On August twenty-fourth, a group of delighted parents watched a series of puppet shows performed and created by the children who attended the three-day Peace Camp in Carnarvon.

In teams of two, the children animated the puppets characters with dialogue and activities to show what it means to be a peacemaker in our world. The role plays involved conversations about caring for the environment as well as participating in peaceful activities with family and community.

The performance was the culminating event of the Peace Camp, which took place at Zion United Church, in Carnarvon, from August twenty-second to the twenty-fourth. A group of twelve children, ranging between the ages of five and fourteen, registered for the Peace Camp. At the closing event, wearing T-shirts bearing a peace symbol logo and with 'Peacemaker' Certificates in hand, highlights of the camp were discussed. The delicious snacks were high on the list, with singing, games, story books, and art activities close behind. The young 'peacemakers', who came from West Guilford, Minden, Haliburton, and Carnarvon areas, also suggested the Peace Camp be longer next year.

During the morning sessions, participants discussed issues that create conflict in our world. Then the focus shifted to listing activities that encourage peace in our lives. Creative ideas flowed for all levels and some are listed below:

Family: Playing games alone or together; family walks; sharing meals and celebrations i.e. birthdays.

School: Quiet games, block centre; independent reading; outside treasure hunts; drawing outside or sketching; playing soccer; playing by the rules; learning new games; including everyone; musical activities, band practice.

Community: Walking in the parks and neighbourhoods; noticing nature, like flowers; waving to people you meet; crosswalk helpers keep us safe; police and fire protection; parades and special 'lights' events.

Country: (Canada): Free to go to school (boys and girls); freedom of speech and opinion; help for people who need it, like welfare and food banks.

World: Terry Fox Run for cancer research awareness happens around the world; Canadian Forces are working as Peace Keepers; trade agreements with other countries.

Stories of other peacemakers, youth and adult, were shared. Some of these were, six year old Ryan who started Ryan's Wells to get clean water for a school in the Congo; the Keilburger brothers, thirteen year old Marc and brother Craig, who started the organizations Leaders Today and Kids Can Free the Children, respectively. Stories of General Romeo Dallaire, Chief Seattle, and the Earth Charter were also discussed.

It was the second year for the Highland Hills United Church Pastoral Charge (HHPC) to sponsor the Peace Camp. This year the event was organized by the HHPC's Outreach Committee, consisting of Barbara Walford-Davis, Mary Hicks, Betty Mills, and Thea Patterson. Curriculum planners and leaders of the Peace Camp were Thea Patterson and Dianne Hagerman, from West Guilford, and Margaret Giles from Maple Lake. Two of the participants, Rebecca Kidd from West Guilford, and Nicholas Friend from Kennisis Lake, were designated CIT's (Counsellor in Training). The CIT's helped leaders with activities for the younger children and provided strong role models through their enthusiastic and helpful participation. A huge thank you also goes out to all the participants, parents, leaders and the support of Zion United Church, for making the Peace Camp a great experience for everyone.

A camp is being planned in Rwanda for 2012. Write to us for information or to connect with the person there.

In 2009 The Art of Peace Camps received an invitation from a Ugandan writers' group through World Vision to help establish a peace camp for war-affected youth in Gulu, Uganda. The camp ran for a full week for 23 peacemakers in April, 2009.

Woodcliff Peace Camp in Calgary started in 2009.

Woodcliff Peace Camp

From 1 pm to 3:30 pm, July 18 to July 22 2011.
Contact Dawn 403-249-3121 to register.

Location: 5010 Spruce Drive SW, Calgary, Alberta

Calling Peacemakers aged 8 to 13!

Register Soon!

Who: Children ages 8 - 13

Date: August 16 to 20, 2011

Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, with extended care available

Where: Saint Mary’s University, Robie Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Cost: $125 per week

This summer, Peaceful Schools International will again host the Art of Peace Summer Camp for 8 - 13 year-olds. The camp provides children with an opportunity to creatively explore the meaning of peace – within ourselves, in our communities and in the world.

Local artists and peace activists visit and make presentations throughout the camp. Children will learn about peace through activities such as drama, puppetry, tie-dye, and writing. Participants also have the opportunity to understand more about global peace by learning what life is like for children their age in Sierra Leone and Pakistan.

For more information, or to register, please visit the website at http://peacefulschoolsinternational.org/peacecamp/peacecamp10.htm or contact us at 1-866-532-0228 or JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING .

This is the media release from 2009:

Not every summer camp is about soccer or camp fires – this one was about peace.

Last week , Peaceful Schools International hosted The Art of Peace summer camp at Saint Mary’s University.

Peaceful Schools International is a respected source of support and guidance for more than 300 schools in 13 countries working to build a more peaceful world. As part of this effort, The Art of Peace summer camp was a five-day interactive camp for youth ages 8 to 13 aimed at helping children better understand peace and live peacefully together. This innovative program provided an opportunity for youth to come together to explore, experiment and experience the value of peace through creative and fun activities. It was the first year for the program.

"As a committed member of Peaceful Schools International, Saint Mary’s is delighted to host this innovative and practical Peace Camp for youth,” said Bridget Brownlow, Saint Mary’s Conflict Resolution Advisor. “Our university students have volunteered to assist with the camp which is an expansion of their volunteer efforts in supporting conflict resolution skills for youth in schools locally and internationally.”

Each day at the camp was dedicated to exploring one aspect of peace: What is Peace?, Peace in Me, Peace in My Family and Community, Peace in Nature, Peace in the World. The week was filled with engaging projects, such as tie-dyeing, felting, solar cooking, guerrilla gardening and puppetry, that allowed for creative experimentation, full expression and a greater grasp of the possibilities of peace that exist in each of our lives.

“We’re offering children an opportunity to actively use their creativity to learn ways of making peace at many levels,” said Saidu Timbo, a Peaceful Schools International volunteer from Sierra Leone who was one of the facilitators of the camp.

The camp also helped children make the connection to global peace.

“What’s most exciting about this is the fact that Nova Scotia children were able to connect directly with children in Sierra Leone who are also finding creative ways to learn about peace,” said Timbo.

The camp was facilitated by Carolyn van Gurp, Timbo and Dr. Hetty van Gurp, President and founder of Peaceful Schools International, along with a number of other artists, musicians, peace activists and volunteers.

“We were surprised at how quickly the camp filled up,” said Dr. van Gurp. “This just confirms our belief that families are seeking opportunities like this camp for their children to explore peace in their own lives and the world around them.”

Saint Mary’s University, an active member of Peaceful Schools International, is a proud sponsor of the Art of Peace Camp.

To keep informed about next year’s camp, please visit the Peaceful Schools International website www.peacefulschoolsinternational.org and sign up for the monthly e-bulletin. For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Dr. Hetty van Gurp, Peaceful Schools International at 866.532-0228 (toll-free), 902.526.0695 (mobile) JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING .

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For More Information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING
www.smu.ca

The Art of Peace Camps began at Scarboro United in Calgary, Alberta in 2006.

Join us this summer!

Scarboro Peace Camp

From 9 am to noon, July 18 to July 22

Contact Mela @ 403-244-1161 to register.

Location: 134 Scarboro Avenue, SW Calgary, Alberta

Peacemakers aged 9 to 13 are welcome!

Please register soon!