On Monday, the 15th of July, Monnitte Monana opened the PMECC’s second batch of the summer youth camp with some 26 4th to 6th grader-participants bustling with relentless enthusiasm and youthful, enviable energy. After giving them a huge welcome on behalf of the staff and facilitators, an orientation was given by Sahar Zreineh presenting the program of the day, echoing the same theme as the first camp: “Be yourself, know yourself, love yourself”. A much brighter blue shirt was distributed for each kid, having the same logo and the theme printed on it.

Love for reading and learning

During one of the break time periods, Kinda, 12 years old and a 4th grader entered the office bubbling with enthusiasm as she engaged the staff in a kindred conversation. It’s worth noting that Kinda is a third generation PM member: her grandmother and her mother were also members of the PMECC, were avid readers. In fact, most, if not all the former members, claim that it is in the heart of the PMECC where their love for reading and learning was born, nurtured and enriched, as they remember the Teresians who motivated them through the years. Having had this invaluable experience, they have unhesitatingly registered their kids as well and have been the heralds of the good seeds of value formation and cultural enrichment sown in the PMECC which many times they also consider as their second “home.”

Giving up electronic gadgets

A familiar young figure, an amazing “fixture” so to say, is the indefatigable young camper Riad who completed the three-week youth camp (remember how he was dubbed as the “budding genius” by his fellow campers!), who continues in this present group, where he, age-wise, properly belongs. When asked in retrospect how he felt about the recently completed camp, he spontaneously quipped that it was an excellent one where he learned many new things. Currently he also feels very much at home and comfortable as he continues to unfold and candidly share his God-given talents. Notably, Riad is one of those young ones in this group who seemed to have given up their attachment to their electronic gadgets. In fact, so much of their time is taken up by the learning sessions that they have willingly ‘surrendered’ their electronic gadgets to the staff for safe keeping so that they concentrate on the novelties of each day.

The first week was completed with a variety of activities with some modules like the earlier camp (human development sessions, role playing, chess, embroidery and outdoor sports), except that for these young ones, parents in general requested that they be taught the artful way of writing Arabic script as well, since this has been an apparent difficult skill to acquire. In addition, sessions on film-viewing followed by a discussion forum, good manners and social etiquette, given by Agnes Sleibi, have also been included giving way to thoughtful sessions apropos for value formation.

The second week featured fitness classes, outdoor games as well as talks on entrepreneurship and social innovation by Dalia Ramadan of the IBTIKAR. To add to the outdoors sports, swimming culminated the 2-weeks activity which included Palestinian breakfast and an evaluation session.

Thanks to the collaborators

The PMECC Staff, under the guidance and leadership of the Teresian Association member would like to acknowledge with heartfelt thanks – for all the five weeks of the summer youth camp – the spirited cooperation and sharing of expertise, time, and talents – by personnel at Bethlehem University, such as Mr. Philip Daoud as well as the staff of the Athletic Department Team of the BU, under the leadership of Dr. Samar Al-Araj, whose assistance contributed to a notable development in the agility and physical fitness of the young members of the 2nd batch. Worth mentioning also is Dr. Khalil Shokeh from BU who introduced them to the various heritage places and structures that are found in Bethlehem area. Thanks to Dahlia Ramadan of IBTIKAR who helped them in deepening knowledge of self as well as to George Abu Dineen who gave the youth sessions on mastering the art of public speaking; those at the Antonian Society Home for the Aged especially Im George, Issam Ijdha and Iyad Handal of the Bethlehem Cultural Heritage and Preservation Center as well as the zealous Chess instructor, Mr. Fadi Qassis, Mrs. Dalal Mansour who gave embroidery sessions and Ms. Rania Subeh who taught Arabic writing.

Looking into next year

In general, the five-weeks summer camp have come to an end and its amusing that the parents are now looking into next year and are already reserving a slot for their children. Like their children, parents have been spontaneous and excited to see their kids happy as they dropped them off in the morning and picked them up at the end of the day. They too have expressed their joy and gratitude for having their kids registered in this camp.

The photo gallery tells memorable story of two weeks of youthful dialogues and fun, camaraderie and bonding, as well as the start of an ongoing process of growth in self-knowledge, acceptance of one’s gifts, confidence in oneself, appreciation of, and respect for one another in the young members of this group. All in an atmosphere of serenity and simplicity, joy and budding friendships, inter-religious and intercultural exchanges.