The front gate of the Seeds of Peace International Camp greets campers and visitors alike at the campground in Otisfield, Maine.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part in a series by Static Writer Kaitlyn McMahon that chronicles her experience at a unique camp this summer.
The first night, I sat on the bottom bunk bed listening intently to my counselors, eyes wide as they explained a bit of what we were about to experience in the next two weeks. In the cabin (Bunk 8, our humble abode), there were seven other girls: Janet from Texas, Jess from Chicago, Kavita from Georgia, Safi from Egypt, Sarah from Yemen, Nouf from Kuwait and Shatha from Jordan.
I fell asleep anxious for the days ahead, unsure of what to expect or how I would fare in this new environment.
In the beginning, Seeds of Peace camp was a complete culture shock for me—I was living and playing games and speaking with people whose lives were completely different from mine. These Muslims and Arabs, who I had learned to stereotype since 9/11, became my closest friends. They were just like me: teenagers who loved life, loved to have fun and who had come to camp with open minds.
One of the most important elements of camp was our dialogue sessions. We were split into six groups with two professional facilitators assigned to each. I was a part of dialogue group E, which had four Arabs and six Americans, all of whom had very diverse outlooks on the world. Group E talked about everything from religion, to women’s rights in Arab countries, to the war in Iraq, to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to President Bush, to racism in the United States.
We wanted to spend each of our 1 1/2-hour-long sessions communicating and learning, soaking in all the information we could.
Mealtimes were also a unique Seeds experience. We started out with a “grace,” which we all recited at the top of our lungs: “For friendship, health, love and opportunity, we are thankful.” Each table in the dining hall sat eight campers and two counselors.
This table was different than most I’d been at; here, discussion of religion and politics was encouraged. Some of the most interesting conversations I had at camp were at meals, like when Jules, who was Jewish, explained to me exactly what kosher was and what it meant.
Another great one was when George and I got into a debate about President Bush during which I said, “Let’s not get into politics.” Our table counselor Kevin asked me, “why not?”
Bunk 8, my home away from home, became a favorite place of mine. All the girls in my bunk had great personalities, and the eight of us together had chemistry. Our counselors, Mandy and Fadia, taught all of us how to knit on one rainy night, and soon knitting was everyone’s favorite hobby. We also spent a good deal of time dancing to Arabic music and belting out Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” (which all the Arab girls knew).
The best time was when we made up a song about our rivalry with Bunk 6. We were always laughing and being silly.
Every morning we woke up at 7 to the camp director (and Seeds of Peace Vice President) Tim Wilson ringing the loudest bell I’ve ever heard and shouting, “All up!” Though unsettling the first few days, I grew to love our wake-up call.
At 7:30, we’d walk to the “line up” area, a group of benches where we sat with our bunk three times a day so that Wilson could make announcements. Before breakfast, he always gave us something to think about and strive for.
Wilson is the kind of person everyone respects—he doesn’t mince words, he doesn’t play games and he loves every kid who ever walked through the camp gates. He played a big role in every part of camp: Of course he was the boss, but he was also constantly present. Wilson helped us to get our heads on straight and to realize what an important opportunity we had at Seeds of Peace.
Something truly amazing about Seeds of Peace is that everyone at camp is equal. We were all on a first name basis—there was no need for titles or labels. We were encouraged to ask as many questions and be as honest as we pleased, and above all else to value our experience.
After the first week of getting acquainted with everything camp had to offer, I was determined to cherish every moment of the next week and every moment I had to spend with my new friends.