Offering Muslim children an opportunity to build a sense of community, ownership, and responsibility a new summer camp for Muslim youth opened its doors in Gainesville, Florida, for activities that teach Islamic principles and prayers, WUFT reported.

“I hope the kids will build on their relationship with God, build ties within the community, have fun and learn to serve others through all of these meetings that we continue to have,” Umbreen Jabbar, 38, founder and director of Muslim Youth Gainesville, said.

Jabbar moved to Gainesville from Chicago where she helped start a similar Muslim youth group. She said she created the youth group for kids to have fun while taking part in positive growth.

“When I came to Gainesville, I knew they didn’t have a youth group,” Jabbar said. “The fact that I have two young children made me even more passionate to create one.”

The Muslim Youth Gainesville’s camp, which hosts 20 kids, meets once a week from May through August and alternates between two mosques, Hoda Center and Islamic Center of Gainesville.

The activities, free and open to children aged 6-12, include teaching Islamic principles and prayers.

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Amar Attia, 49, the sheikh at Hoda Center for the past 13 years, said the camp is important to create a positive Muslim narrative amidst negative news surrounding Muslims.

“The first word revealed in our religion was ‘read’,” Ateyah said. “The more these kids read and know, the more they will grow.”

The youth group allows kids to find their identity and learn their religion among others with similar values.

“It’s critical to get to know one another,” Ateyah said. “The minute we know each other in goodness, the more we can grow together.”

For many Muslim youths in the west, the most important element of a successful summer vacation from an Islamic perspective is the company they keep.

Therefore, a growing number of Muslim summer camps are being established in western countries.

For example, a Calgary local Muslim leader has been using his day camp to tackle the feeling of isolation that some Muslim children experience while trying to integrate into Western society.