The Springfield Peace Center hosts a Peace Camp every year with the goal to improve behavioral health in individuals by helping them develop non-cognitive skills that lead them to live healthier, happier lifestyles. Non-cognitive skills include critical thinking, self-motivation, empathy, and social skills along with emotional health, work ethic and community responsibility. These skills strengthen certain areas such as conflict management, alternatives to violence, understanding self and embracing diversity. Peace Camp directly targets this need with hands-on learning in a fun, upbeat and safe environment with direct interaction and through meditation training.
Strong non-cognitive skills allows students to be able to have better self control and strengthened empathy skills. Peace Camp directly works with children to help them develop alternatives to violence, conflict management and a greater understanding of themselves and personal responsibility. According to the Youth Behavior Risk Report, “Victimization is correlated with increased use of drugs and alcohol, increased sexual activity, depression, anger and anxiety.” Developing skills such as positive conflict management takes stresses off children later in life that lead to negative behavioral health.
The 2019 Peace Camp will be held June 3rd-7th. Camp runs from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM; during this time students are separated into classrooms according to their age group. Each classroom has a lead and an assistant teacher, as well as a trained teen mediator to assist and educate with any conflicts that may arise. Students participate in interactive games, crafts and activities that are fun and uplifting.
Students will receive hands-on learning by an instructor that will target certain areas of non-cognitive development such as empathy, self-awareness, self-motivation, embracing diversity and the ability to care for oneself and others. Students will also learn through meditation training a unique skill set where they learn to be effective and productive managers of conflict. By helping students develop an increased self-esteem and understanding of others, the Springfield Peace Center aims to help them prevent interpersonal conflicts later in life and to know how to handle a situation on conflict in the right way.
Support from local volunteers, partners and the United Way of Clark, Champaign and Madison Counties keep this camp free to all student participants. Also, camper registration is now open!
United Way is proud to fund an agency that is making such an impact in the community of Clark County. If you are interested in learning more about, or getting involved with Springfield Peace Center call (937) 327-3977.
