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).  2010 will mark the 9th year of Interfaith Camps for boys at Camp Elk Shoals, and the 7th year for girls.

In association with the Peres Peace Center in Tel Aviv, Israel, the American Interfaith Camps, Inc. (AIC) and Camp Elk Shoals are preparing the 2010 Camp program.  Last year's 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 the Interfaith Camps from the Middle East.

Applications are still being accepted for this year's Interfaith Camps!

Click here ( * ) to down-load the application form.

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

To learn more about the 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.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR THIS YEAR's CAMPS....THOSE DATES BEING:

* July 18th thru July 23rd for the Boys Interfaith Camp.              Click here ( * ) to download
* July 25th thru July 30th for the Girls Interfaith Camp.         the application/registration form.

 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.