Lighting the Future: 2026 Hatikvah Jewish Camp Experience
Leadership was one of the most important pillars of the 2026 camp.
We wanted young people to understand that leadership does not begin with a position, a title or a badge. Leadership begins with responsibility, service, courage, good character and the willingness to make a positive difference.
A young person demonstrates leadership when they help another participant, listen to others, take responsibility for a task, encourage someone who is struggling, respect rules, work as part of a team or speak up when something is wrong.
Throughout the camp, participants were encouraged to practise teamwork, communication, cooperation, decision-making and responsibility.
This is particularly important because communities cannot depend forever on the same few people to provide leadership. We must intentionally prepare the next generation.
We want today’s campers to become tomorrow’s youth leaders, educators, volunteers, community organisers, advocates and mentors.
Our dream is to see young Jewish people develop enough confidence to take leadership responsibilities not only within their synagogues, but also in wider community life and, eventually, contribute positively at national and international levels.
A camp may last several days, but the leadership journey can last a lifetime.
Building Friendships and Social Connections
For many participants, one of the most exciting parts of camp was simply being together.
Young people from different backgrounds and communities had an opportunity to meet, make new friends, share experiences and discover their common Jewish connection.
Through games, group activities, meals, conversations and informal moments, participants learned how to communicate, cooperate and respect one another.
These friendships are important because a strong community is built on relationships.
When young people know one another, they are more likely to support one another. When they feel that they belong, they are more likely to remain connected to their community.
Belonging is one of the foundations of leadership.
Around the Campfire: Stories, Laughter and Reflection
As the day came to an end, the campfire created a different atmosphere.
Gathered together under the evening sky, participants had opportunities to sing, laugh, share stories, listen and reflect.
The campfire reminded us that learning does not always happen in a classroom.
Sometimes leadership lessons emerge through a conversation, a song, a story or simply sitting together and listening to someone else’s experience.
These moments created memories that the participants will carry long after camp.
Self-Awareness: Discovering Who I Am
Young people were encouraged to reflect on who they are, what they value, their strengths, their weaknesses and the kind of people they want to become.
Self-awareness is an important foundation for leadership.
A young person who understands their strengths can develop them. Someone who recognises a weakness can seek help and improve.
We want our young people to leave camp knowing:
“I have value. My voice matters. I have something to contribute. I can learn. I can grow. I can lead.”
Self-Defense and Personal Safety
The camp also introduced participants to the importance of self-defense and personal safety.
The purpose was not to encourage violence, but to promote awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, responsible decision-making and knowing when and how to seek help.
Young people need to understand that their safety matters.
For girls and young women especially, building confidence and awareness around personal safety can be an important part of empowerment.
We believe that communities have a shared responsibility to protect children and young people and to create environments where they can speak openly when they feel unsafe.
Judaism, Jewish Culture and Identity
At the heart of the camp was our Jewish identity.
The camp provided an environment where young people could explore Judaism and Jewish culture while learning, socialising and having fun.
The purpose of the Camp is for young people to understand that Jewish identity is not limited to attending a service. It is something we learn, practise, celebrate, question, experience and pass from one generation to another.
For a young person growing up in Uganda, having opportunities to connect with other Jewish youth and explore their heritage can strengthen their sense of belonging.
We want every camper to be able to say:
“This is my heritage. This is my community. I have a place here, and I have a role to play.”
Torah Study: Learning Beyond Shabbat
Torah study was an important part of the camp experience.
One of the reasons Hatikvah is committed to Jewish camps is our understanding that Shabbat alone cannot provide all the Jewish education that young people need.
Young people need additional opportunities to study Torah, Hebrew, Jewish history, traditions and values throughout the year.
The camp provided an opportunity to create this deeper learning environment.
Torah learning was connected to values that young people can practise in their everyday lives kindness, responsibility, justice, respect, community and service.
Our long-term vision is to develop more structured Jewish educational opportunities where young people can continue learning throughout the year.
Keeping Law and Order: Preparing Responsible Citizens
An important part of camp life was discipline, respect and keeping law and order.
Participants learned that rules are not simply restrictions. They help create a safe environment where everyone can learn, sleep, play and participate comfortably.
Young people were encouraged to respect facilitators, follow schedules, care for camp property, respect fellow participants and take responsibility for their behaviour.
But the lesson goes far beyond the camp.
We want young people to carry these values home with them.
Respecting leaders, teachers, parents, community elders and other people in authority is an important part of becoming a responsible citizen. At the same time, responsible citizenship also means understanding that leadership and authority should be approached with respect, dialogue and good character.
We also want our young people to understand the dangers of strong drugs, substance abuse, harmful peer pressure and groups that encourage destructive or illegal behaviour.
Young people can sometimes be influenced by friendships or environments that appear attractive at first but can eventually lead to serious consequences, including conflict with the law, imprisonment, damaged relationships, interrupted education and lost opportunities.
Our message to the young people is not simply “do not do wrong.”
It is:“Your future is valuable. Protect it.”
We want them to make choices that protect their education, their health, their families, their Jewish identity and their future.
We want them to understand that true strength is not following a crowd. True strength is having the courage to make responsible decisions, even when others are choosing a different path.
A young person who respects others, obeys lawful authority, avoids destructive influences, takes responsibility for their actions and contributes positively to society is already demonstrating leadership.
This is the kind of citizenship we hope to nurture through our camps.
Responsible Use of Computers and Technology
Technology can be a powerful tool for education, communication and creativity, but it must be used responsibly.
Participants were encouraged to think about computer and digital technology misuse, including inappropriate online behaviour, exposure to harmful content, misuse of personal information and using technology in ways that may harm themselves or others.
Our goal is to help young people become responsible digital citizens who use technology to learn, create, communicate and develop themselves.
More Than a Camp
When we look back at the 2026 Hatikvah Jewish Camp, we see more than a programme.
We see a place where young people were given opportunities to learn, lead, laugh, question, socialise, reflect, build confidence and strengthen their Jewish identity.
We see friendships that may continue beyond camp.
We see young people discovering abilities they may not have recognised before.
And we see the beginnings of a leadership journey.
The camp reminds us that sometimes a young person does not need someone to tell them what they cannot become.
They need someone to tell them:
“We believe in you.”
A Growing Vision for the Future
Hatikvah Jewish Centre Initiatives Uganda dreams of expanding this work.
Our long-term vision is to establish a permanent Jewish Camp and Leadership Centre in Uganda where children and young people can access Jewish education, Torah and Hebrew learning, leadership development, mentorship, life skills, personal safety, digital education and community service throughout the year.
We envision a place where young people from different Jewish communities can meet, learn together, celebrate together and prepare themselves to become responsible leaders.
Most importantly, we want to create a culture where young people eventually return to serve others.
The camper becomes the volunteer.
The volunteer becomes the leader.
The leader becomes the mentor.
And the mentor helps raise another generation.
That is how a community grows.
A Heartfelt Vote of Thanks
We extend our deepest appreciation to all the volunteers, organizers, facilitators, counselors, teachers and spiritual leaders who contributed their time, energy, knowledge and love to make the 2026 Hatikvah Jewish Camp possible.
To our volunteers, thank you for serving with dedication and patience.
To our facilitators and teachers, thank you for sharing your knowledge and creating meaningful learning experiences.
To our spiritual leaders, thank you for helping nurture the Jewish identity, spiritual development and values of our young people.
To everyone who worked behind the scenes from planning and logistics to meals, supervision, coordination, safety, and daily activities your contribution mattered.
And to our young people, thank you for bringing your energy, curiosity, laughter and beautiful spirit to camp.
You are the reason we continue this work.
The Future Is in Their Hands
The lessons, friendships and experiences gained at camp can continue to influence these young people long after they return home.
At Hatikvah Jewish Centre Initiatives Uganda, we believe that investing in young people is an investment in the future of Reform/Progressive Judaism in Uganda and in the wider society in which we live.
And every young person who leaves our camp with greater confidence, stronger Jewish identity, new friendships and a desire to serve gives us another reason to keep that hope alive.