Within Children's International Summer Villages there are a variety of programs in which one may participate. Please click a link below using the imagemap, or scroll to view the program for which you would like more information.
Village | Interchange | Summer Camp | JCs | Seminar Camp | International Youth Meeting | Leaders | Staff | Volunteers
If a youngster were to begin his or her CISV career, Village will be where to start. Village is composed of children who are 11 years of age and is usually represented by 12 countries, if the Village is four weeks in length. If the Village is three weeks in length, usually only 10 countries are present. Each country is represented by its four 11 year old delegates as well as one adult leader who is at least 21 years of age. All programs are offered throughout the world. Previously our chapter has visited Stord, Norway, and Ottawa Canada in 2006 and Fremont, California, United States of America, and Brussels, Belgium in 2005. The camp is composed of a four stage progression table. In Stage One, the camp is mainly concerned with name games and getting to know one another. Stage Two, the delegates with other countries begin working with each other while participating in Cooperation Activities. In Stage Three, the camp then begins to communicate across culture even if there is a language barrier. Delegates learn how to communicate by using inventive methods. Lastly but most importantly, in Stage Four, the concept of Trust is introduced and evaluated. Now that the delegates know, can cooperate and communicate, trust activities are implemented. Incorporated through the progression, each delegation, per country, is required to perform a National Night while there which is primarily composed of helping the other cultures and representatives understand its culture. Also, one day during the camp, the camp is opened to the public and they can have a glimpse about what CISV is which is creatively called Open Day.
The family plays a vital role in the Interchange Program. Each participant lives in the host partner’s home, allowing him or her to become a family member. This program enables not only the participants, but the entire family, to form lasting friendships and learn about another way of life, social structure and culture. Delegations experience typical family life and also meet for group activities throughout the month.
Summer Camp is CISV’s newest Program and is intended for those 13 through 15 years of age. It is a three-week international camp attended by delegations from eight to ten nations. Each delegation has an equal number of thirteen to fifteen-year-old boys and girls and an adult leader. Specific ages of the participants are determined by the host nation.
Although the Summer Camp format is similar to that of a Village, it is different in many ways. This multi-cultural camp develops a particular theme through international activities and discussion. The emphasis is on youth leadership with adult facilitation.
As in all CISV programs and activities, Summer Camp unfolds ample opportunity for fun and making new friends from around the world.
Junior Counselors are between the ages of 16 and 17 and are present at Villages. The responsibility of the JCs are similar but less than those of the Leaders. JCs are like leaders to the children but are without the liabilities that the leaders have. They are equally involved with decision making of activities and camp issues. They also run the JC Shop in Villages which is where Village members may buy CISV clothing, stamps, candies, etc. They manage the lighter work of the Village to prepare themselves as potential future leaders but are crucial to a Village setting.
Seminar camp is a three week multi-cultural experience for 17 and 18 year olds. The camp, with 30-35 participants from many nations, creates an environment of sharing ideas, concerns, and living together as a community. This unique program allows participants to create the camp and achieve its goals with the help and guidance of the staff. During the camp, participants look at the world as a whole and discuss important and timely issues from the perspectives of different cultures and nations. Secondly they will learn about like-minded organizations with which they might work for common goals. They will also accept conflicts as part of daily life and learn to resolve them. Lastly they will appreciate and carry out the responsibilities of group living, learning about cooperation and leadership.
Seminar Camp delegates do not participate as a delegation from a single Chapter. No more than four delegates from any one nation may attend a single Seminar Camp, thus ensuring a wide diversity of cultures and points of view.
The Youth Meeting evolved from the mini-camps arranged by many Chapters as local work activities for their juniors. These proved so successful that their duration was increased during major school holidays. They became first national and then international, and their program content was developed accordingly.
This type of short-term, regional theme camp is organized to provide an opportunity for young people to explore important intercultural issues and promote continued CISV participation. It reinforces values presented in the Village programme and builds skills in leadership and programme organization. The participants meet together for 6 -14 days during major school holiday periods. The age ranges for youth meetings are: 11-12, 13-14, 14-15, 16-18 and 19+. Approximately twenty participants and staff. Young people below the age of sixteen travel together in delegations with an adult leader.
Leaders are associated with all of the programs and must be at least 21 years of age. This leader becomes the legal guardian for the delegates for the duration of their voyage including traveling. Leaders are responsible for most importantly their delegates' health, safety, survival, and family belonginess just to name a few. Leaders are also responsible for carrying out CISV appropriate activities within their camps. Leaders also attend rigorous training both at the local and National levels and must have this training before they can be qualified as a leader for CISV. The training covers things such as what types of activities are appropriate to methods of safety during a natural disaster if one were to occur. The responsibility of a leader is tremendous and because of this our chapter selects only the most qualified leaders to represent our chapter.
Staff Members are used for many of the programs in the nation in which they are held. They are responsible in making the environment a safe one for the delegates and carrying out the necessary everyday tasks that take place in the background. Much of their work is not seen but it is what keeps all the people of CISV safe and sound during a camp event.
Along with Staff members, at Village, a Village Director must be chosen. The responsibility on this person is extremely high. This individual first must be 25 years of age, must have been a Village leader, a staff member, then he or she is qualified (with ample training at Local and National levels) to become a Village Director. The director oversees the Staff as well as the Leaders and JCs to ensure the safety of the Village program. They also are responsible to make decisions quickly and act in an effective authoritative manner.
Volunteers, as anywhere with a non-profit agency, help out tremendously with events. They may do laundry for the participants, cook, donate money and so much more. We appreciate all our volunteers' help!