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Peace Camp International Seattle
Peace Camp International Seattle is a unique all-ages(K-12), non-denominational community day-camp experience for children and youth which takes place each Summer at the Interfaith Community Sanctuary in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, WA. Campers and counselors gather from within the Seattle community and worldwide (especially from our affiliate organizations in India and Uganda) to help integrate the beauty of the gifts within through a variety of activities. It is a wonderful way for participants to make connections with others from across the globe!
Our mission is to create a safe and peaceful space for every and each child throughout our camp experiences. We want all children feel welcome, loved, accepted and included – not one will be left out! Our experienced counselors lead our fun activities by modeling empathy, inclusiveness and kindness. Teen counselors-in-training are there to help invite young participants to all activities in the ‘Peace Camp’ way. At the end of the week, our participants feel well connected with their ‘Peace Camp International’ family with big smiles and excitement!
All children are welcome whether they are able to pay the tuition fee, or not. No child is turned away because of lack of finances.
Peace Camp International foster and nourish authentic and heartfelt relationships by offering participants time for arts and crafts, free play, sports, swimming, field trips, games, as well as creative and imaginative play that arises when young people feel safe and have time to create.
We integrate peace and harmony within and throughout by honoring and holding sacred the following 5 pillars:
Circle Time:
We will have community sharing and reflection two times in the day – morning and evening. This is a time where we can share and listen from the heart with one another.
- Candle lighting ritual honoring the light within one’s being and within others – light upon light
- Circle of Love (opening and closing circle in our sanctuary), which includes some of the following: sharing name, feeling, and what one is looking forward to, compliments, gratitude, and forgiveness
- Morning Meditation – silent, chant across faith traditions, relaxing music, guided meditation
- Dance Time – dances from around the world and locally known
The Arts/Creativity:
Each day, free open play will be offered. The children are free to explore hands-on activities across the arts – visual, literature, drama, building and music. Activities include beads, friendship bracelets, drawing, origami, lego, board/card games, singing.
Active/Kinesthetic:
Walking to and exploring neighborhood parks, cooperative games, inventive games, unstructured outdoor play, swimming and more! Our children often enjoy playing two-square ball games, bean bag toss, badminton, volleyball, frisbee, …etc. with their friends and counselors in our outdoor space.
Exploration:
We offer various field trips throughout the week such as: walking to various local parks, swimming at Ballard pool, going to a local candy store, …etc. Group process will follow each activity, so that children can reflect on what they experienced and their thinking and feeling about it.
Journal writing/Closure:
Each evening will culminate in a journal reflection starting from self and branching out into larger wonder. There will be time to share with the group if desired. Our closing circle of love in the sanctuary follows to reconnect with each other before going home.
Sample Camp Schedule
| 930am | Free-Play indoor/outdoor as our participants arrive |
| 10am | Opening Circle – candle lighting ritual, circle of love, morning meditation, dance |
| 1030am | Snack time & Free-play indoor/outdoor |
| 1130am-3pm | Daily activities/field trips and Lunch
|
| 3pm | Journal writing |
| 330pm | Closing Circle – circle of love : sharing feeling, compliments, gratitude and forgiveness |
| 4pm | Good-bye |
Sponsorship and Partners
Peace Camp International is a project of United Village, which operates under the non-profit fiscal sponsorship of Interfaith Community Sanctuary. Our partners include Interfaith Community Sanctuary in Seattle, Maher Ashram in Pune, India, and Uganda Martyrs Orphans Project in Tororo, Uganda. We sponsor and host youth and adults from India and Uganda to participate as leaders with our leaders in Seattle.
All donations are sent through our fiscal steward, Interfaith Community Sanctuary. 100% of the funds specifically sent to United Village go directly towards the projects we support. Read more about Our Projects.
Thank you for your interest and partnership in supporting the work of United Village and Peace Camp International!
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