Older Children Summer Camp 2023

In the second week of July, the first summer camp took place in Deir Rafat.

The camp was intended for youth aged 13 and up.

The theme of the camp was the same as the theme of the Festival and the World Youth Day in Lisbon - "Miriam got up and quickly went to the mountain region, to one of the cities of Judah" (Luke 1:39). The Pope, in his message to young people for Youth Day, said that they are not only the future of the Church but also her present, and that they must be active - get up and do something.

We decided to connect with the Pope's words for the young people and also with the theme of the Festival. Throughout the camp, the youth embarked on a journey - both as a group and individually. In this journey, the young people had to connect with themselves, find their goals for the future, connect with each other, and understand each one's own personal path, so that they could be active in their lives and in the life of the church.

On the first day of the summer camp, the young people were divided into groups. Through an activity similar to finding a treasure, each group had to identify a color that represented them. Using the materials they received, they had to create an anthem, a motto, and a name for their group. This was the starting point of their journey as a group.

After this, they participated in three workshops. In one of them, with Father Benny, they learned about the verse that was the theme of the camp (Luke 1:39). In the second workshop, led by Johanna, they learned how to express their feelings in writing poetry, both personally and towards each other, just as Miriam did in her meeting with Elisabeth. The third workshop, with Monica, allowed them to emotionally connect with their goals in life and understand the place of Jesus in their lives - how He guides them along the way and what He symbolizes for them.

In addition, the summer camp naturally included prayers, fun games, group activities, competitions, movies, and of course, great food.

On the third day of the summer camp, the participants took part in a workshop prepared by an outside organization called ECOPEACE. The organization focuses on preserving the quality of the environment and unites young people from different religions and sectors through a common goal of creating "peace" while protecting the environment. We brought this workshop to show our young people that this is another way to be active - that even through the small things each of us does in our lives, we can make a change and influence the entire environment.

The activity was extremely successful, and the young people truly enjoyed themselves, participated, and listened. The workshop included both theoretical and practical components. Many thanks to ECOPEACE for agreeing to come and conduct the workshop, and we look forward to more collaboration in the future!

The peak of the journey was on Wednesday evening, just before the Festival (amidst all the preparations and rehearsals for the next day). During this part of the journey, the young people had to go through 5 stations (according to their groups), each directing them to find their personal goals and the direction of their future path.

The 1st station: "There is nothing that stands in the way of dreams." At this station, each young person had to navigate an obstacle course where, at the end, they would find a box with a golden key that they had to locate. This station symbolized life itself - the obstacles that each of them faces on their journey and the necessity to find the key to move forward.

The 2nd station: "Tools market for the road." In this station, each young person received a sum of money and had to buy values that were hanging on the wall - values that were important to them and would advance them on their own path. If certain values were already taken by someone else, they could negotiate with the "seller" and purchase them. This station symbolized the fact that each of us lives our lives according to the values we've acquired along the way, whether from home, church, friends, etc., and these values are an integral part of each of our personal journeys.

The 3rd station: "Mirror on the wall." At this station, each participant was given a mirror and some materials to create their own mirror according to how they see themselves or how they would like to see themselves. This station symbolized the present and the future character.

The 4th station: "Smile because a smile is joy, and joy is the strength to continue." At this station, everyone received a part of a puzzle, and they had to draw or write things that made them happy or brought a smile to their faces. At the end of the station, they had to put the puzzle pieces together. This station symbolized the power of optimism and joy - the things that give us the strength to continue are the things that make us happy and provide energy for everyone's personal journey. Additionally, when all our parts come together as a group, they create a complete picture full of light and joy. That means we need not only ourselves but also others.

The 5th station: "I say a little prayer for you." At this station, each participant received a section called "good words," and after reading it together, they had to take a note from a basket with the names of the group members written on it and write a letter or an encouraging poem to continue - providing good words that would guide them on their way and in their personal journey.

This station symbolized the fact that each of us needs kind words and someone to push us forward so that we can make the journey and achieve our goals in the future.

At the end, when all the groups completed the stations, they arrived at the final station together. Ships were waiting for each group, according to its color, and each group had to take their ship and write about all the things they collected along the stations - three goals for the future. The ship symbolized that when the captain and crew of a ship have goals and direction, it is easier for them to reach their destination. Similarly, in their lives, when they have goals and know where they want to go, it will be much easier for them to navigate through life. Having goals in life makes it easier to be active, as the Pope asked the young people.

The highlight of the summer camp was, of course, the festival that took place on Thursday, attended by other groups besides our young people.

We concluded the summer camp on Friday - on this day, we cleaned up after the festival, wrapped up, and summarized the entire experience.

A huge "THANK YOU" to the volunteers: Monica, Connie, Timea, Johanna, Michael, Luisa, Rosario, Neta, Luca, John, Tomer, Noah, Jessa, Jeremy, Yucel, Joshua, Jin, Zehavit.

We would like to thank the Aid to the Church in Need for the financial support.