Peace Education Institute announce 2009 summer camps schedule

The summer peace camps program offered by The Peace Education Institute is now in its third year of providing young people an opportunity to explore ideas and issues, to expand their knowledge of history, and to develop cooperative, community-building skills that will serve them throughout life.

* Peace Challenge Camp (for rising 5th & 6th graders) will be July 27-31.

This is a residential camp that takes place at St. Francis of the Woods Retreat Center in Coil, OK. It has a maximum enrolment of 16 students. The 5 day camp starts with a visit to the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum and then a trip to St. Francis of the Woods. The kids live in cabins of 4 campers, a teen helper and adult counselor. Throughout the weeks, they live and work together in this small team, including cooking and cleaning their home space. The curriculum focuses on non-violence as the preferred method for problem-solving. There is a lot of art and some team challenges that are scattered around the campus. Guest speakers include people who have experienced violence and have overcome the need for retribution and bitterness.

The cost of this camp is $200.00. Scholarship assistance is available.

* Peace Makers in Action (for rising 9-12 graders)

The High School Peace Camp is located at 3131 N. Penn Ave., Oklahoma City, OK. Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Vegetarian lunches are provided.

This summer, the youths will receive the full 20 hours of nonviolence training provided in the workshop entitled: “Creating a Culture of Peace: Nonviolence for Personal and Social Change.”

There is plenty of time for creativity in this camp. Bands form, photography groups emerge, etc.

The cost of this camp is $100. Scholarship assistance is available.

For details about the camps or to register, visit www.PeaceEducationInstitute.org, or call 405-204-6479.