The annual Peace Village camp is held in late summer at High Mesa Healing Center in Alto, New Mexico. Peace Village is a multicultural day camp with the mission to provide a fun, educational environment in which children can learn the messages of and practice non-violence and peacemaking from various world traditions. All activities encourage respect for racial and cultural diversity. In 2006 two nonprofit corporations, Peace Village and Youth Enrichment Services, collaborated with Barbara Mader, owner of the healing center, to make the camp a success. In 2008, we are partnering with Peace Village.Org, with Boyd & Kelly of The 7 Rays Ranch Project and with The Ruidoso Equine Experience to bring quality experiences to the children
Dedicated adults and teens begin their planning early in February or March for the late summer event. They come from many fields: teachers, exercise experts, artists, musicians and health professionals. The enthusiasm of these people is contagious and inspiring. They work for the sake of the children and, through the children, for the future of the planet.
The children meet in an opening circle each morning to formally begin the day, and where they will hear inspiring short talks from local leaders about a topic related to Peace. It might be a discussion about the similarities & differences among different cultures or various methods of non-violent conflict resolution. Then the kids break up into groups by ages for many other classes.
In the afternoon organized musical games and rhythm band activities entertain the children while teaching the value & fun of team activities. Local coaches and high school sports stars introduce the kids to sports they may not have had the opportunity to experience, and stress sportsmanship and fair play. The young people also enjoy nature walks in the beautiful forest that surrounds the center, often to collect items they will use later in craft projects.
All classes and experiences are developmentally appropriate for each age group seven through thirteen. Every year high school students serve as group leaders, mentoring the children in their groups. The interactions between campers and teens, who serve as positive role-models, are one of the most important aspects of the camp.
On Friday, the last day of camp, parents are invited to a candle light graduation ceremony where each child receives a certificate of participation and a T-shirt.
The core group of leaders/planners include Barbara Mader, director of HMHC; Kaylah Glasgow; Jara Berg; & Genni Berg. The teachers may change each year, but often include Jim Blackburn, local Rolfer and T’ai Chi teacher; Robert Campbell, Mescalero forester; Dr. George Brown, biofeedback specialist; and many others.
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