The Jewish Agency, with funding from the Israel Emergency Fund of the United Jewish Communities, is taking the entire population of 8,000 children ages 6 to 17 who live in the Sderot area out of the range of attack and letting kids do what they like best. From amusement parks to nature reserves, from water parks to concerts, and from touring the country to enjoying recreation with friends, kids from Sderot are having a great summer. (More about the program's funding.)

But why not hear it from them? Come back to this blog frequently to check out blog entries from different camps thoughout the summer.

For the second cycle beginning in August, the Israel Experience and the Institutions of Rabbi Grossman, who operated the first cycle will be joined by two new operators – The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and the Israel Youth Hostels Association.

Over 10,000 children from Sderot and the Gaza perimeter enjoyed camp activity during the first cycle. The camps were operated in conjunction with the local municipalities, who do not cease in offering their thanks to the Jewish Agency and its Israel Region for providing activities that grant a respite to thousands of children in the Gaza perimeter and Sderot.

This blog entry was written by Eli Carmeli, JAFI Director of Community Relations, Israel Region