LONDON – Meeting in the Inter-Faith Peace Camp at King’s University College, around 90 elementary and secondary school-age campers gathered to learn about Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

“They’ve developed a curiosity and openness to other religions which is a joy to me,” said Pastor Charleen Jongejan Harder, one of the organizers of the camp from Valleyview Mennonite Church, The London Free Press reported on Thursday, August 17.

The goal is to encourage friendship-building among different faith groups and to create a culture where people can be curious and ask questions.

Jongejan Harder said many of the campers return yearly and she sees their curiosity and openness grow each year.

“My son has been part of this camp for three years and it’s been interesting watching him develop,” Jongejan Harder said. “His first response when meeting someone of a different faith is curiosity.”

On Wednesday, campers visited the London Muslim Mosque. Shahin Pardhan, a faith leader at the camp, spent the morning explaining Islamic practices to the group, answering questions of curious kids.

“It’s just a great way for the kids to experience things they didn’t know,” Pardhan said.

“I really like camp,” said Dana Al-hajsalem, 6. “The best part is making friends, playing outside and having fun.”