7339
children and youth participated in the 63 summer camps arranged
by Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) this summer. The camps
were arranged by the youth and volunteers unit in cooperation
with the psychological heath unit, the rehabilitation unit,
the disaster preparedness unit and other units of the PRCS.
The camps took place between 28 June and 30 August. 52 of the
camps were for children aged 6 – 12, and nine of these
aimed to mix children with special needs with other children.
Furthermore there were 12 camps for the age group 12 –
16 and two camps for 17 – 35 year-olds.
Initially, the plan was to organize 50 summer camps in 2005,
but an increase in the number of PRCS committees as well as
the number of interested participants lead to 13 camps more.
There were camps in all regions of the Gaza Strip and West Bank,
29 in the north zone, 10 in the middle zone, 16 in the south
and 8 in the Gaza Strip. The gender balance was 40% female and
60% male.
The overall objective of the camps was to develop the volunteering
spirit in children and youth and to prepare the participants
to join the volunteer force of the National Society. The programmes
of the camps mainly focused on dissemination of the Fundamental
Principles and humanitarian values; awareness around the dangers
of war remains and landmines; disaster and emergency preparedness;
international humanitarian law; basic first aid and general
health.
The camps also aimed to increase the knowledge on the National
Society and develop the perception of cooperation and of humanitarian
service; develop group-spirit, an understanding of responsibility
and decision-making; decrease the psychological pressure caused
by the current situation in the area; to influence behaviour;
and finally to develop a generation able to act in all situations.
The camps also included recreational activities such as dancing,
painting, drama, sports, poetry, singing, excursions, handicrafts
and discussion forums on topics important for youth.
A specialized camp with focus on disaster preparedness, arranged
for the first time in 2004, was also arranged this year. Arranged
in the desert region of “Al Mosafer” (meaning “the
traveller”), the camp aimed to strengthen the national
disaster response team.
The youth and volunteers’ unit organized a central capacity
building training for the leaders of the summer camps. 150 volunteers
from the different committees in West Bank and Gaza Strip took
part in this training.
Additionally, an evaluation meeting with 50 participants from
the different committees of PRCS was arranged in the aftermath
of the summer camps, to evaluate the work done and to make recommendations
for future camps.
At the end of the camps and the evaluation, it was clear that
the participants had aquired knowledge on the humanitarian mission
and voluntary work of the National Society, international humanitarian
law and the dangers of landmines and war remains. They have
received first aid and disaster preparedness training, while
at the same time getting a break from their daily lives and
the psychological stress that many are constantly under. A summer
camp training guide, distributed to the youth and volunteers
unit, will further ensure the necessary knowledge to continue
the camps. The increase in the number of participants as well
as the high numbers of volunteers recruited for the camps are
important success factors, showing community satisfaction with
the PRCS. The regional and gender balance of the camps and the
important topics in focus are also important successes.
|
 |
 |
|
|
| 7339
children and youth participated in this year's summer
camps arranged by Palestine Red Crescent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The
camp programmes were diverse and contained both practical
and theoretic sessions in addition to recreational activities.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| One
of the recreational activities in the camps was drama. |
|
News
