and built lasting friendships and a sense of community. Overall, the camp played a crucial role in fostering their development and empowering them for the future.
Social Impact
The camp's social impact was significant. By providing a platform for children to work together and express themselves, the camp fostered a strong sense of community among the participants. The children learned important social skills such as teamwork, cooperation, and respect for others' opinions. These lessons are crucial for their development as future leaders and contributing members of their community. Additionally, the friendships formed during the camp helped build stronger social networks that can benefit the children long after the camp ended. These connections enhance their sense of belonging and provide support systems that can encourage personal growth and collaboration in the future. Overall, the camp not only enriched individual experiences but also strengthened the community as a whole.
Economic Impact
Although there was no direct financial return from the summer camp, the long-term economic impact is tied to the skills and confidence the children gained. By empowering the youth with creativity, communication skills, and a sense of community, the camp potentially contributed to their future educational and professional success. This, in turn, may have positive economic effects on their families and the broader community, as these children grow into capable and productive adults.
Conclusion
The "Future Youth" summer Camp of 2017 was a successful initiative that effectively addressed the need for structured educational and creative activities for children in Beit Ummar. Through a well-designed program that combined games, discussions, and art, the camp helped children develop important life skills, express themselves creatively, and connect with their peers. The camp not only had a significant social impact but also laid the groundwork for the children’s future development, both personally and professionally. It was a meaningful experience that will likely have lasting effects on the children and the community as a whole.
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What types of activities were conducted in the camp?
The camp included games, art workshops, philosophical discussions, and a final concert and exhibition.