Watani, the UAE's unique celebration of national identity, has launched its hugely popular spring camp alongside the Dubai Shopping Festival. The month-long calendar of adventure, designed for all UAE residents, is a great source of pride for Emiratis, an opportunity to learn for expatriates, and a rare introduction to local culture for tourists.
An amazing range of activities brings the children together to experience life through more traditional times. Field trips, horse and camel riding, art, drama, cooking and handicrafts are just some of the ways children can enjoy the rich history and tradition of a very different UAE from the one they know today.
Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Watani said the event has become a passion for the organisers and a pleasure for the visitors: "This camp has proved itself to be a great initiative time and time again. One of our main aims is for young Emiratis and children from other nationalities to interact and discover common ground and this is the perfect way to achieve that. The Desert Camp that Watani organizes is extremely relaxed and gives exactly the right atmosphere to make the activities fun and exciting. We're not sitting down with these kids in a stuffy classroom and teaching them history, this is a hands-on learning experience.
"We are all incredibly proud of our past and it is from those roots that we have grown into this wonderful nation we call home. It's a great chance to have a young look at old times," he added.
The camp is described as a centre for 'edutainment and cooperation', a mix of fun and learning with people from all walks of life, regardless of wealth or educational backgrounds. Sports such as football and volleyball encourage the camp-goers to work as teams and develop respect.
As well as appreciating their cultural background, children at the camp are also being encouraged to understand their own roles in society.
"There is a moral and social responsibility that should be developed in order for the next generation of Emiratis to make a real contribution to their fellow countrymen – and these days, to the world. We are living in a global community and the UAE is playing a considerable part," added Al Mansoori. "A national pride leads to an international presence."
DSF Family Desert Camp by Watani takes place at Al Warqa'a 4 area, and runs for one month till February 29. The camp is for children aged 6 – 12 years old.
