The Pontifical Mission Educational and Cultural Center came alive again as the six weeks summer camp kicked off last June 22 and concluded on July 31.
This had brought together around 95 amazing young people coming from Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour who started their fun-filled and meaningful summer camp journey with spontaneity, boundless energy, genuine eagerness to learn, and joyful playfulness. Three different age groups with ages ranging from 6 to 17 years old and each group with a maximum of 37 participants went through a two-weeks’ journey filled with fun, friendship and discovery. The activities of the different groups vary accordingly depending on their age and needs.
It was wonderful to welcome back many familiar faces who have been part of our camp family in previous years, along with others who were just enthusiastic and excited in journeying with us each day.
Inspired by this year’s theme, “Journeying Onward: Young People Building a Future of Hope,” our campers have learned that life is indeed an exciting journey, one that is best travelled with open hearts, curious minds, and joyful spirits.
Time for everything
From team games and creative activities of knowing one’s self and others, discovering leadership, communication and relational skills, working together in groups, sharing ideas, getting in touch(ed) with their dreams and aspirations, connecting with nature and heritage, to meaningful conversations and new friendships, the days were filled with energy, laughter, and positive vibes. Participants had time to move with all their energy, and a time to slow down. A time to run and a time to stay still. A time to act on impulse, and a time to think ahead. A time to do, and a time to simply be. A time to laugh with friends, and a time to enjoy a quiet moment. A time to speak, and a time to listen. A time to challenge the mind, and a time to let it wander with freedom and creativity. They all have experienced all of these moments throughout the camp.
Opportunities to learn and grow
The campers would always start the day with lots of energy through sports, physical fitness and challenge games (outdoors and indoors), where they built not only strength and endurance but also teamwork, discipline, trust, and friendships. As the pace slowed, they shifted gears to chess and values formation sessions that sharpened their focus, patience, strategic thinking one move at a time as well as recognizing and appreciating the values they uphold respectively. The challenge continued with fun word-search puzzles and other educational games such as monopoly, uno, and perpetual commotion that stretched their minds and proved that learning can be just as exciting as playing.
Some value-filled activities reminded our young people that growth happens in many ways, through movement and stillness, action and reflection, teamwork and quiet concentration, creative imagination, etc. So, each day wasn’t just about activities, but about helping them grow in hope and responsibility, discovering new strengths, creating joyful memories, and journeying toward a brighter future.
For two weeks, participants of each group have chosen real conversations over screens (as they surrendered to the staff their mobile phones for self-keeping during the session), shared laughter instead of scrolling, and discovered the joy of simply being present with one another. Along the way, strangers became friends, confidence began to grow, hidden talents came to light, and beautiful memories were created, moments that they will carry with them long after the camp has ended.
Journeys continue
One of the highlights of each group was sowing plants (flowering and climbing), a simple yet meaningful activity that beautifully symbolized the journey they have shared together, nurturing hope and building a brighter future. As they filled empty pots with fresh soil, gently replaced old plants with new ones, watered them, and carefully nurtured each one, they were doing much more than gardening. They were planting seeds of hope - for themselves, for their future, and for their beloved homeland. Each simple gesture became a reminder that growth takes patience, care, and the courage to begin again. With every seedling planted, the campers eagerly embraced the idea that even the smallest acts of care can blossom into something beautiful.
Few heartwarming and touching moments of the camp came, when some generous young campers shared snacks of cookies, croissants, ice-cream and chocolates they had brought with everyone to enjoy. In another moment, one of the campers celebrated his gift of life with the rest of the group which made his day more special. A simple gesture, yet a beautiful reminder that joy grows when we choose to give and share. Also, such act of kindness is a powerful reminder that generosity and sharing are values best learned through genuine actions that developed throughout the camp.
The last day of each group, was about celebrating a journey that had brought them closer together. A beautiful reminder that young people don’t just need activities, rather they need spaces where they feel welcomed, valued, and free to be themselves. Give them that space, and they will surprise you. They will grow. They will flourish, and they will inspire.
There is so much hope in this generation. We simply need to believe in them, walk alongside them, and continue creating places where they can dream, belong, and become the very best version of themselves.
The camp may have ended, campers and the staff may have been exhausted yet happy and contented as they carried with them new knowledge, have formed friendships, discovered joy of learning and of listening to one another, so many lessons learned, and hopefully growth will continue long after the final day of the camp.
May the lessons they learned, the friendships they built, and the hope they planted continue to flourish wherever life leads them.
Text & photos: Monnitte Monana and PMECC Staff.
Published in News