Location: Al Fa’raa Refugee Camp, West Bank
Like other boy scout troupes, the Palestinian Boy Scouts of Al Fa’raa Refugee Camp pursue many activities such as civil defense, fitness, dance, band, and scientific experiments . Their hobbies include painting, woodworking, weaving, and pottery. Unlike other international boy scout troupes, they were forbidden to assemble between 1945 and 1994. In 1994 (Oslo Accords) with 30 participants, the Al Fa’raa Camp Boy Scout Troupe officially established its chapter. The Palestinian Scouts is the oldest scout movement in the world (1912). Palestinian Scouts are not organized according to religion. Rather their movement has both Christians and Muslims, and their identity is Palestinian not Christian or Muslim. They do support Palestinian national days such as Land Day, Nabke, and Christmas . As well as scouts, there is an active group of girl guides in Al Fa’raa Camp. The Al Faraa scouting troupe focuses on what it is to be a good leader in the community. Scouts are encouraged to teach other scout members. Essential to their identity as Palestinian Boy Scouts are the arts, such as Dabke (dance), instrumental music, singing, and crafts. While visiting the Al Fa’raa Camp , I was welcomed by school teacher and current head of the Palestinian Boy Scout movement, Mohammad Jamil Sawalmeh. At the end of presentations of Dabke and instrumental music, I was made an honorary Palestinian Boy Scout. Boy Scouts dance Dabke
Boy Scouts dance Dabke