Summer Camp 2009: June 23 - Aug. 25

To enhance connection of youth with the earth, plants, animals, and each other and to teach ways of maintaining these interconnections in the midst of materialistic and individualistic influences.

About | Activities | Biographies | Registration | Scholarships

Philosophy: We strive to create a deeper understanding and concern for the natural world through a program that stresses enjoyable and active, hands-on learning. We believe that experiential learning will enable children to make intelligent decisions relating to the future of our planet. We value life-long learning and the renewing aspects of nature.

Structure: Camp is once a week, every Tuesday from 9am - 4:00pm starting June 23 for 10 weeks. The program has educational components with sessions building on each other sequentially. We request that youth commit to all or most of the sessions to get the most out of the program.  We provide a healthy vegetarian lunch incorporating local and organic foods as much as possible.

Cost: $100 for 10 weeks if prepaid in full, otherwise $12 per week. Fee includes nutritious lunch and snack. A limited number of scholarships are available upon request.

Ages: 12-18 year old boys and girls

What to bring: Hats, sunscreen, long pants, shorts, swimming suits, towels, water bottle, daypack, gardening gloves, jackets, rain gear.  PLEASE LEAVE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES AT HOME.

Activities: Gardening, construction, music-making, cooking, baking, hiking, science and environmental education, yoga, dance, community-building activities, wilderness awareness and skills, art, investigating consumerism, and more.  A list of possible activities is below.

Facilitator Biographies:

Kelle Kersten has over 5 years of experience working with troubled children and youth. She worked as a tutor at a state juvenile justice youth camp for teenage boys in the mountains of western Maryland and presented a lesson on black bears and on the identification and use of wild plants. Kelle worked as a child care worker/counselor at a group home for adolescent boys near Allentown, PA, where she coordinated a organic gardening program with the Rodale Institute for three years and served as cub scout leader for two years. She regularly planned environmental education activities for the boys. Currently she works as a relief counselor at Centre County Youth Services Bureau’s four residential facilities. In addition, Kelle has over 10 years experience as an organic farmer. She is an organic farm inspector and manages a small market garden.

Rosalind McIntosh, is a graduate of the Zen Peacemaker Zen House Seminary for Socially Engaged Buddhism. She grew up in New Zealand, and received her Ph.D. from Cambridge University in England. She had 9 years full-time training and practice as a monastic at Zen Mountain Monastery, Mount Tremper, NY, after a 35-year international career as a medical researcher, professor and consultant. She has been personal assistant to Roshi Bernie Glassman. Mother of two grown children, she ran a lay Zen group in New Zealand for 8 years, and has experience as a dancer, photographer, and solo wilderness enthusiast.

Dominique Marsalek, recently moved into Ahimsa Village. I am 22 years old and graduated a year ago from college with degrees I am not really using. I am a traveler, student, and artist. Currently I am learning the art of living. I met Kelle through my work with youth in State College. Kelle and Bob were kind enough to welcome me into their life and I am very grateful. I am very passionate about a lot of what is going on at Ahimsa and trying to soak it all up. I am learning everything I possibly can and trying to make the most out of each moment. Please introduce yourself to me; I love new people and places. Email: lightingstar@mailcity.com

Registration Information

How to enroll: Contact Kelle Kersten at 355-0850 or magicjubilee@yahoo.com or print out and mail in the registration form (pdf).

Scholarships

The Ahimsa Village Summer Camp is supported by the Huston Township Parks and Recreation Authority.  Scholarships are available to low-income families in Huston Township, PA.  Contact Kelle Kersten at 355-0850 or magicjubilee@yahoo.com to apply.