Summer Camp 2025 at the Pontifical Mission Educational and Cultural Center PMECC. This is more than just a program for children and youth: a quiet revolution in a place that so desperately needs safe, hope-filled spaces.
Political tension, occupation, chaos, cycles of violence have frequently disrupted daily life in this region. The recent war between Israel and Iran where people experienced uncertainties and fear has challenged people’s ability to maintain any sense of peace and normalcy. Yet people find peace and persevere amidst fear and uncertainty –drawing strength from their faith and in prayer– offering not just hope but also sufferings as part of our Christian life.
As tensions rise, people lean on each other. Both in Jerusalem and Bethlehem during the war, families support each other, neighbors share resources, people who belong to the different civil and church groups and nationalities, OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) included, have joint efforts to share goods and give financial assistance to those who were directly hit and affected by the barrage of missiles launched to Israel. Local people and foreigners living in these areas have shown or practiced steadfastness and resilience, choosing to stay in these areas where there/their life could be at stake and in danger. We advocate for peace not through confrontation but through persistence, a serene presence and with dignity. Small acts of kindness create pockets of peace in the most strained environments.
People are unquestionably affected by this recent war and we cannot claim that we are not afraid, helpless and hopeless because we are. But the ability to live in peace despite the troubling circumstances, is quite remarkable. We do not wait for peace to come from outside. Instead, we promote and favor it –in homes, schools, places of work, worship and hearts. We find strength, hope and peace amid conflict.
Peace, healing and growth
This summer, as the world around us trembled with tension, fear and conflict, we dared to hold space for something else: peace, healing and growth. Two different age groups each of 37 energetic young campers (aged 9 to 12) to vibrant youth (aged 13 to 16) embarked on an unforgettable four-week summer camp and journeyed together into wellness, connection, creativity, self-discovery and personal growth from June 23 to July 18.
With a thoughtfully crafted program, the Pontifical Mission Educational and Cultural Center organized this year’s camp which aimed to nurture physical, mental and emotional well-being of each participant. Indeed it offered more than just fun –through sports, self-expression, chess, swimming, henna session, far more than a collection of activities– it became a space for young participants to explore what it means to live fully and thrive, both inside and out, to be well, to belong, and to grow.
We had more than just games, workshop and creative formation sessions which helped them in building confidence, developed bonding, connections and emotional awareness-turning strangers into teammates and conversations into friendship. Deeply engaging sessions on social media, mental health and artificial intelligence had the youth talking openly about their digital lives. They explored both the highs and lows of being constantly connected, reflecting on how platforms and social media like Tiktok, FB, Instagram, etc. can both help and afflict mental well-being.
Shared joys
In a camp full of energy and interaction, we also made time for stillness –turning inward with guided meditations, calming visuals and sensory awareness. Campers were encouraged to slow down, reflect, share in small and big groups and take the first steps toward a healthier lifestyle, mentally, emotionally and physically. Every day and the successive days were filled with excitement, setting the tone for a purposeful and enriching camp experience. We witnessed young hearts choosing connection over isolation, self-discovery over despair, and resilience over resignation. Together we played, reflected, expressed ourselves, and took steps –however small– towards a more grounded, hopeful way of living. From mindful mornings to laughter-filled games, everyday was packed with purpose, brought new discoveries, challenges, learning and shared joys.
How is peace even possible here in Jerusalem and Bethlehem –places so often caught in the crossfire of larger conflicts. Our camp became one of these places of peace. When children picked up chess pieces instead of phones, practiced dribbling instead of scrolling, or created symbols to express their strengths and struggles, they weren’t just learning skills. They were reclaiming space for calm, confidence and community.
When youth paused to reflect on how social media shapes their minds… when they wrote down their gratitude on a sheet of paper shaped like a leaf and placed it on a symbolic tree… when they joined hands in laughter, disagreement, creativity, or prayer, they were doing something radically transformative: choosing presence over pressure, truth over falsehood, belonging over division.
Choosing peace
The peace that reigned was not passive. It is a choice made every day –in defiance of fear, in the quiet of meditation, in the care of fellow campers. This summer showed us that even amid chaos, we can create spaces where young people are safe, seen, and heard. Where the next generation dares to believe they can be part of something better. Let us keep reflecting, keep building, keep choosing peace even when the world seemingly opts for another path.
This camp is more than just a program –it’s a quiet revolution in a place that so desperately needs safe, hope-filled spaces. By giving young people the tools to express themselves, connect deeply, and reflect on who they are and who they want to become, we are planting seeds of peace right where they’re needed most.
This summer, we made space… We turned this camp into a quiet place of peace. A place where feet ran freely on the court, where voices echoed in skits and group sharing, where minds were stretched in chess battles and hands shaped patterns of henna and art.
Peace isn’t out there waiting to be delivered. It’s inside of us waiting to be chosen and shared. Together, campers left with more memories, they took with them skills, insights, nurtured self-awareness, strengthened relationships/friendships, built habits, and moved their bodies with purpose that will last far beyond the summer.
Photos gallery
Text by Monnitte Monana.
Photos by PMECC Staff.
Published in News