Proposed and In Progress: Programs for Children and Families
Call or email to see what is currently available.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS
CHARACTER IN CLASS (estimate 8 sessions, plus Field Trip)
Trained volunteers become “Peace Educators” and present a Character Education lesson in the classroom. Timeframe in the classroom can be adjusted from 30-60 minutes. The lesson plan may include discussion, activity sheets, craft, role play, teamwork, quiet reflection, and hands-on activities. The basic lesson plan is taken from the “Learning for Life®” curriculum. A Pre and Post test will be presented to the students for evaluation. It is recommended that a minimum of eight sessions be presented in the classrooms. This can be done twice a week, once a week, or extended over a longer period depending on the class/school schedule. After the sessions are presented, the classroom is invited to take a Field Trip to the Children’s PEACE Center to put into practice what they’ve learned. This reinforces the concepts in a fun, hands-on, experiential manner. The program can be done for one complete grade level at a time or more as worked out with the school. Scheduling is flexible.
This is a highly recommended program to aide schools in meeting the Character Education goals mandated by the Georgia Board of Education. All lesson plans are tested and approved by the Board of Education and all hands-on exhibits support the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and Quality Core Curriculum (QCC) and have been utilized in various schools for over 8 years.
CHARACTER FIELD TRIP (estimate one week timeframe)
Entire program set up at school or other location for week timeframe in gymnasium space. (In-House Field Trip or Regular Field Trip) Volunteer intensive program, one adult to four children, benefits Elementary children as they are introduced to basic peacemaking skills.
Includes four concepts of peace: inner peace, learning to identify and control emotions are included in BE ME; community peace, conflict resolution, communication and teamwork is in the BE A COMMUNITY section; cultural diversity, languages, global community relations are learned in the BE GLOBAL section, and the message of ecology and appreciation of nature is in the BE EARTHWISE section.
These are all presented with interactive, hands-on exhibits, that are fun and challenge the participants to develop good teamwork in order to reach their goals.
BE ME – or “What is Unique?” (estimate 1 hour timeframe)
A program to help children recognize their uniqueness and how they can use their special abilities to discover peace within themselves. Exploration of emotions and feelings, learning self control, what to do when angry. Discover your own talents and how to use them to be a more resourceful and peaceful person.
Exhibits from CPC Outreach (Be ME) will be utilized, along with activity sheets, coloring pages (for younger children), and a self-discovery game.
BE A COMMUNITY – or “Hands are for Helping” (estimate 1 hour timeframe)
Utilizing exhibits from CPC Outreach (Be a COMMUNITY), children explore daily relationships of family and friends. Children learn the steps to conflict resolution through role plays with puppets. Learning cooperation and teamwork by working together on certain exhibits, they learn it’s fun to help each other. Younger children learn to use their hands for sharing not hurting, while older ones learn how to use their hands for building and helping others. Identifying ways to communicate better are emphasized in some exhibits, activity sheets and group games.
An additional step could be added where the children create a “peace table” in their classroom or a “peace place” in their home and create their own worksheets that include the conflict resolution steps. This place would be designated as the location that anyone having a conflict or problem with another student could go to work out their conflict in a safe and productive way. Resources would be provided. (additional time requirements would be added)
BE GLOBAL – or “Puppets are people too” (estimate 1 hour timeframe)
Learning about our cultural diversity is fun with different types of puppets, interactive maps and globes. A special puppet show discusses racial prejudices, and stereotyping in a safe, fun manner. Puzzles show where various children of the world live and dress. Children discover housing conditions and look for the differences and the sameness of each country. They also get to practice five different languages by playing computer games.
By using exhibits from CPC Outreach (Be GLOBAL), children learn to understand and appreciate the beauty of diverse cultures and languages. Activity sheets, and cultural games are used to help children relate better.
An extra program can be added for children to understand the economic differences and impact on the worlds viewpoint through role plays and games. (additional time requirements would be added.)
BE EARTH-WISE – or “Do Animals really tell Tales?” (estimate 1 hour timeframe)
Discover the beauty of the earth and why it’s important to keep it clean. Animal puppets explain why they are endangered and challenge the children to find ways to help eliminate the problem. Pollution is discussed, it’s causes, impact and possible solutions. Through puzzles, questions, computers, work sheets, and creative games, children learn to appreciate the earth and determine the best ways they can actually help to improve it. The terms Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce are examined with fun interactive exhibits taken from CPC Outreach (Be EARTHWISE).
An extended program can include a nature “scavenger hunt” to increase observation skills and/or a Recycle Craft activity where children use their imagination and “found trash” to create something useful or fun. (added time requirement is needed)
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
BRING PEACE TO LIFE
This program brings the concepts learned in the CPC Outreach programs, Be Me, Be a Community, Be Global, and Be Earth-wise to a child’s everyday life. The children will develop, discuss and implement projects to take the concepts learned in the above programs to make a difference in the real world.
For instance, in Be a Community, the child would use the skills he learned to resolve a real life conflict. The second week of the program, the child will share his experiences with the other members of the group.
In the Be Me section, the child sees he can make an impact on the world. The children determine a project to demonstrate the difference they can make. For instance, they could do random acts of kindness for one week and come together the next week to evaluate what difference it made in their lives and others. This project is completed over a two-six week period.
With the Be Global section, children learn about children from different countries, learn some words in different languages and why it’s important to learn to understand cultural diversity in our country. For their project, they might decide to visit an Embassy and write about their experience to share with others in their school, or they might create “houses” or a community/village of various countries to show living conditions.
For the Be Earthwise, children might decide to join together to cleanup a lake or beautify a park or play area.
The Bring Peace To Life value added programs are only limited by the children’s imagination and adult sponsors. It is expected that if the school or group decides to do the entire program, it will cover a years timeframe. At the end of this timeframe, all groups participating will be honored at a Celebration. A “winning program” will be nominated and earn the “Annual Peacemaker Award”. (As funds become available, this might include a money scholarship to the participating school, class or group.) This Celebration might also include a “Silent Auction” fundraiser and sponsor tables.
EXTENDED VERSION: Students become peacemakers for a day. Through previously provided learning activities that they have utilized in school as their preparation for this visit, they come prepared to experiment, discuss, and learn how to make the best decisions regarding various aspects of peaceful living. Their day at the Peace Center will be filled with teamwork, cooperation games, peaceful debates, workshops, learning conflict resolution steps, and role plays.
This type of learning environment, maximizes their ability to get the most out of the concepts of peacemaking, thus allowing the individual to truly internalize the skills presented.
At the end of their day, they will have developed a complete plan for making a difference in their environment; school, home, community, etc. They will be challenged to carry out this plan and when they do, will be rewarded with the “Peacemaker Plaque” for a job well done.
KIDS CAN COOPERATE
A special program to help children learn steps to Conflict Resolution. Group games, role plays, puppets, activity sheets, imagination and creativity all work together to assure children understand how to resolve their own conflicts and help others in theirs. Mediation skills, as well as self control and recognition of a situation that is escalating is emphasized. Lessons taken from the book by the same name along with activities from the Children’s PEACE Center.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
An interactive storytelling and production program based on the movie “Pay it Forward”. Children learn that they are important, have special talents, and that each one can make a difference. Guidance is provided to help them use their imagination and talents to develop and implement a project to make a difference in their own school, family or neighborhood. This can be done on an individual basis or in small groups. Children are encouraged and expected to come up with their own project and carry it through to completion. Timeframes are adjusted with the project. Adult supervision is provided.
THE THREE “R’s” PLUS (or 3R’s+)
This is an excellent program designed for Earth Day but could be used with any ecology curriculum. Children learn what the basic “3R’s involve: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, then learn the additional ones of Respect for nature, how to conserve Resources, and create sustainable environments that Renew our planet. These are all hands-on activities that involve observation, imagination, creativity and role-play experiences. Children will learn to recognize a potential problem situation in their own community and design a program to help solve that problem. This may involve cleaning up an area, to starting a recycle program in their school or community.
An added activity would involve making their own paper and shaped molds out of recycled newspaper or other natural products.
CAMPS
PEACE CAMP - K-5th, Learn peacemaking skills with fun games, computers, puzzles, puppets, snacks, crafts, conflict resolution plays, and other activities with a Bible based guidance theme. A week long day camp.
PEACE FOR ALL CAMP - Secular version of the above.
CHARACTER CAMP - Third-Sixth Grade, Learn character education skills with fun games, computers, role plays, small group discussions and themed events. A week long day camp related to building good character.
CULTURAL CAMP - K-5th Grade, A week long camp, each day is themed around a different country. All activities, music, crafts, snacks, games are derived from that particular country. Children role play and have the opportunity to dress like a child from the country of the day and learn about their culture.
STEWARDSHIP CITY - Fourth-Eighth Grade, Learn basic economics and business integrity by running your own city. Participants become the shop owners and employees, Mayor, Police, etc. They set the rules, and run the entire commerce. End of day evaluation and debriefing to determine outcomes if they successfully paid off their bills, retained a profit, and were able to donate to charity. Can be part of a classroom experience, or a camp.
TEAMBUILDING - 9th-Adult/Family. This is a modified “low ropes course” that can be done indoors or outside. Activities teach teambuilding, problem solving, communication, and enhanced respect for each other.
CLASSES/DISCOVERY WORKSHOPS
GIRL SCOUT BADGE WORKSHOP
A customized workshop for Daisy’s, Brownies, and Junior Girl Scouts to help them earn badges. Presented once every two years or upon request. Troops register a timeslot to visit the Museum and are guided through various activities to earn portions of or an entire badge.
WHAT IS WAR, WHAT IS PEACE?
A special program to help children understand what is happening today with current events concerning the War in Iraq. This allows children to ask questions, do some discussions on possible reasons, and roll play how they might handle things in these situations. This is not to “give answers” but to allow open and safe opportunities for exploration. This is age appropriate program for Adults to young children customized to fit the needs. Includes “How to talk to children about war”, and “20 things to do in times of War and 20 things to do in times of Peace”. It can be presented in Workshop format or Interactive lecture. Booklets will be available for purchase by the author Carol Marsh who writes children’s booklets on War and Peace.
Additional program or Open House time could be included for families to visit the Peace Exhibits.
GOOD TOUCH / BAD TOUCH
Through collaboration, Pam Church, Cartersville, GA, has trained professionals present age appropriate workshops concerning sexual abuse for children. Helps children and adults recognize the symptoms, and teaches how to avoid it from happening. Can be customized to fit the needs.
Additional program or Open House in the Peace Exhibits for families could be included.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Working with the Police Department, Professional Counselors and MADD, develop a program of recognition and prevention for children. Yes, even young children are at risk. Learn how to stop it from going further.
Special role plays and games to involve children in making better and safer choices when confronted with dealers will be presented.
VIOLENCE, GANGS, AND COMMUNITIES
The Police (CAGE) and Fire Department, Professional Counselors, SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) and MAVIA (Mothers Against Violence In America) work together to present a program of safety from violence to children in Elementary, Middle and High School. Role plays and games allow children to practice ways of handling these difficult issues.
KIDS CAN ENJOY NUTRITION
A type of children’s cooking class where they learn proper nutrition with challenging games, hands-on activities and fun research…then get to put it into practice by cooking up nutritious and delicious snacks and small meals.
Adult supervised, most will not require a stove.
GARDENING FOR THE PLANET
Children and/or families learn about Hydroponics and Organic Gardening by hands-on practice. They get to build their own small Hydroponics Garden and if they stay with the program, get to take the vegetables home with them. The Gardens are built from recycled material and children are taught how to handle the vegetables, care for them, and sell them if they wish. Great program for low income families to help learn how to grow nutritious food as well as make a little extra money for the family.
Future plans are for a working Hydroponics Garden in the Children’s PEACE Center.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
This Workshop is on communication and peacemaking skills in the family and workplace. Fun hands-on exhibits and activities increase awareness of stumbling blocks to communication and help participants learn better ways to communicate. Voice tones, body language and other aspects of communication are examined. Family peacemaking skills are practiced in this safe and fun environment.
This program is designed for intergenerational families, engaged or married couples. It will be lead by Professional Marriage counselors, Conflict Resolution Instructors and other qualified leaders. A special program for Parents and Teens will be developed.
ANGER MANAGEMENT
A special small group program designed to assist with controlling anger and resulting actions and reactions. This will be for Elementary children but plans are for Middle School and possibly High School at a later time. Practice and role plays will be developed along with challenging games. Taught by Anger Management specialists.
PREJUDICE IS PRE- JUDGING
A proposed program working with the Anti-Prejudice Consortium designed for Middle and High School Youth. If funding becomes available, there is an excellent Discrimination and Prejudice Entire 1500 Sq Ft Exhibition that can be purchased which provides computer simulation and hands on activities, priced $75,000.
Many of these sessions will be Intergenerational or have activities related to the main issue in age appropriate breakout sections.
ADDITIONAL PLANS
We will also hold seasonal themed activities and programs that can be customized to meet needs and address special school themes and curriculum. Various Community Festivals are planned throughout the year.
Peace Club in the community
After School Activities
Earth Day Celebration (normally April 22nd)
Annual program for ecology of the earth and it’s inhabitants.
Recycle Shop (For Teachers, Parents, Children, Community)
Part of the Resource Center, it collects and re-uses materials that can be recycled into cool science or art projects. Supplies can be purchased at a minimum bulk price for the classroom or home, or visitors can create their projects on site for a small price.
Arts for Peace
Once a year Festival involving all crafts and arts for peace. Includes puppets, dramas, hands-on crafts and activities. Make masks, hats, or special projects from recycled materials
Creativity Corner
Corner in Museum for designing things with recycled materials.
Reading Room
Storytelling
A special peaceful place in Museum to provide Readings to children about and for Peace, or Storytelling with peace emphasis.
Playful Plants
A fun drama for Pre-School and Elementary to 2nd grade to help them understand diversity and overcome or avoid prejudice play.
Meditation Garden
Enhance observation skills, provide quiet Play. Participate in a Silent Scavenger Hunt where children sit still and try to locate various designated plants, animals, sounds, smells within the Garden.
WE NEED YOUR HELP IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THESE PROGRAMS
Some of these programs are currently being operated. However many of them will only be available with appropriate space or a permanent building/location.
Building/Space, could be Temporary (at least 6 months to a year or more) or Permanent
5000-38000 Sq Ft needed, eventually 40000 total Sq Ft, would like to have it on 5+ acres for future growth, outdoor picnic areas, nature trails, low ropes course, natural habitats, possibly peace festivals, or weekend day retreats for groups to learn conflict resolution and family peacemaking skills.
Added costs: Utilities, Maintenance, Insurance, Upkeep, Renovation, Salaries for Part-time and Full-time staff as needed.
Suggestions would be an empty school building or other empty buildings not being used that could be donated, or leased cheaply to the Children’s PEACE Center in order to support the School programs and the Community service programs at a free or greatly reduced charge.
If a larger building became available, such as an empty K-Mart etc, would like to share resources with Communities in Schools, Partners In Education, possibly Violence Prevention groups or similar prevention and support groups for children. Provide a “Community Center” with a large conference/meeting room, along with smaller rooms for local meetings or small groups. Possibly share space with a Library or provide a small library.
You can help by telling others, help find us a location, volunteer with our Community Support Team or with a one time event, or make a tax deductible donation to support the projects.
