AVONDALE PEACE CAMP

Purpose     

To reach out to children in our community of Avondale. To enable the Center for Peace Education to offer a summer Peace Camp for young children in the Avondale community.  

Background         

Since the 1980's, the Center for Peace Education (CPE) has provided youth and adults in school communities with the training, resources and strategies needed to appreciate differences  and resolve conflicts constructively.  Peace Camp is an additional program, started over 10 years ago in collaboration with the Inter-Community Justice and Peace Center (now Cincinnati Bridges for a Just Community).  Prior to 2007 the program had been operating in three inner-city neighborhoods.  Each of these two week summer programs serves approximately 50 children between the ages of 6 and 12.  Camps are free of charge. Professionally trained staff use experiential activities to promote self-esteem, positive communication, cooperation, appreciation of diversity and conflict management skills. 

Recent Activity 

In 2006,  the Social Justice Committee of First Unitarian Church approved the allocation of funds from its budget  to open a new Summer Peace Camp in Avondale. The camp was held during the latter part of July, 2007. The response on the part of campers and parents was overwhelming and enrollment exceeded all expectations. 

Current and Future Plans 

Plans are in the making to continue this successful venture in the summer of 2008.  The committee intends to apply for appropriate grant monies to expand the Avondale program.  We are looking at the possibility of lengthening the camp session from two to three or four weeks andproviding a similar camp experience for area teens or  for more youth.  These ideas and others will be part of our joint discussion and negotiations with CPE. 

Contact 

Joy Haupt         221-7726         joyhaupt@fuse.net