Desert Sands

Scouting in Saudi!

The Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts of America all have troops/packs on camp that are very active.  One of the highlights for the cub scouts in the soap box derby which is always fun to watch.  All three scouts are very involved and have multiple activities for the kids.  The Dhahran camp is very family friendly!

Cub Scouts

 

 

 

 

 

Girl Scouts

Balloons

The fifth grade class made hot air balloons out of tissue paper.  Then on one of the cool mornings here released them into the air.  The entire school came out to watch.  What a great way to support the students and make them feel special.  The kids did a wonderful job!

Halloween

Halloween is not officially celebrated off camp but it is a big deal on them!  Saudi's come in from the surround communities to trick or treat and hang out.  Here are some of the scenes from Halloween on the Dhahran Compound.  

 Security blocking off streets

 Dressed as Saudi soldiers!

Yards 

 

 Block Party Atmosphere.  There had to be at least 3000 there!  They were as far as you could see.

 

School Supplies?

They sale complete school supply kits here just like in the States.  The first time I went to the commassary to find them was over the Id Al- Fitr weekend.  I saw the gift bags which at the time didn't have the Christmas ones there but thought they had something to do with the eid.  After being told that was what I was looking for was gift bags I finally found them.  I never expected my school supplies to look like a present!  Live and learn.

Dhahran Hills Elementary School

The American run elementary school at Dhahran compound is Dhahran Hills.  It services K-5.  The school starts at 7:40 and ends at 3.  Kindergarten gets out at 10:45 for lunch and 1st-5th get out at 11:30.  They all return from lunch at 12:30.  So Kindergarten has a 2 hour lunch and everyone else has an hour that they go home. It is a wonderful school!

 Library

 Gym

Library 

 Front office

 Front

 Front

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Playgrounds