Planting seeds of peace: teenagers from conflict-torn world build bridges at summer camp

The campers stayed at a boarding school in Tavistock for three weeks in an experience many said was challenging but life-changing. Photograph: Jim Wileman/The Guardian

On the surface it looks like a normal summer school in the Devon countryside, with teenagers playing volleyball in the sun, doing arts and crafts in the hall, and preparing for the night’s talent show.

But behind the scenes, intensive discussions are taking place. Many of these teenagers come from opposite sides of historical national conflicts – from Israel and Palestine, India and Pakistan.