Kids4Peace 2004

In a bold initiative, each July, twelve Israeli and Palestinian children from Jerusalem arrive in Georgia to spend 10 days with twelve children from Atlanta in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia.

The kids engage in a series of activities and learning experiences focusing on the three faith traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Day by day, playing together, living and eating together, learning about each other, and participating in the fun activities natural to any summer camp, these children break through the boundaries of language, culture and their diverse faith backgrounds. For the children from Jerusalem, this encounter is deepened by the added opportunity to reach across the political divide between Israeli and Palestinian kids, a divide which in their homeland amounts to a total segregation of their lives, and adds to the conflict in their home region. Instinctive fears and suspicions are set aside in the safe and supportive atmosphere of Camp Mikell. For the children from Atlanta, this experience allows them to develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and faiths, dispelling preconceived stereotypes and discovering the common heritage they share with these children from half way around the world.

Kids4Peace took the camp by storm, singing our chant, "Everywhere we go..."

Johny learned to make a whistle from a blade of grass.

Amichai, Shaul, Michal and Ayelet tried s'mores for the first time!!!

The boys enjoyed playing drums from the West Bank.

Johny and Bashar cooled off under a waterfall...

...while Josie, Sarah and Archer chilled out at the end of the day.

Ahmad and Hagop "supervised" as the girls put the finishing touches on the Giant Peace Dove.

We presented the Abraham Tent, a celebration of our three faith traditions, to the whole camp on the last night.

Danny and Shaul found even "KP" can be fun when you're working together with friends.

Jeremy presented a t-shirt to Bishop Alexander as we named him an honorary Kid4Peace and a "real cool cat".