Some two thousand children took part in the initiative promoted by the vicariate. The camps provided an opportunity to play, learn and grow in faith. Sharing experiences in a migrant reality is fundamental, building a Church on the move and synodal. For Archbishop Martinelli, participants “experienced the freedom of life”.

Abu Dhabi (AsiaNews) – “The summer camp was truly a wonderful experience. I enjoyed all the fun games, the outings, and especially the faith teaching sessions that helped me get closer to Jesus,” said Christine, a young participant in the camp in Ruwi, Muscat parish, Oman.

"It is a blessing to have this opportunity for our children to learn and grow in Jesus and in the Church. My children had a lot of fun,” said a happy mother from Ras Al Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), speaking of the unforgettable moments of joy and spiritual preparation her children experienced.

Children, parents, and even volunteers praised the summer camps promoted by the Vicariate of Southern Arabia (UAE, Yemen, and Oman), which brought together thousands of children and young people from the Gulf region.

One volunteer educator from Ruwi-Muscat, Ansgar, called it a "rewarding experience", while another, from Ras Al Khaimah, took even a leave of absence from work to live this experience: "Their love, smile and cheerful heart taught me a lot,” he said.

For parishes in the UAE and Oman, summer camps represent an event of fundamental importance, given the weather and the economic situation of families, most of whom are migrants.

This year about 2,000 children took part in the initiative, made possible also by the dedication and support of local priests, not to mention the hundreds of volunteers.

Even the vicar, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, paid a visit to see with his own eyes the activities organised by the various parishes.

During the summer holidays, when school and catechism are over and parents have to work or cannot afford travel and holidays, while the weather is stifling hot, the parishes organise camps that range from seven to 30 days for children and teenagers.

The camps have various purposes: keep participants spiritually active with prayers, songs, lessons, and games centred on faith and liturgy; keep them physically active with sports and trips; stimulate their creativity through arts and crafts, games, and talent competitions; and encourage them to be socially active by allowing them to meet friends and make new ones.

The positive factors do not apply only to families, educators, children, and volunteers, but also benefit the parishes themselves and community life.

Sharing experiences takes on a profound meaning for people who live far from their countries of origin, and who, as migrants, find themselves facing new realities. Indeed, this experience becomes an opportunity for communion between people from different linguistic groups and rites.

Capuchin Fr Chito, a parish priest in Abu Dhabi, expressed his "joy to see children of different nationalities enjoying the friendship they established during the camp.”

Building a migrant and synodal Church, he added, "is visible in the lives of children who walk together, learn from each other, appreciate and accept their differences, united in a single faith that builds a culture of harmonious life.”

Recently, Bishop Martinelli sent a letter to volunteers who participated or are still involved in summer camps in the different parishes, some of whom he met in the UAE and Oman.

“After a year of study and work," he writes, "instead of going on vacation, you chose to dedicate your time to the children who attend the parish" and "not for a day or two, but for at least three weeks."

You are both "normal" and "extraordinary",  he said, stressing “your commitment and witness” in his address to young people. "You have experienced the joy of dedicating your life to others, the little ones.” Thus, following “Jesus, you have imitated him.”

“You have experienced the freedom of life,” which is “a precious gift of God" but one that is "fulfilled only when we give it in turn.” It is also a “call to love" and "a vocation to friendship with Jesus and a gift of oneself to others."

A group of volunteers, linked to the parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Ruwi, Oman, wrote a letter to Bishop Martinelli to express their appreciation of the experience.

“With everyone bringing their own experiences, the motivation that moves us is always to give children a moment of fun, joy, and faith. Although, we must admit, we also do it a little for our joy and amusement,” they write.

"However, thanks to your letter, we realised that summer camp volunteering is much more than showing up and doing a job; for the first time, we looked at it as an experience of the Word of God,” the volunteers’ letter goes on to say.

“We can now see that even though the summer camp was challenging, the joy we experienced and continue to experience is indescribable, and that is exactly what it means to follow the Lord.”

• ecclesia
• asia
• southern arabia
• summer camps
• bishop paolo martinelli
• vicariate
• migrants