More than 600 girls and boys from across the emirates are participating in the Watani 2009 summer camp, the highest number of participants in the history of the UAE national identity programme. The camp, which runs from 8am to 6pm five days a week, began this week and continues until August 6.
Open to 7- to 14-year-olds of any nationality living in the UAE, the camps are designed to allow kids to experience aspects of the UAE cultural identify and rediscover their own identities and abilities. The eight-week camps, held at the Ibda’a School for girls and the American International School for boys, will involve kids in various activities including artistic creativity, robotics, photography, automotive mechanics, and Archeology. These activities were introduced to develop the children’s creativity, self-esteem and team spirit.
Commenting on the turn out for the 2009 summer camp, Ahmed Al Mansoori, Director General of Watani, said:
“This year’s demand underscores the reputation Watani Camps have gained among kids and parents during the last two years. We offer kids the chance to discover themselves and their country through fun and enjoyable activities, such as visits to the desert, where the children will get a first-hand experience of Bedouin customs, and a trip to the Al Ain and Al Jahli castles.”
A new addition to this year’s camps is The Junior National Identity Ambassadors programme, which will select 30 boys and girls out of the 600 to become part of the programme, designed to encourage young boys and girls to become community leaders.