The Sharjah Museums Department (SMD), in partnership with various government authorities, organizations and individuals in the UAE, recently hosted visitors from a number of summer camps and groups with the aim to enhance the national and historical culture of the UAE's people. As part of this initiative, more than 150 students - who are participating in the military training course at the Dubai Police Academy - visited Sharjah Aquarium. Commenting on the occasion, Colonel Rashid Khalifa bin Darwish Al Falasi, Director of the Training Institute and Coordinator of the Military Course at the Dubai Police Academy, said: "Through this summer training program we were keen to translate the directives of the Dubai Police General Headquarters in spreading cultural and environmental awareness among students with the aim of improving their cultural and educational level, and familiarizing them with the heritage and crafts of their parents and grandparents". The Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority arranged for 30 of its summer camp (Our Heritage Summer 2011) participants to visit the Sharjah Archaeology Museum, where they were able to learn about the emirate's past through displays of artefacts, films and interactive computer games, as well as realistic models of burial sites, houses and tombs. People have lived in Sharjah for at least 7000 years and the visitors were able to learn how their ancestors adapted to the environment, what food they ate, the houses they built, and the weapons, jewellery and everyday objects they made. Over 90 participants from the eight Youth Centres in the emirate of Sharjah participated in field visits to tourism and cultural landmarks across the emirate as part of a series of "Our Summer is Different" activities organized by the General Directorate of Youth Centres in Sharjah, and sponsored by Emirates Transport. The month-long series included visits to the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Bait Al Naboodah, Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim and the Sharjah Art Museum, as well as Al Mahatta Museum, the Sharjah Car Museum and Sharjah Aquarium. Ahmed Sulayman Al Hammadi, Director General of the Youth Centres, stated that the diverse range of summer activities offered by the Youth Centres to students during its summer camps include cultural, educational, sporting and entertainment programs. The Sharjah Archaeology Museum, in turn, hosted more than 250 students from the Police Friends course, organized by the General Headquarters of Sharjah Police. In addition, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization hosted over 200 students from various parties, including Al Dhaid Cultural Club, Al Thiqa Club for the Handicapped, and Dibba Al Hisn Sports and Cultural Club. The museum also hosted students from the summer camps of various ladies clubs in Wadil Al Hilo, Al Mulaiha, Kilba and Al Thamid. It further received students from the University of Sharjah's summer camp, students from Al Hamriyah Forum, as well as a number of visitors from the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs' Children's and Girls Centres. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Manal Ataya, Director General of the SMD, said: "This year we were keen to organize a number of summer activities in cooperation with both government and non-government organizations in the UAE, in general, and in the emirate of Sharjah, in particular. These activities were aimed at positively engaging children during the summer. In line with this, the SMD prepared a special program to help improve the knowledge of participants while enhancing their sense of belonging to the nation."