What is Peace Camp?
Peace Camp seeks to develop peaceful, empowering communities and educate for peace, nonviolence and social justice. Peace Camp encourages today’s youth – from kindergarten children to college students – to practice peace-making skills in the face of increasing violence in communities, classrooms and homes and to model nonviolent approaches to resolving conflict.
Peace Camp 2010 brings together 25-30 children, Grades 4-8, from diverse socio-economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. The young campers from all faiths have an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a day camp experience that reinforces seven themes: To respect self and others; to communicate better; to listen; to forgive; to respect nature; to play creatively and to be courageous.
Prior to the weeklong camp, college students (young adult counselors) and high school students are formally trained for several days in nonviolence principles, skill building and camp activities as outlined by Families Against Violence Advocacy Network and Parenting for Peace and Justice Network. Their evening schedule opens up opportunities for them to develop their personal and spiritual growth with planned activities.
Young adults from Mt. St. Peter and other neighboring areas offer their help in capacities such as planning, organizing and volunteering at the camp. It is an intergenerational experience and provides education and mentoring at a variety of different levels:
- Opportunity for young adult (college) counselors to learn and teach peace-making skills, participate in community living, share spiritual reflection, and serve as peace advocates beyond this experience
- Opportunity for high school counselors to learn and teach peace-making skills, volunteer their services, and serve as peace advocates beyond this experience
- Opportunity for children (Grades 4-8) to participate in fun activities (art, music, skits, games, outdoor recreation) that help them understand and demonstrate that peace, even at its basic level, is a viable option for resolving conflict in their homes, schools, playgrounds and neighborhoods.
- Opportunity to work with the families of the children before, during, and after the camp experience on communication skills and conflict management.
- Framework for bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds (age, ethnic, cultural, faith, economic) with a common purpose of incorporating peace and social justice values into their lives
The impact in advancing the goals of Peace Camp has been confirmed by the reality that the Peace Camp model developed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 2001 has spread to other cities: in 2003 and 2004 some of the college counselors who were trained at Baden developed a Peace Camp experience in Philadelphia with urban youth sponsored by the Norbertine Community; persons from the Mercy-sponsored Georgian State University in New Jersey were trained by the original Peace Camp staff and now conduct a Peace Camp on their campus; and the Sisters of St. Joseph in Minneapolis currently use our model. At least three area grade schools have initiated a peace curriculum based on this experience.
How the program is being evaluated
We will continue to ask young adult and high school counselors to complete an evaluation/reflection sheet, which in the past demonstrated that Peace Camp is a positive, significant, formative experience for 100% of the respondents. At the closing ceremony, the Camp Director and staff will continue to initiate deliberate conversations with parents to obtain their feedback. An increase in the number of Peace Camps that exist would be one indicator of long-term success. A child who grows up and puts the seven core values into practice in their adult life would be another.
Some quotes from the young adult counselors of Peace Camp give a glimpse into how Peace Camp has empowered them to identify and build on their strengths:
“It is critical to instill nonviolent virtues in children while their minds are still impressionable. And by being a counselor, I reinforced my own peaceful values with reflection and community building activities. The Peace Camp is something I will never forget. I am forever grateful for people who share my vision of a peaceful world.” (Heather)
“I realized that too many times in my life, I have tried to do everything on my own. I have learned in the last two weeks that the best work I can do is work that is done in community. I have had people that have challenged me to push myself to the limits to see what I am capable of doing…I learned that in order for our world to be more peaceful, we can all find it in the faith of a child.” (Andy)
“The practices of Peace Camp are both needed and welcomed. This camp, although I could most readily refer to it as a growth opportunity for myself as well as the children, truly assures me that peace is not just a forgotten practice or word.” (Jason)