Halifax Peace Camp
Who: Children ages 8 - 13
Date: August 16 to 20, 2010
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 info@peacefulschoolsinternational.org.
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Saint Mary's University President Dr. J. Colin Dodds joined campers last week at The Art of Peace Summer Camp hosted by Peaceful Schools International in 2009. Will you be there this year?! |
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) hvangurp@mail.com.
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For More Information:
Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca