We have been eager to apply our learning from the Middle East programs over the last decade in a US-based overnight summer camp, to directly address our own familiar social and cultural divides. In 2023, we were finally able to launch our first ever Camp UP in the US.

UP alumni, staff, and Board believed our innovative Middle East program design and approach had great potential to be applied in the US and impact a segment of the next generation of young US leaders. We were thrilled to see our instincts were on point. UP has now hosted three highly successful US camps, which now bring over 100 youth together each summer. Our CIT (Coach-in-Training) program is now full every summer, and demand for camper and coaching spots is growing from within and outside of the US. We heavily subsidize camper participation to ensure maximum access to all.

We realized the power of this camp would be exponentially increased if our community was highly international, so we committed to bringing youth from India, the Middle East, and Colombia. With top coaches from those countries accompanying traveling campers, and expansion in participation broadening to Mexico and Countries in Africa, we see the future emerging of a large, connected, and fully integrated Ultimate Peace community.