
“I dreamed of riding a bicycle and when I came to this camp, my dream came true.”
– Somaya, Khuza’a, Gaza, Summer 2023
Summer Camps 2023

This summer, MECA has supported the most summer camps ever—14 locations in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, with more than 2,200 children and youth participating.
That means 2,200 children getting the chance to swim, make art, learn traditional crafts and dance, play sports, ride bikes, and just be children.
This year, before the camps began in July, several of our partners expressed the need for more support in how to address the psychological distress Palestinian children are living with. So MECA’s mental health partner provided training for summer camp staff & volunteers to help them:
-Lead art and story-telling activities that allow children to express their feelings, memories and needs.
-Run cooperative games and sports to build connections among children and between children and adults.
-Communicate empathy, caring, and openness through words and non-verbal action.
-Understand children’s developmental stages and interact appropriately
-Provide leadership training for adolescent girls.
That means 2,200 children getting the chance to swim, make art, learn traditional crafts and dance, play sports, ride bikes, and just be children.
This year, before the camps began in July, several of our partners expressed the need for more support in how to address the psychological distress Palestinian children are living with. So MECA’s mental health partner provided training for summer camp staff & volunteers to help them:
-Lead art and story-telling activities that allow children to express their feelings, memories and needs.
-Run cooperative games and sports to build connections among children and between children and adults.
-Communicate empathy, caring, and openness through words and non-verbal action.
-Understand children’s developmental stages and interact appropriately
-Provide leadership training for adolescent girls.
Locations

We supported summer camps in 14 locations all over Palestine including Masafer Yatta, East Jerusalem, Gaza City, and other villages and refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza
Special Girls Empowerment Camps

We organized three very special summer camps for adolescent girls in Gaza focused on sports, health, and empowerment! These unique camps were made possible thanks to The Big Ride for Palestine. Watch the video to learn more!
https://www.mecaforpeace.org/video-summer-sports-leadership-camps-for-girls-in-gaza/
https://www.mecaforpeace.org/video-summer-sports-leadership-camps-for-girls-in-gaza/