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In the town of Beit-Sahour, on the eastern edge about 2 Kms from Bethlehem lies the East Jerusalem YMCA / Beit-Sahour which encompasses on its premises different programs such as the Rehabilitation Program , the YMCA Shop , The Youth Sports Center , a camping area, and the Shepherds' Field Grotto.

Participants will be staying at the camping area of the YMCA… and they will also be able to use the recreational sites of it according to the sports center’s schedule.

The East Jerusalem YMCA is a vibrant and integral part of the Palestinian social movement. As a member of the World Alliance of YMCAs, the EJ-YMCA is committed to a unique vision of community based on the universal values of human dignity, peace, and justice. Through diverse programs and activities with a focus on holistic youth development, the YMCA aims to work toward the building of a viable Palestinian state based on equality and social justice for all. The YMCA believes that faithfulness to its Christian mission, which embodies openness to all religions in a spirit of love and service, will bring about the transformation of society. Within the context of oppression and Israeli military occupation, the YMCA is a beacon of hope for Palestinians throughout the West Bank. The East Jerusalem YMCA is committed to the World Council of YMCAs Challenge 21, a document formulated to aid YMCAs throughout the world to renew an understanding of their mission in the new millennium.

The East Jerusalem YMCA was established in 1949 in a tent in Aqabat Jaber Refugee Camp near Jericho. The EJ-YMCA works with all sectors of Palestinian society without discrimination. Today, the East Jerusalem YMCA operates a variety of diversified programs and activities that are consistent with its vision of Holistic Youth Development and related directly to the needs of Palestinian society. As a Christian ecumenical association that offers equal opportunities to all, the EJ-YMCA's vision for holistic youth development is based on:

• A preferential option for the poor, the weak, and the marginalized
• A commitment to human, social, and national rights.
• The building of a civil society based on democratic principles
• The development of a spirit of cooperation, responsibility, creativity, and volunteerism
• A commitment to openness, transparency, and accountability

For more information about the YMCA, please visit this link: www.ej-ymca.org

YMCA Main Building	YMCA Shop
Shepherds' Field Grotto	The Sports Center
Gym and Swimming Pool