Al-Bustan Camp had its successful 2-week launch at Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania in July 8-19, 2002, with support from the Morris Arboretum and Middle East Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

The eighteen participating campers had a fun and enriching experience, while learning interactive Arabic songs, playing the the tabla -- a Middle Eastern hand drum, dancing the Lebanese debke-- a traditional folk line dance, making animal sculptures, collecting found objects and plants for their clay relieves, creating a traditional Arab village out of their architectural clay models, performing a short play, and more. . . .

At the end of the two weeks, all the children's artwork and projects were displayed at the Visitor Center and open to the general public.

As a finale to their camp experience, they showcased their talents and skills in a variety show presented to parents and other visitors to the Arboretum.

An audience of about 50 people came to see the children present Arabic poetry and songs, folklore dances, hand drumming and a dramatic performance in Arabic.

Following the children's show, a Philadelphia-based youth dance group, New Generation of Palestine, was invited to perform a couple of Palestinian folklore dances. The evening ended with a short impromptu musical dialogue between Hanna, a flutist playing the nay and Joe Tayoun, a percussionist playing the tabla.

Feedback. . . Everyone involved with Al-Bustan Camp and those that attended the final exhibit and performance were impressed with the garden setting of the camp; with the time, energy and enthusiasm that teachers put in to making the camp a fun, enriching experience for the children; and in turn how the children were such enthusiastic, creative participants. The support of Morris Arboretum and the Middle East Center was critical in facilitating the successful launch of the camp.

In the words of one camper, Max, who did not have prior exposure to the Arabic language and culture: "I thought the classes were cool. I liked working with the clay and learning the drums the most. It was a great Arabic experience . . . . I think I learned a lot about culture and stuff . . . . It was really fun to go here and next year I'm going to go again."