OTISFIELD (AP) — A Maine camp that brings together teenagers from the Middle East opens this week for the first of two sessions.

The first Seeds of Peace summer session brings together teens from Egyptians, Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians, along with teens from the United States and United Kingdom.

It formally kicks off on Friday.

The camp was founded on the idea of bringing together teens from countries that are in conflict with each other in hopes of opening a door to dialogue and understanding that can provide a foundation for building peace. More than 5,300 young leaders have attended the camp over the past 22 years.

Comments are not available on this story.