ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, in cooperation with the Emirates Scout Association, and in strategic partnership with the Department of Community Development and the Department of Education and Knowledge, is set to launch the first edition of the Marba’aniya Camp from January 16-25, 2026, at the Al Bait Metwahhid Camp in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra Region.

The initiative forms part of an integrated programme that brings together the authenticity of Emirati heritage and the values of the global scouting movement.

The youth camp targets youth from both citizens and residents aged 12 to 15, offering a distinctive experience aimed at building a generation proud of its identity and capable of assuming social responsibility.

The organisation of the camp aligns with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority’s strategy, which envisions a cohesive society that is deeply rooted in its identity and values while taking pride in its authentic heritage. 

The initiative plays a vital role in strengthening national identity and enhancing cultural awareness among younger generations. The project also supports the Abu Dhabi Government’s Identity and Culture and Adolescents and Youth strategies, reflecting a unified national commitment to investing in human capital and nurturing a generation that is aware of its responsibilities towards the nation and the community.

Through this initiative, the authority seeks to deepen young people’s connection to the values of Al Sana’ and Emirati heritage, while refining their leadership skills through an immersive experience of the UAE’s desert environment. 

This approach draws inspiration from the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in preserving the nation’s authentic heritage, as reflected in his statement: “We are keen on preserving authentic traditions and heritage, no matter how far we progress in civilisation.”

The event aims to engage 2,000 participants, including 300 male Emiratis and residents (aged 12 to 15) who will take part in a full overnight camping experience across two weekends: January 16-18 and January 23–25.

The Daily Visitor programme will welcome 1,200 government school students from January 19-22, 2026, providing an intensive introduction to the camp’s core mission and its educational and national objectives. The programme also welcomes 400 daily visitors from families and community members throughout the camp period.

The camp is organised to coincide with the 19th edition of the Al Dhafra Festival, which features a diverse programme of cultural and heritage activities. Participants benefit from these experiences through daily visits during the camp days. Highlights include camel beauty competitions, Mahalib contests, Saluki and Arabian horse shows, as well as other activities such as Shillat Al Dhafra, falconry displays, traditional tea-making, coffee gatherings, and various interactive events that enrich students’ knowledge while connecting them to Al Sanaa values and the UAE’s rich heritage.

The camp provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to engage with authentic Emirati traditions. Beyond the camp gates, participants will explore the festival’s diverse highlights, including the renowned camel Mazayna, camel milking competitions, Saluki and Arabian horse beauty contests, as well as other activities such as Shillat Al Dhafra, falcon beauty contests, traditional tea-making and coffee gatherings. These are complemented by interactive experiences that deepen students’ knowledge and immerse them in Al Sana’s values and the UAE’s rich cultural heritage.

The Al Marba’aniya Camp is underpinned by a strategic vision to cultivate national identity, loyalty, and a profound sense of belonging. At their core is the revitalisation of Al Sana’, the authentic Emirati code of conduct, which serves as both a moral compass and a benchmark for contemporary ethics. The camp also focuses on empowering future leaders by instilling self-reliance, teamwork, and community initiative (Al Faz‘ah), while positioning the desert as an open classroom for experiential learning and personal development.

Aligned with the UAE’s Year of Family, the camp provides opportunities for families to visit and for parents to participate in selected activities. This strengthens family bonds and community cohesion, transforming the camp into a shared space where generations can unite through their common heritage, ensuring that national pride and Emirati identity remain at the heart of the family experience.

The camp features six key stations that blend heritage with scouting skills. These include the Zayed’s Legacy station, introducing participants to the history of the UAE and the journey of its founding leaders; the Emirati Sana station, which focuses on etiquette in majlis gatherings and traditional coffee practices; and the Desert Life Skills station, where students learn camel riding and develop practical skills for engaging with the desert environment. 

Additional stations include Camping Skills, Desert Observation and Star Gazing, and Scouting for Sustainable Development, which immerse participants in sustainability, environmental responsibility, and humanitarian action.

Students in the overnight camp are divided into sub-camps titled Courage, Generosity, Loyalty, and Chivalry. Students will engage in a variety of activities over several days, beginning with the Foundation and Scouting Identity Building phase, followed by the Desert Adventure, Back to the Roots, and Skill Empowerment and Sustainability. The camp concludes with a graduation day, which features tree planting, traditional folk arts, parental participation, and distribution of certificates and medals.

The camp operates under the theme Al Marba’aniya Camp: Our Heritage, Our Trust, which serves as the project’s intellectual and educational framework. This theme represents a moral commitment and a national duty toward future generations, grounded in the belief that Emirati heritage is not merely a narrative of the past, but a guide for the future and a compass for identity in a changing world. It embodies the concept of trust in passing on the values, customs, Sana’, and life skills inherited from our founding fathers and ancestors, passing them to the youth in a pure, authentic, and dynamic form, so they may become their new guardians.

The camp brings heritage to life, turning it from a theoretical concept into daily practice through hands-on activities such as preparing Arabic coffee, observing majlis etiquette, and studying the stars. These experiences cultivate values of generosity, respect, knowledge, and discernment, while reinforcing both cultural and environmental sustainability.

The Marba’aniya Camp features a structured system of badges and medals for youth, designed to encourage positive engagement, reinforce Al Sana’s values, and motivate participants to demonstrate commitment and achievement. The Marba’aniya Camp Medal, the highest honour of the camp, is awarded according to educational criteria, including earning specialised scouting badges, such as Emirati Sana and Desert Insight, as well as active participation in heritage programmes and field workshops. 

The system operates through a Camp Passport, where participants collect stamps for each activity and accomplishment, which are validated by the committee. This approach cultivates a strong culture of achievement, discipline, and motivation among the youth.

The organisation of the Marba’aniya Camp embodies an integrated national vision that seeks to instil a strong sense of belonging and pride in Emirati heritage. The programme reinforces the bond between youth and their history and identity, empowering them as active contributors to sustainable development and future leaders who harmoniously combine authenticity with modernity.

The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority allows the public to book for participation in the daily visits of Al Marba’aniya Camp via: https://forms.gle/6RfPRGAjLWMkvSe69