Interfaith Youth Camp

Report by Ruchi Mukherjee

A three day youth camp was conducted July 19-21, 2011 by the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston to focus on interfaith dialogue, community service, and leadership development. Students from various religions, cultures and ages 13-18 years got together at the Houston Bahá’í Center on Fannin Street in Houston, Texas.

In these times when corruption, terrorism and consumerist attitude rule our surroundings it is very refreshing to see the youth, the next generation, participating in such motivational camps.

“Students go to school with teens from different faiths, but often don’t have a safe space to ask questions of their classmates or talk about religions,” said Lauren Santerre, Director of Interfaith Relations at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.

At Interfaith Ministries it is important for students to be able to talk about other faith, traditions and beliefs. The main purpose of the camp was to interact with people from a variety of backgrounds. Students engaged in dialogue with other teens through interactive sessions, guided dialogue and community service projects.

Students participating in the camp were thrilled with the day long activities that included CSI style lab activities; PSA contest where participants got the opportunity to write and create their own public service announcement about interfaith cooperation for a local TV station.

“I enjoyed Interfaith Youth Camp because I met people of different religions that I’ve only just heard about in the past. I’ve made friends with people from all backgrounds that I wouldn’t have known or met before,” says 16 year old Melissa Ng, a Buddhist.

More information about Interfaith Ministries can be found at www.imgh.org.

Photos by Roswitha Vogler.