Summer Camps Protection, Leraning and Fun!

1.3 Importance of Child Participation
The core principles of summer camp activities should reflect the foundations and 
vision of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), 
in particular promoting the best interest of the child as well as child participation 
and empowerment. The principle of participation requires that children should be 
provided with a suitable environment and opportunities to express their wishes and 
opinions regarding activities, including choosing whether to attend a summer camp 
or not, without feeling obliged to do so. This process is very important but delicate 
since it requires children to be informed in advance, be included in discussions and 
be well informed about the purpose of activities and opportunities offered by the 
summer camp.
The concept of participation and involvement of children begins with the notion 
that children are not passive or helpless and without capacity. Rather, this principle 
recognizes children as capable and active communicators who participate and are 
involved in activities that affect the improvement of their general welfare. This 
participation also occurs vertically between children and the organization/institution 
and horizontally between the children themselves through processes focused on 
child-to-child interaction.
Summer camps provide an excellent opportunity for entertainment and learning for all 
children. For children in need particularly, summer camps offer a unique opportunity 
to break away from their difficult life circumstances, even temporarily, and to be able 
to enjoy their childhood.
At the same time, summer camp activities enable children to develop important 
psycho-social skills essential in creating positive and healthy relationships with 
their peers and reliable adults, within a safe and supportive environment. By being 
part of the summer camps, children also have the opportunity to be involved in 
many entertaining activities such as psycho-social games, drawing classes, dancing, 
singing, outdoor excursions, visits to museums, theatrical activities and historical and 
archaeological site seeing.