Hundreds of children and youth are joining the summer academy
 

The ICB received more than 500 applications of children and youth for the recent summer academy. Although the center expected and was prepared for almost 250 participants, at least 350 children and youth could register. These figures show the big need and interest of the young people and their families in Bethlehem. Three month vacation is a really long time ‘off’ and a challenge for children, youth, parents – and for the staff of the ICB. Until the last moment the responsible team was coping with all the logistics and preparations.

Almost five weeks and every day (except Sunday) the participants can choose out of a variety of activities:

-          Sport games, self defense and swimming courses

-          Music, dance and theatre

-          Painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and mosaic

-          Photography and Computer games

-          Cooking and chess

-          Trips and special events

In an environment of increased violence and depression our activities focus on expressing the emotions, thoughts and visions of the young people and offering space for relaxation and fun. There for the ICB developed the Bright Stars project and the summer academy with a creative, holistic approach and a large variety of techniques to motivate and stretch the children’s imaginations and possibilities.
 

Beside the summer academy the children and youth gather in different art, music, sports, communication and environmental clubs according to their talents and gifts. The children are encouraged to develop these gifts and talents. Our hope is that, during all our activities, they discover themselves as Bright Stars in art, music, sports, communication and environment.

The age of the children and youth participating in this program are between 6-16. They are Christians and Muslims, girls and boys. They come from different parts of the Bethlehem District, including Beit Jala, Beit Sahour.

The aims of our summer academy and Bright stars program are:

• Developing the children’s and youth artistic, creative, aesthetic, and physical potential
• Introducing the children and youth to self-based learning, which enables them to discover their creative strengths, talents, and interests.
• Helping the children and youth to express their thoughts and feelings in various ways.
• Showing the children and youth different alternatives that they have when planning their future professional lives.
•  Promoting the children's and youth self-confidence by acknowledging their work.
• Contributing to the individual development of each child and youth.

 “Our aim is that our children, who admire stars, will dare to look up, to dream, to have goals to strive for, to work out their traumas and develop a new sense of community, beauty, and faith” - Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb