“Camp Gives Kids a Place to be Free”

For many kids, summer activities are one of the highlights of their year. For Israeli youth, who have experienced trauma and disruption over the past three years, this is especially true. In the HaNoar Haoved VeHalomed youth movement (NOAL), Kayetzet  (a short summer camp) is a chance to spend three full days with their friends, celebrate everything they've shared throughout the year, and experience the fun of camp together with a supportive community.

This year, participants in grades 4-6 from around 12 branches across the Misgav region came together at NOAL’s campsite in the Choresh forest. The camp is led by teen leaders in 10th and 11th grade, with 12th grader there to support and mentor the younger leaders.

The days are busy! Kids build structures out of logs and rope as part of building their campsite, take part in activities and discussions, eat together, sleep outdoors with their friends and spend as much time enjoying the great outdoors as possible. This year's theme, The Exodus from Egypt, was present throughout the camp, with various activities and games exploring ideas of freedom and liberation.

“This theme was especially poignant, because it’s so clear to see that after a difficult year, the kids themselves feel so free at camp,” said Hannah, a coordinator of one of the branches.

What makes NOAL’s camp special is the time spent together. During the year, participants usually meet with their cohort once a week. On kayetzet, they're together for three full days. They eat every meal together, work on projects together, spend evenings together and celebrate the end of their school year with their teen leaders who have lead them all year.

Kayetzet is just as important for the teen leaders. Leading younger kids for three days is very different from running a weekly program. It gives the teens the opportunity to take on more responsibility, while learning from experienced 12th graders who are there to guide and support them. In that way, the camp is also a place where the next generation of youth movement leaders continues to grow.

At a time when routine and community are more important than ever, NOAL’s kayetzet offers a meaningful few days for young people to be together, challenge themselves, learn from one another and enjoy being part of a community. It's an experience that many kids look forward to all year, and one that stays with them long after camp has finished.