Oklahoma Independent Media Center

The Peace House of Oklahoma City and Skyline Ministries are once again sponsoring summer camps for children and youth in Central Oklahoma. The camps -- some residential and some day only -- give participants an introduction to the concepts and practice of community-building, nonviolence, and peacemaking.

Based on grade level, four different camps are designed for Grades 1-4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, and 9-12, respectively. Details of schedule and programs below.

PEACE IN ACTION
For Grades 9-12

July 17-22nd, 2007
Held at Church of the Open Arms
3131 N. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City
10am - 6 pm daily (except Friday)
ending at 11:00 p.m. Friday Night

$80 (some scholarships available)

• What are the issues in today’s world that you care most about?
• Ever wondered what it’s like to visit with a state or federal legislator face to face?
• Have you ever thought about writing a letter to the editor to express your views?
• Would you like to know more about conscientious objection and alternatives to military service? This summer experience will introduce you to some methodologies and skills for taking action on issues that matter to you.

We’ll also include art, games, and time for connecting with new friends.

This is a program of the Peace Education Institute

WILDERNESS CAMP
For Grades 7-8

June 14-20, 2007
Held at Canyon Camp near Hinton, OK

This is a wilderness camping experience. Youth will work in small groups of about 8 to build community in the woods, with a minimum of input from adult campers. The focus is on learning how to arrive at consensus and making sure everyone in the community is cared for.

Community Building is harder than it looks. Campers are placed into a group of 8-10 and offered the challenge of building a community.

All decisions are made by consensus ... and that means everyone must agree before any decisions are final. When the teams arrive in the woods, they must immediately start working together to put up their shelters, dig latrines, and create a cooking/living area.

Learning the skills to live in the woods is one thing, but the true challenge of this camp is learning to live with other people. Adult staff members take a “hands-off” attitude to allow the youth to try out their problem-solving and relationship skills.

This camp is limited to 40 youths.

Cost: $180

Contact: 525-7936
Sponsored by the United Methodist Church

PEACE CHALLENGE CAMP
For Grades 5 & 6

July 23-27, 2007
Held at St. Francis of the Woods Retreat Center near Coyle, OK

This is a residential camp that focuses on forgiveness and reconciliation as options for conflict resolution. Small groups of 4 share a cabin, take on low-element challenges, cook and plan together.
$125

Experience a team approach to problem-solving on low-rope elements.

Art, drumming, cooking, hiking.

Hear guest speakers talk about how they overcame the urge to find revenge and choose a path of reconciliation & forgiveness.

Learn communication skills, problem analysis, creative thinking and leadership skills

This camp is limited to 16 children. Cost: $150

Contact: 204-6479

This camp is sponsored by Skyline Urban Ministry and the Peace Education Institute.

FUTURE SHAPERS!
Grades 1-4

June 11-July 6, 2007
Lambuth United Methodist Church
38th & South Shields, Oklahoma City

This camp will focus on leadership skills for younger children including public speaking, long leading, brainstorming,etc. Lots of art is included and weekly swimming trips. A hot lunch is served every day along with a breakfast and afternoon snack.

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m Monday-Friday

$300 (some scholarships available)

• Consensus building
• Public speaking
• Team work
• Problem solving

What would you do if you were in charge of the world? Of your school? Of your family? How would you make it different and better?

Hot meals, outside play time, weekly swimming trip, field trips, etc.

Cost: $300 for the full 4 weeks. This camp is limited to 40 children.

Contact: 405-204-6479
Sponsored by Skyline Urban Ministry

SPONSORS
The Peace Education Institute is a new organization in Oklahoma City. Its goal is to provide information and experiences that will inspire people to work for a more peaceful planet, taking into account the needs of the planet and all its inhabitants.

Skyline Urban Ministry has deep roots in providing programs for urban kids. Skyline is an agency of the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church which sponsors the Wilderness Camp.
(www.skylineurbanministry.org)

The Peace House, founded by the Benedictine Sisters in 1981, has a longstanding commitment to peace, justice and environmental sustainability with a long track record of involvement in these areas.
(www.peacehouseok.org)

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE
Tax-deductible donations can me made to support these camps to either of the following agencies:

Skyline Urban Ministry
701 N.W. 8th
OKC, OK 73102

The Peace Education Institute
2912 N. Robinson
OKC, OK 73102

Please designate checks to:
Peace Camps Scholarships

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY OF THESE CAMPS,
http://peacehouseok.org/PeaceCamps.html