Week Two Recap: New Faces, New Creations, and Deeper Discoveries
Week Two of Kalimah’s 2025 STEAM & Culture Arabic Immersion Camp brought a fresh wave of energy as we launched at our new location in Vienna. With a mix of returning and new campers joining us, energy and enthusiasm were flowing. After welcoming all and starting with community-building songs, games, and conversations, we dived right into our ongoing exploration of Ibn Al-Haytham and his legacy.
We eased into the immersive Arabic environment with a set of measures and expectations for progression towards 100% Arabic proficiency by the end of the camps. Campers quickly jumped into the rhythm of the week, using Arabic to communicate, reflect, play, and explore. They started to connect and the character of Ibn Al-Haytham and his evolving camera.
Throughout the week, campers participated in a diverse range of activities that seamlessly integrated history, STEM, art, and hands-on learning. Guest artist Maricel led campers in a creative lamp craft. Campers experimented with form and design in this multi-sensory activity while discussing textures and colors in Arabic in light of Ibn Al-Haytham’s landmark contributions to the scientific understanding of light, vision, and more.
An outdoor nature walk and scavenger hunt activity encouraged campers to search for and collect natural objects of various colors, textures, sizes, etc., while practicing observation and descriptive language. They used collected objects to collaboratively create decorative art pieces. Later, they used clay to sculpt decorative pieces engraved with natural symbols and geometric patterns.
Engineering activities with Mechanical Engineer Sarah engaged everyone in fun collaborative challenges using the engineering design process and principles. Campers worked in teams on an egg drop challenge, designing innovative devices using limited materials to protect their eggs from cracking. They also built geometric towers using mini marshmallows and toothpicks, competing for the tallest towers that pass tests of strength, balance, and creativity.
As always, Ibn Al-Haytham remained at the heart of all we do. Campers were introduced to his camera obscura invention, laying the groundwork for our ongoing focus on photography, art, and innovation. Multiple forms of photography and videography are in the plans for the coming weeks.
Kalimah campers continue to use Arabic in every setting—from science labs and craft tables to nature trails, group games, and individual reflections. The energy in Vienna has been full of curiosity, laughter, and thoughtful discovery. We are looking forward to watching everyone grow their confidence in practicing and enhancing their Arabic language as they continue to enjoy all the fun and learning opportunities in the coming weeks.
Week One Recap: Light, Discovery, and Imagination
Week one of Kalimah’s 2025 STEAM & Culture Arabic Immersion Camp brought our theme to life through hands-on projects, full Arabic immersion, and joyful cultural exploration. Campers stepped into the world of Ibn Al-Haytham, whose groundbreaking work with light and vision continues to inspire the way we see, record, and understand the world.
A major focus this week was on photography and filming, honoring Ibn Al-Haytham’s foundational role in the evolution of the camera. Campers explored how light travels, how images form, and how storytelling through visuals connects science with creativity. This theme ran through many of the week’s activities and set the stage for deeper exploration in the weeks ahead.
Through immersive, play-based learning, campers:
Played a variety of Arabic language games, using movement and group challenges to reinforce vocabulary
Crafted bead stars to represent Ibn Al-Haytham’s observations of the night sky
Built wheel spinners to explore color theory and motion
Created hologram viewers using reflection and transparency
Participated in VR experiences simulating sailing and space exploration
Learned the basics of visual storytelling through photos and short videos
Practiced oral storytelling and co-creating original stories with the hakawati, Ammo Khaled. As an experienced educator from the Sham region, he led an interactive cultural experience encouraging campers to combine interpretive listening, presentational speaking, and interpersonal communication in Arabic at varying levels of proficiency. He ended the session with some more dabke practice and a homework for campers to find out the Arabic name of a favorite pet.
The cultural aspect of camp expanded each day. While continuing to explore Basrah, we began learning about Cairo and Algeria as well. Campers were introduced to:
Songs and games from North Africa
Traditional movement through Dabke and rhythm with tabla, guided by a professional instructor
Arabic calligraphy and identity expression through painted name plaques
Culinary traditions by preparing chicken and cheese burak from scratch
The week ended with reflection, journaling, and excitement for what’s next. In Week Two, we’ll go further into the histories and cultural practices of Basrah, Cairo, and Algiers—deepening our understanding through new projects, music, and storytelling.
The creativity, curiosity, and focus campers brought this week were inspiring. We can’t wait to build on it.
Day One at Kalimah Summer Camp: A Bright Start
Day one of our 2025 Kalimah STEAM & Culture Arabic Immersion Camp is officially complete—and it was a strong, joyful beginning.
Campers arrived with excitement and curiosity, and the day began with introductions in Arabic as they met their teachers and groupmates. Everyone received their Kalimah shirts and water bottles, building a sense of unity and belonging right from the start.
We went over the camp rules and expectations together, laying the foundation for a safe, respectful, and engaging summer. Then came our first round of Arabic games, designed to get campers moving, listening, and speaking—all in Arabic. The energy was high, and the immersion began right away.
After a snack break and more group bonding, campers enjoyed lunch and a short rest period. The afternoon shifted into our first formal exploration of this summer’s theme: Ibn Al-Haytham and his evolving camera. Campers learned about his life, his questions about light and vision, and the way his ideas shaped scientific thinking. This introduction will guide our hands-on activities throughout the week.
The day wrapped up with journaling, where campers reflected on their experiences, what they learned, and what they’re excited about next. Some wrote, some drew, and many combined both—capturing their first impressions of camp.
It was a full and thoughtful first day. Our staff is already preparing for day two, where we’ll dig deeper into light, lenses, and observation—all while keeping Arabic at the center of everything we do.
Countdown to Camp: Meet Our 2025 STEAM Staff & Busy Prep for Day 1
The countdown is on—our 2025 STEAM & Culture Arabic Immersion Day Camp begins this Monday, June 30. As we gear up for the first day, our staff team is in full prep mode, finalizing every detail to bring this summer’s vision to life. Our new staff team webpage is now live, and the energy behind the scenes is strong.
Meet the 2025 Staff Team
This year’s staff brings together experienced educators, creatives, and native Arabic speakers committed to fostering an engaging, immersive environment for every camper. They’ll be guiding students through a hands-on, language-rich experience grounded in Kalimah’s signature approach: learning through doing, playing, and connecting.
We aim for 100% Arabic immersion, meaning Arabic will be spoken throughout the day—in conversation, play, instruction, and creative work. Our team has been trained to make the language feel accessible and natural for children of all levels through songs, games, role-play, and active movement.
This Summer’s Theme
The overarching theme for 2025 is “Ibn Al-Haytham and His Evolving Camera.” Campers will explore light, optics, innovation, and culture through the lens of this legendary Muslim scientist’s work and legacy.
Each week will be grounded in a different regional focus:
Al Basrah – connecting with the scientific and cultural origins of Ibn Al-Haytham’s life and thought
Al Qaahera – exploring the evolution of knowledge, storytelling, and invention in Fatimid-era Cairo
Al Jazaa’er – tying in North African resistance, photography, and the power of the visual image
Campers will learn by creating, experimenting, building, acting, and imagining—all while immersed in Arabic.
Staff in Action
Our staff is currently:
Transforming spaces into Arabic-rich learning environments
Assembling materials for experiments, art, construction, and play
Practicing routines for Arabic-only instruction and social-emotional connection
Coordinating a smooth, welcoming experience for campers and families
Every station, game, and schedule block has been crafted to balance structure with freedom and learning with fun.
Looking Ahead
This summer builds on years of Kalimah’s experience and community input. Locations have expanded, small group sizes ensure focused attention, and scholarships made possible by Qatar Foundation International are helping more families join us.
In short:
The 2025 Kalimah Summer Camp is more than ready. With Arabic at the center and the story of Ibn Al-Haytham guiding each week, campers will experience a summer of creativity, culture, and language they won’t forget. We’ll see you on Monday!
Camp 2024: Week Three
Kalimah’s 2024 STEAM Arabic Immersion Summer Camp came to a strong end in the third week. The week started with a dabke workshop led by Zain Abuhatab. After learnng about the history and types of dabke, campers counted in Arabic as they practiced the steps to a basic dabke move that is common in Arab celebrations such as weddings, graduation parties, and casual friend gatherings. Community-building among campers soared to a new level with the dabke dance as well as traditional Arab children’s games such as fattahi ya wardah, taaq taaq taaqeyyeh, and more at our morning circle time and free play times.
Campers continued investigations in Nutrition, STEM, and Souq (Market) stations while preparing for the final show on Friday with repeated rehearsals on songs, dances, and skit performances. They learned about and experimented with spices and herbs used in the Palestinian cuisine and packed sampler gift packs of summac, cumin, chamomile, thyme, zaatar, sage, and more. The aroma of the cumin they got to grind before packing filled up the whole floor—a multi-sensory experience like no other. They made and drank mint tea with manaqeesh zaatar and made enough hummus to pack and sell on Friday. The spice and herbs sampler gift packs were labeled and decorated with Palestinian flags as campers practiced reading and writing, colors and shapes, and more of Kalimah’s integrated, project-based language learning methodology.
Some campers learned sewing with guest speaker Maricelle, who helped them upcycle old shirts into hair scrunchies. Most of the scrunchies were sold at the Souq simulation on Friday among many other creations and inventions they made throughout the three weeks. Sewing was an empowering experience for older campers who wanted to do a lot of things with old fabric, plastic, cardboard, metal, and glass upcycling materials they collected. Reusable shopping bags were made and decorated with Arabic geometric patterns for Souq customers; another STEAM project that integrated multiple stations.
On Friday, energy was high in anticipation for a great showcase, in which campers delivered! Before recieving their graduation certificates and awards, dressed in traditional Arab outfits from multiple countries, campers sang and danced to many camp songs and performed three skits: one about Souq Az-Zawiyah in Gaza, one about Al-Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham (Camera inventor), and one about Maryam Al-Esterlabi (Astrolabe inventor). The sales of the Souq simulation were all donated to a charity that campers picked as part of their community service project for this year.
Recipe Book
Thank you to everyone who helped make this summer camp a success: parents, campers, staff, and volunteers! We look forward to an even better camp in Summer 2025!
2024 Camp Week Two
Week Two has been as fun as ever! Campers participated in lots of fun activities and engaged with guest speakers.
Coding took a fun spin with Arabic alphabets turned into binary bracelets. Decoding and recoding are important STEM skills that are useful in everyday life and language learning specifically.
At the nutrition station, campers started exploring Arab meals and learned to identify healthy and unhealthy foods.
In between songs and dances, campers invented new products for the Souq, worked on their Diorama projects, and learned about and practiced embroidery with guest speaker Miassar Alnabahin.
Campers enjoyed water playtime after making their own tie-dye shirts. Afterward, students continued work on their dances, play, and Souq products.
Trivia Olympics tested campers’ knowledge of what we’ve been learning so far about planting, history, Arab markets, and more. Ending the busy week with making and eating Mjaddarah for lunch followed by work on STEAM project-based learning activities in all four stations: Nutrition, STEM, Souq, and Culture.
We look forward to a strong finish in Week Three!
2024 Camp Week One
Since our last post, campers have done many fun activities!
After our Morning Circle on Tuesday, campers participated in the following activities:
Ms. Leena’s group made Tablahs (Drums)
Ms. Naglaa’s group practiced geography skills
Ms. Mervin’s group continued investigations in planting
On Wednesday, campers had a shorter Morning Circle to make time for fun water activities!
Campers participate in water balloon relay races
After drying off and eating lunch, campers went to their group activities
Ms. Leena’s group began the process of making their own pickles
Ms. Somoud’s group enjoys the fruit salad they took turns helping make
Ms. Mervin’s class learned about plant feeding
Today (Thursday) after the Morning Circle, campers were audience to a presentation about engineering by guest speaker Sarah Sinnokrot.
Sarah describes to campers the Engineering Design Process
After the presentation, Sarah led campers as they put their engineering skills to work for an Egg Drop Challenge, making Oobleck, and making a lava lamp.
Afterward, campers had lunch and then joined their groups for activities.
Ms. Somoud’s group used crafty skills to make 3D Fruits
Ms. Mervin’s group learned about plant care and seed ID.
Ms. Leena’s group began their pickling projects
Ms. Naglaa's class began learning a song and dance.
We look forward to a great rest of the week and a great start to the second week on Monday!
2024 Kalimah Camp Day One
Day One of camp has been incredible so far! After each camper arrived and received their Kalimah shirt, Hat, and Water Bottle we began our day with free play time.
At 10:00, we began our Morning Meeting. Everyone took turns introducing themselves with a fun game, then we played حجرة بقرة and finally ended our Morning Meeting with a game of فتحي يا وردة.
Campers enjoyed a short snack time, before joining their age groups for various activities.
Ms. Mervin’s group played with soil and plants.
Ms. Naglaa’s group watches an informative Arabic video.
Ms. Somoud’s group practices conversational Arabic.
Ms. Leena’s group has a video discussion.
The campers will eat lunch, have recess, then do their 2nd station before wrapping up their day with dances and free time!