Standing in front of a crowd of 60 children at Friend Camp NWA on Wednesday, Camp Director Liz Emis talked about generosity, emphasizing its importance toward both people and the Earth. She explained the concept of conservation, using water as an example of a finite resource.

“How do you know if you’re taking more than your fair share?” she asked the group. “We have to be mindful of being generous to others. If there is enough to spare, there is enough to share.”

As the daily opening ceremony wrapped up, campers followed along to an energetic song and participated in a universal prayer.

This was day three of the four-day summer camp for second- through sixth-graders. The purpose of the annual camp is to foster friendships between children of different religions while also honoring and teaching about those traditions.

This year’s represented faiths included Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu, Indigenous/Native traditions, Islam and Judaism, as well as campers and staff who do not identify with a particular faith.

“In a camp like this, you have a very unique situation,” Emis said. “You have a lot of children that are processing who they are and who they are in relation to … others around them. Some of them haven’t been exposed to other faiths, so how do we live together while respecting each other’s unique and beautiful differences?”

Each day Friend Camp NWA has a theme and community service aspect. To “Celebrate Solidarity,” students decorated pillowcases for Sleep in Heavenly Peace Northwest Arkansas, a national nonprofit whose Bentonville chapter provides beds and bedding to children in need in both Benton and Washington counties.

To “Celebrate Generosity,” Jane Maginot, a Washington County Extension Agent from the University of Arkansas specializing in stormwater and water quality, discussed water usage. Students contributed pantry items and water to the First Christian Church food pantry.

To “Celebrate New Beginnings,” the students made dog and cat toys for adoptable pets after hearing a presentation from Bentonville Animal Services. For “Light & Hope,” they designed encouraging cards for the staff of Circle of Life Hospice.

“This is a camp where we learn, no matter your faith, it is because of your faith that we are to be in solidarity with all of those around us, and that is what creates community wholeness,” Emis said.

Friend Camp NWA is an extension of Friendship Camp of Central Arkansas, created by Interfaith Center of Arkansas in Little Rock around a decade ago. The organization’s overall mission is to reduce fear and prejudice among the world’s religions. It was founded by Sophia Said, originally from Pakistan, after her children were bullied in American schools. 

“They decided that starting with children, teaching them how to have friends from different faiths, was vital to a safe and kind community,” said the Rev. Patricia Matthews, executive director for Interfaith Center of Arkansas.

Friend Camp NWA is in its second year. Emis brought the concept to Bentonville after spending time as a camp counselor for the original program in Central Arkansas.

“I wanted to create some kind of camp where children were both able to exercise their autonomy and their authenticity, and their innate drive for community and solidarity, because they already have it, they’re born with it,” Emis said. “And honor that their faith, no matter their faith, is inherently laced within that.”

Volunteer Kyoko Arakawa was drawn to the camp to be a representative of Buddhism. She said she has been inspired by how accepting the children are of each other’s differences. 

“That just really opened my eyes, and the importance of hearing what they say …  the importance of giving them the confidence that whatever they are feeling is fine,” she said. “We treasure that. Instead of this is the way we should think, or this is the way they should think.”

Sidra Siddiqui, a Bentonville High School senior representing the Islamic faith, was one of the student volunteers. Originally from Pakistan, Siddiqui said that moving to a new country at age 7, making friends, and learning a new language was challenging. She hoped to make a meaningful impact on the students.

Both Matthews and Emis are looking to expand the program across Arkansas and the country, providing a model for other communities to follow.

“If we can do camps with kids, but also adult programs too, all around the state, then suddenly Arkansas becomes this really vibrant place where it’s safe, and it’s inclusive, and people get along,” Matthews said.