PEACE Environmental
Education
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FOUNDED in
1993 by Vacamas Programs for Youth
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS
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to provide students with an
experiential education experience
centered on environmental studies.
The topics covered will stem from
school curriculum and will be
developed into "hands-on" activities
carried out in our rural learning
laboratory. The students'
experiences as members of the
Vacamas ecosystem will relate
directly back to their home
environment and to the global
community.
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to facilitate experiences that
will empower children to recognize
their own self-worth and in doing
so, improve their self-esteem.
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to care for the students in a
safe, nurturing environment which
engenders self and group
exploration.
PROGRAM
Core Offerings
Night Experiences - students are
introduced to topics which deal
specifically with nocturnal activity
including human adaptations to the
night, predator/prey adaptations,
constellations and moon cycles.
Included in our nighttime program is
a night hike which allows the
students first-hand exploration of
the covered topics as well as
encouraging them to embrace the
wonders of the night. Night
activities include night drawing,
bat/moth, night running and human
rock.
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Challenge Activities - through a
series of initiative games and
challenge activities, students learn
the components necessary for
successful group work. The
development of skills such as
listening, problem solving, trust
and personal responsibility is
stressed.
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Sensory Awareness - students
learn to fine-tune their senses
enabling them to perceive more in
their surroundings. Concepts such as
basic survival needs,
photosynthesis, animal adaptations
and the five senses introduce
students to the inter- relationships
which exist in the natural world.
Hug-a-tree, camouflage game and
photosynthesis scenario are some of
the activities which are utilized to
encourage improved sensory
awareness.
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Food for Thought - after each
meal a student or staff member will
share practical "Earth saving"
suggestions which can be implemented
locally but which can have global
impact when everyone works together.
Topic examples include composting,
recycling, paper v. cloth and
rechargeable batteries.
Also included in our VEEP programs:
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