She listened to Arabic folktales from the "A Thousand and One from the "A Thousand and One Nights" and "Kalilah and Dimna" story collections, practiced self-defense, made new friends and even got to do some traditional Arab drumming. "It was loud, and it was really cool. I liked the instrument," she said.
Jana was one of about 40 children who attended the Arab Arts and Culture summer camp, run by the Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture. Over two weeks, campers ages 5 to 14 met to learn Arabic language and calligraphy, music, art and more. While Al-Bustan offers programming for children and adults in the community throughout the year, the summer camp is its flagship program, designed as an opportunity for Arab and non-Arab kids alike to come together over cultural discovery and exploration.
A 'beautiful heritage' Al-Bustan's founder, Hazami Syed, began the camp in July 2002 so that her children would have a place to feel validated in their identity while welcoming all kids from the community at the same time. "It was rooted in this idea of Arab American kids being able to feel comfortable in a space where they (are) sharing cultural experiences and learning more about history and language," said Lisa Volta, Al-Bustan's interim executive director. "But also a place that brought others in through the arts .
.. to engage and learn more about something maybe a little bit different and new (to them).
" For Eissa Attar, a camp counselor, it felt "reall.