Thirty-two Jewish, Islamic and Christian boys, with their counselors and religious leaders, came together for the first Interfaith Camp the summer following the 9-11 tragedy. This Camp was held at Camp Elk Shoals, in partnership with American Interfaith Camps, Inc. (a 501-c-3 non-profit organization established by Rev. Pete Parish....the Executive Director of Camp Elk Shoals, Rabbi Murray Ezring, and Imam Shafiq Mohammad).  During this special time, besides participating in all the normal fun-type endeavors the scenic South Fork of the New River and the mountains of Northwest North Carolina have to offer, the campers were teamed up in trust-forming exercises (where they learned to trust their "fellow man"....no matter what his religion may be).
The goal for these fun-loving campers was to have a LOT of fun....and fellowhip...and to come away still trusting the messages of their own religion (and God), but also learning to trust their fellow man (who, like themselves, are creatures of God's making)....and learning more about the other two Abrahamic religions.  Since that first camp, we have added a girls Interfaith Camp (the picture above being attendees).  2011 will mark the 10th year of Interfaith Camps for boys at Camp Elk Shoals, and the 8th year for girls. The American Interfaith Camps, Inc. (AIC) and Camp Elk Shoals have prepared a GREAT 2011 Camp program. 

The dates for the 2012 Interfaith Camps:

            Boys:  July 8-13;  Girls:  July 15-20  

    Click on the icon below (on the left) to download the Interfaith camper registration/information forms.

Click on the icon below (on the right) to download the Interfaith volunteer/counselor registration/information forms.

The 2009 camps had an international flair,  as AIC and Elk Shoals hosted Jewish boys from Israel, Islamic boys from Palestine, and Christian girls from Costa Rica.  Plans are being finalized so that again this year there will be children attending from all over.

To learn more about American Interfaith Camps. Inc., click here ( * ).

To learn more about the 2009 partnership with the Peres Peace Center in Tel Aviv, click here ( * ).

At these Interfaith Camps,  each day is filled FULL of planned activities for fun-loving children..  However,  there is time allotted for the followers of each religion to hold their prayer sessions.

Question-and-answer periods are held before each meal ...so that everyone can learn more about the religious practices, teachings and customs of the other two religions (as everyone gets to ask {via written annonymous questions} what they want, and the religious leaders supply the answers.

 Fundraising for Elk Shoals: by searching the Internet...

 

Thanks to Elk Shoals' new partnership with "Goodsearch.com", raising money to help support Elk Shoals programs is literally a mouse-click away. 

Log onto www.goodsearch.com ---a new search engine powered by YAHOO!---and type "Elk Shoals" into the "I SUPPORT" box ...and click VERIFY ...then Elk Shoals will receive a donation each time you search the web using GoodSearch.  You can even "download" a 'search' toolbar from GoodSearch.com.

Thanks! for supporting Elk Shoals.

                                                          ANOTHER FUND RAISER TO HELP ELK SHOALS...

 

"Magazine Sales" at our on-line store:  while you are reading your favorite magazines or giving subscriptions as gifts, there is an opportunity to help Elk Shoals!

Please click here ( * ) to enter our "online" store.

 

All donations to Camp ELk Shoals are tax deductable ...and MUCH apreciated! Click here ( * ) to see our Wish List concerning Volunteer opportunities and donations.

                                    Click here ( * ) to return to our Camp homepage.