Most of the children were already enrolled in Meir Panim’s after-school youth clubs. WithoutMeir Panim, many of their families could not afford to send their children to summer camp. The Meir Panim summer program offers fun and educational activities for he children in a relaxed and supportive setting.

If not for the summer camps, many of these kids would be home alone, or wandering the streets,” said David Roth, President of American Friends of Meir Panim. “Day camp ensures that the children are spending their vacation in a safe, stable and fun environment.

In addition to activities such as swimming, arts & crafts and sports, the day camps feature exciting field trips and special workshops.

Here are some of the highlights of this unforgettable summer:

• Trips to Superland amusement park and other theme parks
• Jerusalem Day: Campers visited the Western Wall, enjoyed treats from local vendors in the Old City and capped off their day with a visit to the Biblical Zoo.
• Road Safety Day: Campers were taught invaluable skills on how to keep safe on the often dangerous, city streets.
• Baking Day: Campers were involved in an interactive baking workshop where they tasted and created a varied menu including crepes, pizza and other ethnic foods.

One counselor reported, “We see these kids all year, but this summer, there was an exceptional joy in their eyes, something difficult to describe. It was special – organized and lots of fun – on a very high level.”

Esther, a fifth-grader attending a Meir Panim day camp, was interviewed on Army Radio. “This was THE experience of my life,” she said. “Nowhere would I have gotten so much. I just wanted to say thank you.”