During the summer months of July, August and September, 2008, the National Children’s Office of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania organized daily camps for children 6 – 12 years old in eight (8) different neighborhoods of Tirana. These camps were offered mostly in neighborhoods where the children come from disadvantages families and where the possibilities of holding such activities during the year are few.
The theme of these camps was “God Created Me with Love.” The camp program was composed of small group discussions in which the children learned about the great love that God has for each of us, and for the love and respect that we should show to one another.
Games, songs, and arts and crafts projects related with the theme of the camp were also part of this program. During the small group discussions, the children had an opportunity to participate and receive instruction, not only verbally, but also visually. The neighborhoods, where these camps were organized, were in Selitë, Porcelan, Kodra e Priftit, Rrugica e Çamëve. Komuna e Parisit, Allijas, Laprakë and Uzina Dinamo. Approximately 350 children participated.
The number of these neighborhood camps increase every year, because children receive both education and are entertained.
Now, it has become a tradition that on the last day of the camp that the children organize a mini-festival for their parents, and they perform songs, poems and stories which express all the lessons that they have learned during the camp.
These camps have been very beneficial because they provide entertainment and educational opportunities for the children, and are conducted by the well trained and prepared staff of the National Children’s Office. Another reason why the neighborhood summer camps are so beneficial is because they offer an opportunity for the children and their parents to share a very happy experience together. Each morning when the parents brought their children to the camps, many of them expressed to the staff members very positive opinions about the program and its values.
Prepared and translated by Ana Kërçyku
Edited by Anastasia Pamela Barksdale
