Youth Art Therapy Summer Camp
Denizens Society Global partnered with Egyptians Without Borders to bring 25 displaced Palestinian children, ages 10–14, together in Cairo for a five-day youth art therapy summer camp. Designed with the guidance of two children's art therapists, the program created a safe and supportive space where children could express themselves, explore their emotions, and begin processing experiences of displacement and trauma through art.
Throughout the five-day camp, the children participated in structured art therapy activities designed to encourage emotional expression, healthy coping mechanisms, and a stronger sense of safety, belonging, and personal identity. The children were also given the opportunity to share their work in a closing gallery exhibition, allowing them to see their creations displayed and proudly introduce their families to what they had made. Parents shared that they noticed positive changes in their children's behavior, while the children themselves expressed how much they enjoyed the experience.
This short camp demonstrated the powerful role that creative expression can play in supporting children affected by displacement and trauma. In response to what we learned through this program, Denizens Society Global is developing an expanded 2027 version that will build on the foundation of the 2026 camp with additional therapeutic and enrichment opportunities, including a field trip and individual psychological support sessions provided by qualified therapists. The goal is to create an even more comprehensive space where Palestinian children can build resilience, strengthen their coping skills, and experience moments of joy, connection, and hope.