I want to go to a camp like this! As a volunteer and a planner on the Dream Team for Peace Village I got to see all our work come fully into the light and did it shine! In many ways I felt like I got to be a camper all week.  I visited every Core class and popped into all the Village Fair activities at least once. What I saw everywhere I went is the vision of Peace Village in creating experiences to practice peace within, peace among, peace around.   --Erika Rench

I witness snapshots:
Media Literacy: watching the powerful educational video produced by Always -throw like a girl, run like a girl- with Jubitz Family Foundation visitors and our faith ambassador. There wasn't a dry eye in the adults and the kids were speechless.

Art: looking into the eyes of our campers and taking a pledge to carry the stories of the children on the courage sticks created by them during the week of camp.

Counselors: How amazing these confident, lively, loving these young adults are with our kids!

Movement: watched dance transform campers energy from negative, distracting and separate to joyous, open and connected.

 Nonviolent Communication: three weeks after Peace Village on a camping trip kids and parents joyfully and enthusiastically played- " Hey Jen." Hey what?" "Show us how you get down!"

Earth Connections: I never did find Bill off in the woods but I sat in a circle in Peace Heroes placing both hands on the earth together with children as way to ground, calm and bring themselves back to the present moment.

        What wonder, what joy Peace Village is!  How is sustains us!  What commitment and integrity goes into planning and preparing.  What dedication to uphold the shared values of Peace Within, Peace Among, and Peace Around.
        PV is not just the one week of camp, as you most likely already know:-) The continuation, presence and evolution of PV is what fuels me for the future.  My family and I live in Mexico for half of the year and because of technology and savvy leadership, I can still be a part of the process of Peace here in our community:-) even though I am 2,000 miles away!  
        I have been helping with the food at PV for a number of years and am so grateful for the sense of belonging and to have an outlet for my personal expressions of Peace.  Planning, harvesting, gathering, storing, preparing and serving food make me happy.  Thank you PV for providing me with the opportunity to discover Peace Within, Peace Among and Peace Around. 
        PV is family, clan and community.  It has evolved into a cornerstone of my family's life here in Hood River.  In the process of our communal development.  I have been cared for, nurtured, challenged and supported every step of the way!  Open and honest communication is what we do.  It is so healthy and we all seem to sincerely enjoy each others company.  
        Because of Jody Behr's masterful leadership and guidance, the PV kitchen has become super efficient and productive, serving simple, wholesome, nutritious and peaceful food!  It was really fun (and yummy:-)) to work in the kitchen this year.  The kitchen, if I may say so:-), has evolved.  Erika's commitment and courage to bring food to the campers a couple of years ago was pivotal.
        I was thrilled to have my husband Kenny in the kitchen.  Masculine energy!  He was awesome.  The food was delicious.  Dee's visionary leadership and Bill's unrelenting offers of support are what resonate with me…all in the name of Peace!  Thanks for a fabulous year.   Namaste,       Molly K