Peace & Reconciliation Camp

Each summer, the PCFF holds a youth camp for peace and Reconciliation in several locations around Israel. The activity, which began in 2003, brings together 40 Israeli and Palestinian teens, aged 14 to 18, for five days of shared experiences, in order to help dispel stereotypes and create the team of leaders of the next generation. Through shared trips, activities and workshops, the participants are exposed to the culture, lifestyle and customs of both sides. This meeting lets these teenagers find out in a direct and intimate manner how their peers on the other side of the fence live – what they think about, their dreams and what they have in common and their differences.
Throughout the camp, the teens participate in dialogue circles where they share their thoughts and feelings, and learn to listen to each other and respect different opinions. The groups are led by two instructors, Israeli and Palestinian, and through them, the teens communicate with one another, despite their different languages. The camp counselors are young adults who, as youth, participated in the program in past years.
The summer program provides its participants with a variety of activities:

• A dialogue meeting: A meeting with two PCFF members, an Israeli and a Palestinian, who share their personal bereavement story and their journey to chose reconciliation and dialogue over hatred and revenge. In the discussion afterwards, the teens can ask the members questions, and at the end of the meeting the participants have time for emotional processing of the discussion and experience.
• Field trips and community connection: Each summer program is held in a different location in Israel, exposing the participants to the history, the narrative and the unique culture of the place. Program participants engage in activities in the community they are visiting, while expanding the outreach of the PCFF activities.
• At the beach and at the pool: Every year, participants also enjoy visiting the swimming pool and the beach. For Palestinian members, it’s an especially exciting and happy experience, since most of them don’t have access to the beach.
• ODT (Out Door Training): A special ice-breaking activity that relaxes and empowers the participants. Through group games out in the open air, these teenagers merge as a group, their trust strengthens, they work in teams, develop leadership skills and much more.
• The Colors of Life game: A board game which was specifically prepared by the youth programs staff and aims to forge a “team spirit” and for participants to get better acquainted. The game includes cards with different topics, personal questions, general knowledge questions and group tasks, that allow the participants to get to know each other. The game was created with the support of the Spanish organization: Irenia, Peace Games.