SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
In efforts to empower all segments of society by strengthening community capabilities, enhancing skills and creativity, the Ministry of Culture has launched its annual “Summer Camp”, which will run through the end of July.
Partnering with institutions, organisations, experts, and specialists from various fields, the camp, in its fifth edition, features a total of 234 events, including workshops, discussions, cultural performances, training courses, and guided tours.
Aligning with the UAE’s youth investment goals, the camp promotes skill development and cultural identity.
Moreover, the camp incorporates the latest knowledge trends to boost their impact on the UAE’s future progress.
The 2024 Summer Camp offers a supportive space for all ages, from six-year olds to elderly participants over 60.
The collaborative participating organisations and institutions in the summer camp represent a broad spectrum across the UAE.
A variety of interests and skills are covered in the camp’s workshops.
Arts and crafts sessions are available for participants to explore plaster moulds, sustainable bag design, drawing with coffee, painting from sustainable materials, pottery decoration, doll making with Emirati identity, and traditional games manufacturing.
Participants can also attend educational sessions on short story writing, sea fishing methods, Diwani script, chess basics, and Office 365.
Workshops promoting sustainability focus on themes such as a plastic bag-free future, environmental awareness, recycling arts, and sustainable green environment initiatives.
Creative pursuits involve perfume making inspired by Emirati culture, canvas art, Italian pizza dough secrets, and pottery making arts.
Furthermore, sessions are available on topics such as cyber security, artificial intelligence in media, and professional product photography, and many others.
Participants can choose from a broad selection of specialised courses that cater to various interests and skills.
Performing arts and theatre sessions offer exploration of actor techniques, expressive arts, short film making, scenography, theatrical makeup and theatrical directing.
For those interested in visual arts and photography, there are courses like Lens and Artist, Art of Creating Cinematic Images, and Rubik’s Cube.
Sports and fitness options encompass badminton and archery, along with an introduction to Martial Arts.
The camp also offers culinary and lifestyle courses as well as media and communication skills.
The workshops of the summer camp are hosted at the Ministry of Culture’s Creative Centres spread across several locations.
These include Abu Dhabi Creative Hub in Al Dhafrah, Ajman Creative Hubs in Al Jerf and Alsafia, Al Fujairah Creative Hubs in Masafi and Al Hlaifat, Ras Al Khaimah Creative Hubs in Al Dhait, Al Nakheel, and Al Ghail, and Umm Al Quwain Creative Hubs in Al Salamah and Falaj Al Mulla.