When you think “summer camp” you likely think of swimming, sports, crafts, and campfire songs. What if the camp had all that, and conflict resolution? Well, then you’ve likely found yourself at one of CISV’s highly selective summer camps.

CISV is an international peace organization for kids that was founded in 1950. Each summer chapters host a variety of camp options for students aged 11 to 17. This year, CISV Brandywine Valley hosted a Youth Meeting, a two-week-long camp for middle schoolers from eight different countries.

“Each participating country sends a delegation of four kids and one adult leader,” says CISV Brandywine Valley Board Member Marsha Brofka-Berends. So, what exactly does one do at a peace camp?

“CISV is primarily an educational organization, but it never takes a pedantic approach,” Marsha says. “Instead, we use what we call ‘activities’ to explore CISV’s main thematic areas: conflict and resolution, diversity, human rights, and sustainable development. Every activity is followed by a ‘debrief’ or a discussion of the activity.”

The debrief is where, as Marsha puts it, the “CISV magic” happens. As campers share their thoughts and experiences, they learn about each other, their cultures, and their countries. “And,” Marsha says, “realize that even though they are all different, they are also the same.”

While CISV activities form the backbone of the Youth Meeting, this is still camp. There are also crafts, social, and sporting activities. Each morning, the delegation of the day leads everyone in a greeting; at the end of each day, delegates gather to sing songs together.

“No matter what their native languages are,” says Marsha, “CISVers around the world all know the lyrics to ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane,’ ‘Country Roads, Take Me Home,’ and ‘Hey Jude!’”

CISV chapters take turns hosting camps and in return, they are able to send their members to camps hosted by other chapters. So, while local members did not attend the Brandywine Camp this summer, CISV Brandywine did send delegations to Guadalajara, Mexico, Padova, Italy, and Roskilde, Denmark.

And while those places may sound enticing, these camps are not about the destination, they’re about the journey.

“CISV camps aren’t tourist programs,” says Marsha. “They’re about exploring and building relationships with the other people at the camp.”

Interested in learning more? (I know I am.) CISV Brandywine Valley chapter meetings are usually held at Fugett Middle School at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (September through May). Kids aged 10+ are welcome to attend the Junior Branch (youth section) meeting in the cafeteria while parents/guardians attend the adult meeting in a nearby classroom.

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Originally published on Aug. 2, 2024

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