The summer camps returned after two years of stopping due to the corona virus situation with the "Let’s Paint Our Dreams" summer camp. The summer camp organized by the Center for Freedom and Justice (CFJ) in Beit Ummar, was designed to inspire children and empower them to pursue their creative passions, develop their skills, and engage with their peers through a variety of activities. The summer camp started from June 22 to July 6, 2022. The camp focused on cultivating a wide range of skills through arts, sports, and theater. The camp completed with a final performance on July 7, showcasing the children's growth and achievements. This initiative came at a time when children needed more opportunities for structured creative expression and personal development, particularly during the summer months when educational and cultural engagement may be limited.

The summer camp was created to address the need for a structured, engaging summer activity for children in the local community. With limited access to artistic and cultural activities, the camp provided a valuable opportunity for children to engage in creative expression while also developing confidence and teamwork which will help them in pursuing their dreams. The project aimed to encourage children to discover and nurture their talents while fostering a sense of community and cultural pride.

The summer camp offered a variety of workshops and programs which combined the educational and recreational activities together, each led by qualified instructors to ensure that the children gain the most from this camp.

1. Drawing and Painting (Explorers of Tomorrow): which Focused on artistic expression through drawing, painting, face painting, and folklore dance like Palestinian Dabkeh which was taught to help children engage with their cultural heritage. Sima was the trainer responsible for this part and she did a spectacular work in this part which appear in the children performance in the last day.
2. Sports (Palestine): The activities were done under the trainer Makram supervising. It aimed to enhancing physical fitness and promoting teamwork, and discipline. Also, this workshop offered the children the opportunity to participate in group sports and activities that aimed at building their physical health and cooperation skills.
3. Artistic Techniques (Olive Mountain): trainer Yamama was responsible for this workshop. This workshop emphasized artistic skills and techniques for drawing and painting, giving children the tools to express themselves visually.
4. Music and Singing (My Country): coach Tima Helped children in this workshop to develop their musical talents through singing and rhythm which also helps them to discover and enhance their singing abilities and understand musical concepts.
5. English Theater (Green Village): under the supervising of trainer Tariq this workshop was done. It Focused on improving English language skills and communication skills through theatrical performance which give children the opportunity to practice English in a creative and engaging way. He chose a group of four girls for the theatre performance. Those girls were chosen as they can read and have a good command in English.
   the first role goes to a girl name Gena, she is almost 13 years old and is the one who starts the play as a role of a wise person who gives a preach about the present, past and future and we should let light into our lives, the light indicates a positive and constructive energy.
   The second role goes to Leen, she is 12 years old, represents the conflict in the play, it’s also an answer to Gena who preached about the present past and future, leen is crying down on her knees saying that she lives in the past, not in the present.
   That is when Asma 12 years old girl plays the role of running a dialogue with leen to help her overcome her problem, then Leen starts a monologue about the pain and mental state she is going through, still she gives us a glimpse of hope about love and keenness.
   The fourth role is for Areem a very special girl who is also 12 years old, who will play a role of a poet, she will perform poetry about freedom, the denouncing of extremism and that love will bring us hope.
   The last scene before the end of the play, is when Gena approach Leen while leen on her knees feeling sorry or bad, and she preach her about the consequences of our actions which can have a negative/destructive result or positive/ constructive result, leen problem embodies any problem any person can go through and we her colleagues try to help her out, that is when at the end she overcome her problem and the four girls hold hand and say may the lord bless us with peace, love and harmony.

Daily activities were structured to ensure a balance between skill-building, social interaction, and fun for the children. The trainers were chosen carefully to ensure that the children get the best outcome from this camp. The children also received uniforms on the second day, enhancing the sense of belonging and unity.

The daily schedule at the summer camp was constructed to balance learning, creativity, physical activity, and social interaction. The breakdown of a typical day’s activities:

1. Morning Sports sessions from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM: that energized the children and helped improve their physical fitness and prepared them for a day of creative workshops. Activities like running, group exercises, and team-building games were incorporated to build stamina and teamwork.
2. Group Distribution and Warm-up Exercises from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM: Children were divided into groups based on their interests, and each group performed warm-up exercises fitted to their upcoming workshops. These activities fostered camaraderie and ensured that children were mentally and physically prepared for the day's sessions.
3. The Workshops from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM: The children engaged in their chosen workshops (art, music, sports, or theater). Each workshop was led by experienced trainers who provided individualized attention, ensuring that the children could explore their creativity in a supportive environment.
4. Breakfast and Social Time started from11:30 AM to 12:00 PM: The children were given a break to eat breakfast and socialize with one another. This time was crucial for building friendships and allowing the children to relax and reflect on what they had learned during the first session.
5. Continuation of Workshops or Group Activities from 12:00 PM to1:00 PM: This second session, after breakfast, often involved more hands-on activities like rehearsals for the final performance or completing art projects started earlier in the day.
6. Special Events and Highlights: In addition to the daily schedule, the camp also featured special events such as the distribution of uniforms on the second day. Each child received a T-shirt and hat with the camp’s slogan, "Let’s Paint Our Dreams," further creating a sense of unity and belonging. The participation of international volunteers from Norway brought new perspectives and added excitement to the camp's atmosphere.

The final performance on July 7 was the highlight of the "Let’s Paint Our Dreams" summer camp. It was a much-anticipated event where children showcased their newly acquired skills in front of their families, community members, visitors from ABBI, Norwegian volunteers and the local mayor. The event underscored the children's creativity and growth, serving as a powerful conclusion to the camp. The ceremony took place in a large outdoor place which was decorated with vibrant colors, banners, and artwork created by the children during the camp. The event began with a welcoming speech by the camp organizers, who thanked the children for their dedication, the trainers for their efforts, and the community for its support. Then each workshop was given the opportunity to present what they had accomplished during the camp.

After the performances, the camp director delivered a closing speech, highlighting the success of the camp and the progress the children had made. He spoke about how the camp provided an educational experience, a space for personal growth, creativity, and connection. He thanked the trainers for their hard work and dedication, the parents for their trust and support, and the children for their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. The children were then called to the stage to receive their gifts which were a bag for each kid, handed out to them by the camp organizers and the mayor. Each child was recognized for his contributions and achievements, and their smiles of pride and accomplishment filled the place with warmth.

The summer camp was a definite success in developing participants' self-confidence, communication, creativity, and teamwork. Children were able to explore new talents, improve physical fitness, and gain exposure to different forms of artistic expression which will help them in pursuing their future dreams. The final performance on July 7 was a testament to the children’s growth, showcasing their talents in front of their families, community members, and local leaders, leaving a lasting impact on both participants and spectators.

The summer camp was a definite success in developing participants' self-confidence, communication, creativity, and teamwork. Children were able to explore new talents, improve physical fitness, and gain exposure to different forms of artistic expression which will help them in pursuing their future dreams. The final performance on July 7 was a testament to the children’s growth, showcasing their talents in front of their families, community members, and local leaders, leaving a lasting impact on both participants and spectators.

While the camp’s direct economic impact was not a primary focus, it contributed to the local community by engaging local trainers and volunteers, providing them with valuable work experience. Additionally, the skills developed by the children may lead to longer-term economic benefits as they apply their new abilities in future educational and career pursuits.

The "Let’s Paint Our Dreams" summer camp in 2022 provided a vibrant, creative space for children to explore their talents and express themselves through art, sports, and performance. The camp's success in boosting children's self-confidence, skills, and community engagement underscores its value to both participants and the broader community. The commitment of the CFJ team and the volunteers ensured that each child had a memorable and educational experience that will help him toward achieving his dreams The final performance highlighted the camp's achievements and left a lasting positive impact on the children and their families.