Syrian refugees and Muslim teens get 1st taste of summer camp

Syrianrefugeesand underprivileged Muslim youthare getting their first introduction to one of Canada's favourite summer pastimes: camp.

It's four days and three nights of team-building, problem-solving and outdoor activitymeantto teach the kids survival skills andself-confidence, as well as help them integrate into Canadian culture.

The children, many of whom are new to Calgary,are attending Camp Kindlefor free, throughsponsorshipby the Muslim FamiliesNetwork Society.

"Camping is a Canadian culture, a Canadian custom," said MFNS board member and camp volunteerKhaled Chaabani.

"It's a good way to help them to learn how to live the Canadian way in a healthy environment."

Between tackling the climbing walls, zipline, ropes courses, archery and water sports, the kids are fed Halal meals and observe all five daily prayer times.

Chaabani said he was encouraged to see kids from Syria, Iraq, Sudan and other countries playing togetherand talkingabout their difficult pastexperiences.

"I was happy that they were able to open up, and that they felt this was a good environment, a safe environment," he said.

Chaabani said language and cultural integration remain the two biggest challenges facing the newcomers, but he's optimistic they'll make a smooth transition.

"They are sharp kids. They went through a lot, and when you go through that struggling, you gain some skills that you don't gain when you think you're comfortable."

Mohamad al Said startsgrade 10 this year andagreed that learning English has been tough, but he said he likes it here.

"I like Canada. You know why? Because people in Canada are very nice, respectful," al Said said.

Tech-free camp

The camp has a strict ban on cellphones, cameras, computersand video games, which givesthe kids ample time to get to know each other, said camp coordinatorWes Aitken.

"A lot of times, kids these days, they're so plugged in. They are so glued to their screens and stuff like that. We are one of the last places without cellphone reception, and we sell that," Aitken said.

"They get to get back to what's important, getting into nature with people andconnecting at a real level."

NasrinAli, a camper originally from Sudan, said she's already made some friends at camp.

"It's nice that there's no technology or anything. That gives us the opportunity to talk to each other," Ali said.

"It's been fun making new friends."