The school year, as far as children were concerned, ended; but we at Youth Futures prepared ourselves to spend most of the summer with the children. This was based on the clear understanding that this was a time we could offer a diversity of activities for the children. It was very important for us to maintain ongoing contact with the children and their families, precisely during a period when children's time is unstructured. So what exactly did we do this summer
Registering for Summer Camp
During the month of June and prior to the end of the 2007-2008 school year, we began checking with the children: Who was interested in spending the first half of summer vacation at one of the camps operating in the community? At the same time, we worked with the families in order to gain their cooperation, stressing the great importance of children spending time within a structured framework during the summer. With the help of the trustees, a total of 35 children registered for summer camp while another 20 chose other frameworks. We succeeded in coming to an agreement with the Community Center whereby they accepted Youth Futures children from Yokneam to attend summer camp at reduced cost.
To our delight, all of the children who registered for camp enjoyed the experience immensely. Furthermore, it made things much easier for parents knowing their children were in a quality and safe environment, which enabled them to continue with their daily routines. We the trustees, visited the children at camp and were very impressed with the activities and how they engaged the children.
For the sake of children who didn't register for summer camp and were seeking places to get together with friends during the summer, we opened up the Youth Futures Center two mornings and one afternoon a week—offering an assortment of stimulating creative activities. This was in addition to regular weekly group activity.
Home Visits
With the arrival of summer, we decided to devote more time to visiting children at their homes. The fact that children (and often parents) spend many hours at home during this time made it an excellent opportunity for us to have quality time with the children and their families in a more natural and intimate atmosphere.
Morning Activity
For children who didn't register for summer camp, we decided to conduct a regular activity on Sundays and Thursdays: We'd activate two or three activity stations where the children, alternating between them, would work.
Activities at the stations consisted of baking cookies, created magnets with the Youth Futures logo, and various table games - these were the ideal recreational solution for children who weren't part of some sort of structured framework as well as an excellent opportunity for them to socialize. On average, 25 children showed up for activities.
Signpost Game
The 'signpost' game brought together Youth Futures children from all of Yokneam's participating schools and from the Megiddo Regional Council. The children split up into two groups as the first group constructed a track with accompanying tasks and the second group was assigned the mission of going through the track.
The task awaiting the second group at the end of the track was to search for and find the first group (they were hiding in the field). The children exhibited admirable initiative and creativity during this activity and, when it ended, were treated to popsicles that apparently really 'hit the spot'.
Parent-Child Activities
During the year we conducted a series of ten structured meetings focused on the subject of ecological art for the older Youth Futures children (4th and 5th graders). Osnat Moran, a certified art instructor, facilitated the meetings. For the final gathering we decided to invite parents to celebrate the end of the year together with their children. The families expressed their enthusiasm and excitement over the idea and were happy to take part in the meeting.
In order to prepare ourselves for a situation in which, for some reason, neither parent was able to attend (something that could prove to be unpleasant for the child and even prevent his/her participation), we allowed children to attend the gathering with a brother or sister on condition they'd also take part in the activity. Happily, the response among parents was excellent and exceeded expectations. A total of 35 out of 45 children who had taken part in this extracurricular activity arrived for the meeting accompanied by their parents. The final products of the activity: a number of stools specially prepared for the Youth Futures activity center.
The concept Osnat sought to communicate in this and all of the year's meetings was that it is possible (and even recommended) to recycle and use different materials so as to protect the quality of the environment. Furthermore, the fact that so many parents arrived for the meeting proved to us that our work indeed has impact, not solely on children, but also on their families, community, and town.
Movie Night
During one of our hot summer evenings, we brought together Youth Futures children from both communities to take part in another joint activity. This time it was to watch a film together.
While saving the price of admission, we took pains to organize the evening so that the atmosphere was similar to the one in a movie theater - the kids ate popcorn and drank pop... just as if they were attending a movie in town.
Treasure Hunt and Campfire Picnic
For one of the events in our program of summer evening activities, we invited children to go on a treasure hunt through the streets of Yokneam. Here too, the children and trustees split up into two groups that competed against each other. Before getting started, we trustees scattered envelopes in the field, each containing tasks and clues. When everything was ready, the sign was given and everyone set out on the hunt.
The 'treasure trail' ran throughout one of Yokneam's established neighborhood in which the Youth Futures activity center is also located. The children exhibited great determination and effort, joining forces in order to succeed in performing the tasks. A surprise awaited the children at the end of the course - after walking on foot for almost two hours, they were invited to participate in an authentic outdoor kumsitz.
Gathering around the fire, the children baked pita bread and filled them up with different spreads, played group games, and, of course, ate fire-roasted potatoes and onions. For some of the children this was their first kumsitz experience; they had a terrific time playing games around the communal fire.
Joint Activity for YF Children and Federation Representatives
Youth Futures Yokneam-Megiddo operates in cooperation with the Jewish communities of Atlanta and St. Louis within the framework of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program. For one of the numerous visits of community representatives to the region, it was decided to conduct a joint activity for Youth Futures children from Yokneam-Megiddo and guests from the Greater Atlanta Jewish Federation.
Participants in the activity split up into three groups, with each group going into a separate room. Activity centered on different creative themes, affording an excellent opportunity for both sides to cooperate, get to know each other, and enjoy a common experience. The entire gathering was planned and hosted by the Israel Association of Community Centers and was attended by Judy Yuda, the region's Partnership 2000 Director, and Arkady Hasidovich, the Partnership's Living Bridge coordinator. Bernice Malka, Federation Program Coordinator in the region was also present to brief the guests on the many important programs supported in the region by the Atlanta and St. Louis Jewish Federations.
Following the success of the event, we were invited to a similar type event, this time with representatives of visiting federations from a number of U.S. states. In Ben Shemen we met with 15 children as Orit Lin and trustees Gilad and Tal talked about our work in the region and described with pride the special partnership we enjoy with our federations.
Camp Ness Harim
On August 18–20, Youth Futures children from all over Israel departed for summer camp in Ness Harim. The camp experience also consisted of tours in the vicinity of Jerusalem, at sites including: The Avshalom stalactite cave, the Beit Itab ruins, Armon Hanatziv (the former High Commissioner's Residence), Mishkenot Shananim, and the Western Wall. The children took a dip in the Ness Harim pool and later spent the night sleeping in the camp's wooden cabins.
In addition, the children were led through a variety of activities, inside and outside the camp, by Keren Kayemet counselors. Six children from Yokneam took part in the outing, accompanied by two trustees (each spending half the time with them). The camp experience was a true team-building event, full of happy experiences for all.
Trip to Chai Park
Prior to the end of summer vacation - as the final highlight activity before going back to school - we traveled together with the children to Chai Park in Kiryat Motzkin. A total of 70 children took part in this day of fun. Chai Park (for those not familiar with it) is an amazingly beautiful zoo that houses over 700 animals from around the world.
The trip was planned and organized over several weeks, including preparations and coordination with a number of different bodies. The children, who were excitedly looking forward to this day, displayed their responsibility and maturity by making sure to show up on time and even coming early.
The activity divided into three stages: First, upon arriving, we ate breakfast and then split up into two groups. We then went on an extensive tour of the park that was professionally guided by on-site staff workers who were happy to provide thorough explanations and answer all of the children's questions. At the end of the tour, feeling the need to loosen up and let off some steam, we went to the park's amusements facility, which enabled the children to spend quality time in a way that was different but every bit as satisfying. This was a long day for us, but it was totally worthwhile, enjoyable and special.