OTISFIELD – The Seeds of Peace camp opened its 15th season Wednesday during a time of continuing turmoil in the Middle East.

The first three-week session brings together Israelis and Palestinians, as well as teens from Jordan, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the U.S.

Each delegation sang its national anthem during the opening ceremony, which concluded with the Seeds of Peace anthem and the raising of the Seeds of Peace flag.

Since its founding in 1993, more than 3,500 teenagers have attended the 67-acre lakeside camp in the Maine woods. The camp has focused on bringing together Israeli and Arab teens in a summer camp setting in hopes of moving beyond deep-rooted hatreds, and has expanded its reach over the years to bring together teenagers from other trouble spots.