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"I'm just remembering that sense of magic I had at camp. Of understanding that you can create magic wherever you go, just even based on how you look at something or what you call something or singing songs or just creating a different world." Rupaul
Can you feel the hum of summer in the air? We can! It's one of our favorite times of the year at Peace Learning Center. With three camps that serve nearly 1,500 youth, we're always excited to see bright, shining smiles that come with summer.
At Peacebuilders Camp, youth of all ages are able to have some fun while also learning critical skills in communication, conflict resolution, and caring for others. If you have a group of youth who would be interested in a Peacebuilders Camp day at Peace Learning Center, CLICK HERE.
Then, for two weeks in July we host teenagers from all over the city for Social Justice Leadership Camp, where youth walk away feeling more empowered to take part in community action. Do you know a 14-19 year old who might be interested? For additional information CLICK HERE.
Last, but certainly not least, is the extremely popular Climate Camp put on in partnership with HEART, Earth Charter Indiana and Youth Power Indiana. This camp teaches the importance of taking care of environment with hands-on learning experiences! For more information CLICK HERE
This issue of PLC News includes:
- Volunteer of the Month
- I'm Bored - What to Do
- Summer Camps
- Summer Camp at the Jones Home
- Upcoming Events
Peace on,
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VOLUNTEERING AT PLC
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VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
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Just some of the work that Larry and Joan have done on our landscaping! |
Joan and Larry Vanore are this month's Volunteers of the Month. Joan and Larry have adopted Peace Learning Center as their own personal project and have begun to help us revitalize our building and landscaping. "I have been very impressed with the plan the two of them have put together to help Peace Learning Center fix many of the issues of our building," said Director of Operations, Tiffany Tibbot.
Thank you both for everything you have done for our organization. We are very grateful to have you on our team!
As always, PLC volunteers are busy making a difference everyday! Thanks to all of you who've helped support our mission to educate,
inspi
re and empower people to build peaceful communities this past month. 
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I'M BORED - WHAT TO DO
"I'm bored." Those dreaded words falling from the lips of a child who, after a year of constant school activity; extracurricular programs; holidays; social media; television; movies, and videos - are not what any parent or grandparent want to hear.
What to do? Well, there are a myriad of opportunities to keep youth busy and engaged during the summer - but what if you were given an opportunity to attend a Family Peace Camp? Everybody all together - no matter the age. And, on top of that, the camp is located in beautiful Eagle Creek Park at the Peace Learning Center.
Sounds good - but just exactly what is a Family Peace Camp? You'll find a link in this article that gives you the dates and times of the family peace camps; as well as a short description of each session. There are six in all during the summer on Saturdays.
But quickly, family peace camp is aimed at helping families improve upon what is already good within the home. For example, understanding the dynamics of communication almost always increases respectful dialogue among family members. And, family peace campers will learn ways to resolve conflicts as well as explore the roles of family members in a respectful, and non-judgmental manner.
The extra added bonus is being able to enjoy the absolutely majestic Eagle Creek Park. Weather permitting, we will hold sessions outdoors. Just imagine the fresh air which brings extra oxygen to our bodies that in turn energizes our entire being. And, the calming effect of Nature lends itself to smoother interactions.
To learn more about family programs, contact
Naeemah Jackson
or call 317.327.7144.
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As you drive around this summer, you may see large groups of children sitting at picnic tables under park shelters.
Your first instinct may be to think it is a group there for a few hours and on their way somewhere else.
But what if you learned they were there every day during the summer from 7am to 6pm Monday thru Friday?
This is what summer camp is for many kids. Now... they don't stay at those shelters all day. Many camps march their kids to pools, recreation centers, ball fields and playgrounds, mixing physical play with arts and crafts, and even learning.
Dedicated volunteers and staff spend countless hours keeping our kids safe while working hard to provide them positive ways to learn and grow.
Growing up in Terre Haute, my parents sent us to Camp Clover, run by the local parks system. A city bus would pick us up at a nearby park and then would travel to another place to pick up other kids. With a full bus, we would travel to a county park where we set up under a park shelter each day for weeks on end. Other summers involved arts camps, Camp Rancho Framasa (an overnight weeklong stay), and then jobs that took some of the fun away.
During the summers at Peace Learning Center, we run a two-week Social Justice Camp for teen-agers, Climate Camp for all ages, and a day-long enrichment program for more than 20 day camps, leadership and teen jobs programs. We also work with summer camp staff members to help them learn our methods of social and emotional learning activities that they can share in the camps.
As Mayor Joe Hogsett says, if kids have nothing to do they rarely do nothing. Let's make the most of summer for our children.
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GROW YOURSELF
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SUMMER CAMP AT THE JONES HOME
When I was younger, my 7 siblings and I attended summer camp for 4 weeks - every year until we were 12. Our days were filled with nature hikes, learning to identify plants, trees, insects and more. Other days were filled with arts and crafts, sports, deep conversations around a camp fire, swimming and just having fun. When I look back at those days, I realize camp wasn't just fun, I actually learned quite a bit! I conquered the fear of swimming, I expanded my abilities and gained self-confidence through various activities. I made new friendships, learned a lot about teamwork and have positive memories of the experience.
When my kids were old enough, we wanted to find a summer camp for them that offered the same variety of activities I had when I was younger. After much research we made our decision and off to camp they went. It looked something like this:
Week 1: They don't like summer camp. They don't want to go back. They don't like hiking because of the bugs, they don't like packing their lunch, disapproved of the camp counselors, didn't like that they couldn't just stay home and watch TV all day because it was hot outside. Didn't like that they had to play sports and make stupid stuff in arts and crafts. Oh! And the thought of doing an overnight in a tent? That was it - they were NOT going back.
Week 2: The kids they didn't like last week are now their best friends. Hiking is pretty cool since they saw wildlife and do I know what poison ivy looks like? Trading snacks with other kids was the best thing ever, as someone always had better snacks. They got to play games with water balloons and eggs, while learning how to be a teammate and solve problems.
Week 3: Look at what we've made in arts and crafts - can we put it on the fridge? We now have BFF bracelets that we'll NEVER take off! We learned how to dive off a diving board, our team won a baseball game and we got to celebrate by throwing water on our camp counselors - they're so cool. We can't wait to see what's up for next week!
Week 4: We can't wait to stay overnight - we're going to sleep in a tent! we get to wish on stars, have a campfire, tell stories and talk about stuff you can't know about. We're going to sing songs, make s'mores and frito nachos over the fire, go on a night hike and stay up all night. We're going to be sad because we won't get to be with our friends every day, BUT can you sign us up for next year?!
YAY!! We've accomplished our goals: Fears conquered, abilities expanded, confidence boosted, friendships made, teamwork and problem solving skills learned, independence gained and memories made!
Summer Camp: Kids tested, parents approved.
PLC offers day camps that accomplish the same goals we, as parents have for our children. Check out our website for the various camps we offer. www.peacelearningcenter.org
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SUPPORT PEACE
Make Good Changes Happen!
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Please help us thank some of our donors this past month who are helping make peace possible!
Individuals:
- Dr. James and Linda Trippi
- Demetrees Hutchins
- Robert Bringle
- Diana and Clark Hadley
- Jill Chappell
- Stacy Robinson
- Matt Horan
- Janie and John Westermeier
- Barbara Townsend
- William Sweitzer
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Mini TLC for PLC presented by Giving Sum
WHAT:
Giving Sum members, Peace Learning Staff and Board invite you to join us for a day of beautification and renovation. The service day will be dedicated to outdoor activities such as cleaning gutters, burying drainage pipes, painting picnic tables, and landscaping. If interested in participating please contact Tiffany Tibbot, [email protected]
WHEN: Saturday, June 4, 2016 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Peace Learning Center, 6040 DeLong Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254
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