Summer camps turn school holidays into opportunities for community building

Doha, Qatar witnessed a surge in summer camps throughout 2026, transforming the long school holidays into invaluable opportunities for community building and personal development. Government ministries, the Cultural Village Katara, sports bodies, and community institutions came together to offer structured programmes that encompassed education, physical activity, cultural awareness, personal growth, and values-based learning.

The scope of these programmes in 2026 highlighted a rising emphasis on making children's leisure time productive, while simultaneously supporting families and fostering the development of confident, healthy, and socially responsible young individuals. The collaboration among different ministries and institutions played a crucial role in this initiative.

The Education Ministry's learning programs, the Sports and Youth Ministry's physical activities, Awqaf's values-based initiatives, and the Ministry of Interior's safety programs addressed various aspects of children's growth.

One of the notable programmes was 'Saifuna Ala Kaifna 2026,' organized by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs through its Department of Dawah and Religious Guidance. This program, running from July 5 to 30, gathered over 1,000 boys aged 10 to 15 at 10 centers spread across Qatar. The activities merged religious and moral education with interactive and recreational programs aimed at enhancing children's personalities and promoting positive behavior.

The Ministry of Awqaf saw such initiatives as a broader social purpose, providing young people with a secure environment where values, discipline, knowledge, and social responsibility could develop alongside recreation. Similarly, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education launched Student Activity Centres for Summer 2026 under the slogan 'Invest in Their Summer with Creativity.'

These centres, operating from July 5 to August 3, catered to students aged 6 to 18. While five centers focused on educational, creative, and interactive activities, a special center was reserved for students with disabilities.

The Ministry has also maintained its Language and Culture Camps, sending high-performing Grade 11 Qatari students to France, Germany, and Japan for intensive language learning and cultural experiences. This four-week program aimed to improve language skills while exposing students to diverse cultures and international settings.

The Qatar Sports for All Federation, under the Ministry of Sports and Youth, launched the 'Summer of Sports for All 2026.' This event featured over 90 sporting, community, recreational, and awareness programs from June 29 to August 20. Held at various venues like sports clubs, youth centers, public parks, and other locations, the activities targeted children, young people, adults, and families.

The emphasis on physical activity was particularly significant during the prolonged summer break. Regular exercise could encourage healthier lifestyles, teamwork, discipline, and confidence while minimizing sedentary leisure time.

Katara Cultural Village's summer camps provided children and young people with a mix of educational, cultural, and recreational activities during the summer recess. These camps helped participants develop new skills, explore their creativity, and engage in activities that fostered teamwork and learning in an enjoyable environment. The program also aimed to encourage children to make productive use of their holiday while discovering Qatar's culture and heritage.

Moreover, the Qatar Police Sports Federation organized a summer program for daughters of Ministry of Interior personnel from July 6 to 23. Attracting 102 participants, the program combined swimming, self-defense, artistic and educational workshops, awareness lectures, cultural competitions, and field visits. Such initiatives emphasize another vital function of summer camps: prevention and awareness.

By engaging young people in supervised activities, institutions can introduce messages about safety, responsibility, and positive conduct.