JEDDAH, 26 June 2007 — Thousands of youth will descend on Jeddah’s Old Airport to participate in a summer camp that begins on Thursday.

Labeled “Shababi Mukhaiyyam” (“Youth Camp”), the event features more than 30 different activities at the specially built Shababiyah City on a 250,000 square meter area, Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al-Hamdani, director of Call and Guidance and general supervisor of the camp, told a press conference at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday night.

“This will be the eighth annual summer camp, which will also have activities for families including lectures by religious scholars,” he said, adding that more than 750,000 participants and visitors are expected to attend the camp that will run for 38 days.

The occasion will be utilized for promoting Saudi heritage, culture and art.

The camp will be a big draw for children and youth as there will be competitions in sports activities that include swimming, and other indoor games like billiards, wall climbing, basketball and martial arts in addition to promoting interest in art and craft.

“Participants will receive instruction from coaches, play games, and receive gifts,” he said.

“Efforts are being made to make the camp attractive in a bid to attract as many participants and visitors as possible. The camp is also aimed at our youth who would otherwise venture out on vacation,” he added.

“I attended the camp last year and would like to assure prospective participants that this will be a wonderful experience,” said Abdullah Al-Mahdali, an undergraduate student at King Abdul Aziz University.

“Surely, it will be an unforgettable experience,” said Khaled Al-Ghamdi, another KAAU student who took part in some of the earlier camps here.