2009 Press Releases
Summer Fun and Learning Come Together at the U.S. Consulate’s General “Camp Discovery”
July 28, 2009
Jerusalem
For the third consecutive year, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem is sponsoring Camp Discovery for youth in the West Bank and Gaza. More than 450 Palestinians ages 8-14 from refugee camps and disadvantaged communities are participating in Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Hebron and Gaza City. The summer camps are administered by Amideast in partnership with several local organizations including UNRWA, Al-Muntada Young Scientists’ Club, Young Artists’ Forum, and Basma Society for Culture and Arts.
Young Palestinians participating in Camp Discovery are encouraged to celebrate learning, creativity, and academic inquiry by participating in scientific research, artistic expression and English language study that takes them beyond the bounds of the traditional school curriculum. They also engage in activities that promote values of leadership, teamwork and community service. Camp Discovery will culminate in each community with a presentation for friends and family to showcase the participants’ achievements during the two-week camp.
During a visit to Camp Discovery, the U.S. Consulate General’s Cultural Affairs Officer, Cynthia Harvey, praised Camp Discovery participants and teachers for choosing to engage in such meaningful and important summer activities. She noted, “Summertime is a fun time for any child. I hope that the youth participating in Camp Discovery will see that learning can be fun and that they discover new talents while striving to reach their full potential.”
Mahmoud Mansour, a 13 year-old participant in Ramallah, raved about his experiences at Camp Discovery, saying that he found a session on Martin Luther King, Jr. particularly moving. He said, “We all have the power deep inside ourselves to make a difference in Palestine, just like Martin Luther King, Jr. did in the United States.” Mansour also expressed excitement at being able to conduct real scientific experiments in the Camp Discovery science classrooms, including projects that explore the concepts of magnetic attraction and electricity.
The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem emphasizes creating opportunities for Palestinian youth to learn new skills and participate in the building of the future state of Palestine. This summer, the U.S. Consulate General and U.S. Government are supporting educational youth camps throughout the West Bank and Gaza in partnership with various Palestinian organizations.
For more information please contact the U.S. Consulate’s Press Office at 02-622-6908 or 02-622-6909
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