One year ago, the MEMRI DTTM released a comprehensive report on a series of summer camps held by Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremist (REMVE) groups in Europe, North America, and Australia over the summer of 2021. This report, titled Neo-Nazi And White Supremacist Groups In U.S., Europe Host Summer Camps Geared Toward Youth And Families Featuring Speeches Promoting White Supremacist Ideology And Intensive Training In Combat, Firearms, Drones, And Martial Arts, highlighted the many ways in which neo-Nazis and white supremacists used summer camps to grow their movement, spread their ideology, and train their members in combat and physical fitness. These camps were instrumental in rejuvenating many groups and their ideologies, and offered an opportunity for renewed international connection following the relaxing of travel restrictions imposed during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the summer of 2022 this effort was renewed, with neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in the United States, the United Kingdom, German, France, Italy, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, and the Benelux region hosting summer camps.
Similar to the camps held in the summer of 2021, the camps held this year have served primarily as a recruitment tool. Several groups promoted their camps on social media before they were to be held. Following the event, groups posted photos and videos, promoting their group and urging supporters to "join the movement."
Many of the summer camps, which white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups are promoting as "family camps," have been geared toward youth and families. Some camps showcased speeches and discussions about sexuality, gender roles, and "traditional" Christianity. The summer camps generally promote anti-LGBTQ+ and white supremacist ideology.
During the camps, groups dropped banners and disseminated promotional materials. Moreover, groups also trained in hand-to-hand combat, boxing, and martial arts. Extremists hiked and camped together as well.
The following is an excerpt of a compilation of social media posts from international groups promoting and recapping their 2022 summer camps.
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Table of Contents
United States
Australia
Benelux
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
New Zealand
United Kingdom
United States
An international white supremacist network shared two videos featuring members putting up a banner on a highway overpass. The channel also included a photo featuring members sparring with one another. The post advertised a summer camp held by the network.
Australia
A neo-Nazi organization based in Australia posted to its Telegram channel three photos of a "group training and camp weekend."
Benelux
A youth-oriented white supremacist organization operating in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands shared several photos from a weekend training event. One photo depicts a group of men posing outdoors. Another shows members holding a flag.
Germany
An international network of white supremacist groups posted a collage of several photos from a recent training camp in Germany. The camp had almost 50 attendees.
Hungary
A Hungarian white supremacist organization that promotes coordination with other European, American, and Canadian white supremacist groups posted on May 11 a promotion for a sports camp.
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