1997 – 2011. It has been fifteen years since the renaissance, and so to say, creation of the camp. Large-scale laborious activities are carried out each year to improve the material-technical infrastructure and educational program.

The now well-known Arai camp sprang up on the banks of Syrdaria river in 1997. It was then when the first brick of White Yurta was laid, and a major job on reconstruction of buildings and decoration of facilities on the territory of the camp began. The creation of the summer camp had become a turning point in the program of improvement of younger generation’s health. It has become the beginning of PKKR’s activities for the benefit of children. PKKR had undertaken to provide sponsorship which since then has been given in the form of free vouchers for children from poor families and orphanages. Thanks to the Company’s efforts a new educational program was established and implemented. In the framework of this program economic, English language, sports, art and other groups were organized. Their purpose is to plant a love for learning and develop skills in the practical arts via accessible and fascinating way.

To implement this program a competition was held to select creative teachers having university degrees and specialists with the knowledge of child psychology. Later, on the basis of the camp a Job Market was created which quickly acquired a wide popularity. Its purpose is to teach children the basics of economics and relations.

At present there are 19 hobby clubs in the camp. The most popular ones are the applied folk arts clubs. In order to revive the traditions, way of life, decorative and applied arts of Kazakh people, in camp were formed such hobby clubs as: pottery, carpet and mat weaving, syrmak-embroidery, kurak-korpeshe, woodcarving and Kazakh wrestling, as well as folklore, where children learn to play the ancient folk instruments. Even the workshops where children get educated are located in yurts, where children plunge into the roots of national creativity, where they feel and perceive, while working with natural material, the spirit and unique identity of Kazakh masters – shebers. In the process of integrating the art of our ancestors and combining it with modernity were created such hobby clubs as: beadwork, crochet, soft toys, patchwork, clothes modeling. These hobby clubs contribute to the development of aesthetic taste in children.

To see the beauty, to reproduce the beauty of natural material and world around us is also being taught in arts and sculpture clubs. Here children work with clay and plasticine, leather and straw, paint fabrics in cold batik technique. All of this helps the harmonious development of personality, the identification of talented children. Sports and dances are being liked by all without exception, and therefore toguz-kumalak, football, basketball and choreography clubs became so popular.

In order to develop creative abilities of children were opened computer and economics clubs, where children get acquainted with the basics of business, presentation skills and wielding the pen. In order to prepare them for future journalistic activities the Arai News children’s newspaper was created, in which children publish their poems, articles and compositions with great pleasure. In the most widely read newspaper of our camp, young journalists cover all holidays, express their wishes and notes.

In 1999 the Company financed the purchase of computers for the camp and the opening of a computer literacy group. To the children’s joy a “Wonderland” puppet show was opened to train artistry skills. The English speakers from the USA Peace Corps in Kazakhstan made a significant contribution in implementation of the general program of the camp. A Cinema hall was opened. In addition, the camp was equipped with a radio cabin and modern audio and video equipment. Finally, a laundry, a hygiene room for girls and sauna that meet all sanitary norms were opened.

In 2001 the Company sponsored the reconstruction of a water pool and a sports ground. A Robinson Crusoe’s hut, Shakherezada’s tent, Farmstead, Winter Tale and a Jungle Corner were built by the teachers to make children feel like in a world of fairytales. Auyl with its colorful yurts has added the national colour to the camp and provided shelters to the masters.

To improve the health of children and instill a healthy lifestyle a number of sports activities were planned. One of the memorable sports events was the conducting the first soccer tournament on Company Cup among oblast school children which later became a tradition.

Full-fledged and interesting life of Arai camp habitants attracted close attention of the mass media. At present, the camp continues to accept 1,080 children every year. Arai-Sunrise children’s summer camp is rightfully considered to be the best in the country. PetroKazakhstan’s annual expenses on maintenance of the camp exceed 700,000 US dollars.