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The first ever Summer Camp was organised by AETP (Aqaba-Eilat: One More Step Towards Peace) during the 15th-17th of July. “Aqaba-Eilat: One More Step Towards Peace” is a project funded by the European Community (Project code: Ref. EUROPEAID/122385/C/ACT/MULTI) to encourage cooperation between countries in the Middle East.
The present participants of AETP are a group of 50 students from Rabin High School in Eilat and Rosary Sisters' High School in Aqaba (and their teachers) who have met together several times over the school year just ended. As part of its objective to offer the students a chance to consolidate their relationships in recreational activities outside the scholastic framework, AETP has guided them toward a deeper perspective on topics pertaining to ecological and cognitive knowledge of the shared territory that emerged during the joint meetings held during the school year.
The AETP Summer Camp was hosted by the Eilat Field School, which is run by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), a non-profit environmental organisation dedicated to preserving Israel's natural, scenic, historical and cultural treasures. The SPNI is affiliated with the ASPNI - American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel , whose mission consists of education and guidance of people worldwide toward greater knowledge and conservation of the environment.
The 50 students and 14 teachers from AETP enjoyed their three-day stay at the Field School, which is located on the Coral Beach a few kilometres south of Eilat, with the Tzfachot Mountain at its back. Local guides Michal Shamdi and Meytal Yaniv led the group in various activities where nature studies were combined with fun and sightseeing that was enjoyable for the Jordanian and Israeli members alike. This included historical sites, natural observatories, and many sports activities. 
On the first day they visited Evrona, a historical site famous for the pink flamingos that come to the salt ponds belonging to the desalination plant, as well as the ancient Israeli farms that have been excavated and partially reconstructed. Lively quiz games were played to reinforce the students' knowledge about the surrounding environment. When night fell, the group gathered around a campfire where they relaxed and played games organised by the tour leaders to ‘break the ice'. The entertainment and songs around the fire continued all night until dawn.
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On the second day the group moved ahead full speed with a variety of activities: a hike in the Red Canyon with its fascinating rock formations, snorkelling at the Coral Beach to cool off and observe the rich marine life, a boat cruise on the Red Sea down the shared Jordanian/Israeli/Egyptian borders, and to round off the day, a fun competition where the boys competed against the girls. 
The third and final day commenced at 4 o'clock in the morning, climbing the Tzfachot Mountain in order to enjoy two amazing experiences: the wonderful sunrise expanding over the Jordanian mountains, and the magical moment in which a group of 50 young Arabs and Israelis were sharing the experience of admiring the sunrise over the Gulf of Aqaba from Eilat, creating a memory and a bond that will hopefully be sustained forever more.
Later came a hearty breakfast, followed by some fun water activities. The students split up into smaller groups and went to expend the remains of their energy on banana boats, kayaks, and other water sports. 
The camp ended with a brief moment of meditation and thought about the meaning of the ten months of meetings with their partnership and sharing.
The first year of the AETP project was concluded with great emotion. With hugs and goodbyes, the students returned home carrying a highly charged baggage: loaded with fatigue, with gifts for family members, but above all, loaded with new experiences, relationships, and shared perceptions based on a concrete knowledge that breaks down prejudices and opens the barriers between borders. Thus we can now bring together a chorus of many voices that one short year ago were far apart:
AQABA-EILAT:
ONE MORE STEP TOWARDS PEACE!
More detailed explanations as well as updates about the European Union’s “Aqaba-Eilat: One More Step Towards Peace” project can be seen at the AETP website: http://www.aetp-project.org/
(Text adapted from material kindly provided by Alessia Piva)
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