Participants in action during the recently concluded Katara Summer Camps at the Katara Cultural Village in Doha.
DOHA: Summer camps across Qatar in 2026 have provided children and young people with more than a way to pass the long school holiday.
Government ministries, Cultural Village Katara, sports bodies and community institutions have used the summer season to offer structured programmes combining education, physical activity, cultural awareness, personal development and values-based learning.
The breadth of this year’s programmes reflects a growing emphasis on making children’s free time productive while supporting families and contributing to the development of confident, healthy and socially responsible young people.
The cooperation among different ministries and institutions is particularly important. The Education Ministry’s learning programmes, the Sports and Youth Ministry’s physical activities, Awqaf’s values-based initiatives and the Ministry of Interior’s safety programmes address different aspects of children’s development.
Qatar’s summer-centre model has also involved several government entities, sports clubs and youth organisations working together to provide varied activities.
Among the programmes is the annual “Saifuna Ala Kaifna 2026” summer programme being organised by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs through its Department of Da’wah and Religious Guidance.
The programme ran from July 5 to 30 and brought together more than 1,000 boys aged 10 to 15 at 10 centres located across Qatar. Activities combined religious and moral education with interactive and recreational programmes designed to strengthen children’s personalities and encourage positive behaviour.
For the Ministry of Awqaf, such programmes also serve a wider social purpose of giving young people a safe environment in which values, discipline, knowledge and social responsibility can develop alongside recreation.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education also organised Student Activity Centres for Summer 2026 under the slogan “Invest in Their Summer with Creativity.”
The centres operated from July 5 to August 3, targeting students aged 6 to 18. Five centres offered educational, creative and interactive activities, while a dedicated centre was provided for students with disabilities.
Children participate in the recently concluded summer camp at the Katara Cultural Village.
The Ministry has also continued its Language and Culture Camps, sending high-achieving Grade 11 Qatari students to France, Germany and Japan for intensive language learning and cultural experiences. The four-week programme was designed to improve language skills while exposing students to different cultures and international environments.
Under the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Qatar Sports for All Federation launched Summer of Sports for All 2026, featuring more than 90 sporting, community, recreational and awareness programmes between June 29 and August 20. Activities have been held at sports clubs, youth centres, public parks and other venues around the country, targeting children, young people, adults and families.
The emphasis on physical activity is particularly significant during a long summer holiday. Regular sport can encourage healthier lifestyles, teamwork, discipline and confidence while reducing sedentary leisure time.
Katara Cultural Village’s summer camps are providing children and young people with a range of educational, cultural and recreational activities during the summer break.
The camps offer participants opportunities to develop new skills, explore their creativity and take part in activities designed to promote teamwork and learning in an engaging environment. The programme also aims to encourage children to make productive use of their holiday while discovering Qatar’s culture and heritage.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Police Sports Federation organised a summer programme for daughters of Ministry of Interior personnel from July 6 to 23, attracting 102 participants. The programme combined swimming, self-defence, artistic and educational workshops, awareness lectures, cultural competitions and field visits.
Such initiatives show another important function of summer camps and that is prevention and awareness. By engaging young people in supervised activities, institutions can introduce messages about safety, responsibility and positive conduct.
