The Peace Camp of Open House was held between July 3rd and July 21st, 2023, the Arab-Jewish camp that has existed for many years with the aim of strengthening ties and coexistence between the two peoples. The camp was held again this year in the city of Ramla – inside the YRF center. We received the campers on Sundays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

This year, 80 campers from grades 4 to 7 joined the camp, a third of the participants are Hebrew speakers, who came from the villages of Beit Hashmonai, Karmei Yosef, Kfar Ben Nun, Gizo, Mishmar Ayalon. And the rest of the trainees are Arabic speakers who came from Neve Shalom, Ramla, and Lod and also from the north.

 

The campers were divided into three groups according to age, and each group was accompanied by an Arab guide and a Jewish guide, and 3 more volunteers.

 

The volunteers in the various groups are actually ex campers, who were educated according to its principles, and chose to volunteer and take an active part out of a desire to give and contribute.

 

Some of the guides, have worked with us in previous years and they are: Shibli, Nur and Najoa

 

And the guides who joined us this year are: Asher, Maya and Aner – together with the management team: Lutfia, Khader and Costa.

 

Like every year, our campers had creative and enjoyable activities.

 

We started the first day of camp with an outdoor activity that emphasizes teamwork and cooperation between the group members.

 

During the rest of the camp days, the campers enjoyed pool days at Ramla Country,  a trip to the city of Jaffa, a water park Yamit 2000, watching a movie with popcorn, activities at ninja facilities, in addition to art, music and sports activities.

 

One of the activities that was in the forest in the atmosphere of nature – Sadaot activity – which emphasized cooperation between the campers for the success of the tasks, and we also enjoyed making bread on the saj.

 

 

During this time, the campers were able to make new connections, get to know the other’s culture and language – and above all internalized that we are all human.

 

On the last day of the summer camp, a festive and exciting “closing party” was held in the evening at Open House, attended by parents and campers along with the summer camp staff.

 

 

During the party, the campers danced, sang and participated in artistic activities led by Mary Manasa, on the theme of ‘my dream’.

 

 

At the end of the evening, we watched a short video summarizing the summer camp, and were treated to various delicacies.