Dear Applicants,
Thank you for your interest in Creativity for Peace. This unique program brings young women from Israel and Palestine to a peaceful and supportive setting, which fosters their artistic creativity and communication and leadership skills. The camp will provide daily opportunities for creativity, dialogue, understanding and reconciliation.
The instructions and applications are at the bottom of the page.
2008 camp dates are:
Please note the dates were revised on 1-23-2008
July 13-31
August 4-23
We are currently accepting applications.
Following is a description of our summer camp. You will need to complete the camper application and two letters of recommendation. If you are accepted to camp, you will need to complete the medical, legal, media, and Mountain Center release forms. We are now in the selection process, so please send your application to Anael Harpaz as soon as possible. Your application will not be complete without two letters of recommendation, which must be sent to Anael directly. The deadline for receiving applications, photos and letters of recommendation is February 15, 2008. Upon receipt of all the forms Anael will set up an interview time and date.
Thank you for your interest. If you have any questions, please contact Anael Harpaz in Israel.
Participant Information and Application Process
Age and Gender: The camp is for young women aged 15-17 years of age.
Participant Criteria: Participants must have strong competency in spoken English. All programs, dialogues, and art activities will be conducted in English.
The program includes group and individual dialogues on such topics as: diverse cultural views, discrimination, fear, suffering, violence, prejudice, and coexistence. Each applicant must be willing to share her story and her feelings, and at the same time listen to others’ stories and viewpoints.
Art is an important element of Creativity for Peace camp. Art is used as a vehicle for exploring emotion and personal expression. Although art experience is not necessary, applicants should be willing to fully participate in the art program.
The goal of the camp is to offer opportunities for the young women to move past their prejudices, to communicate freely and creatively and to establish long-term relationships with those who they may have previously feared and or did not understand. We hope that each participant will return home with new understanding and leadership skills for promoting peaceful coexistence in her community.
Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to peace, as well as an interest in speaking and listening to other young women of diverse backgrounds.
Applicants must commit to a follow-up program of sustained dialogue, art and other fun activities. Meetings will be held throughout the year.
Application Process: Each applicant must complete the enclosed application form, which includes questions and a short autobiography. These must be written in the girl’s own words. Answer all the questions in English. Please contact Anael here and email or mail your application to her.
Camp Fees: The camp fee is $500 - $2,000, based on a sliding scale. Fees are to be paid directly to Anael by check and mailed to her due by May 15, 2008. Requests to attend camp at no charge should be made in writing to Anael Harpaz.
Passports and Visas: Families are responsible for procuring valid passports and U.S. visas and all fees pertaining to same. Copies of passports and visas must be sent to Anael by June 1, 2008.
Medical Insurance: Medical insurance is required and must be paid by each family. Proof of insurance will be required for participation.
Legal & Medical Forms: Upon acceptance to camp, legal and medical forms and proof of medical insurance will be required. Forms must be signed by parents/guardian and family doctor. Please let us know if there are any pre-existing medical conditions that would affect the camper at high altitude or under stress. Once you are accepted to camp we also require releases for participation in the Santa Fe Mountain Center’s ropes course and for media coverage.
General Information
Accommodations: The altitude of the camp is 2800 meters. Campers are housed in a private home located on 40 acres of mountain forestland with beautiful scenic views. Campers are assigned to their bedrooms based on cultural diversity. No room swapping is allowed.
Food: Part of the camp program is to experience a diversity of international foods. Please come prepared to enjoy tasting new and different foods. Pork, however, is not included on the menu. Participants with special dietary needs must contact the office in advance.
Telephone: NO CELL PHONES ARE ALLOWED. Families may call their daughter once a week at scheduled times (to be announced). The exceptions will be emergencies or birthdays.
Email: Families may email to camp@creativityforpeace.com however, campers are not allowed to email.
Clothing: A suggested list of clothing and other suggested items to bring will be given out prior to the start of camp. Laundry is done every few days, so it is not necessary to bring lots of clothes. Past experience has taught that it is highly advisable to pack in one suitcase and bring an empty suitcase for purchased items and art work. Please keep in mind that airlines have very strict baggage allowance and extra weight is very costly. So, bring less and plan for shopping at the mall.
Shopping: There will be a shopping expedition to one of the Santa Fe shopping malls. Shopping money is to be provided by each family. Each camper may bring up to $300 for personal shopping.
Activities: Activities will include hiking (bring walking shoes and a hat for the sun), swimming, shopping, visiting museums and having lunch in private homes and restaurants. For outdoor activities, please bring sunscreen.
Dogs: There are dogs on the property and in most American homes.
If you have a serious fear of dogs, it may be difficult for you to negotiate the campus or field trips. Please discuss this with Anael or Silvi during the application and interviewing process to judge if your participation is feasible.
Dental Needs: Please have a dental check-up several months before camp to make sure your dental needs are attended to. We have experienced many dental problems during camp, which takes the pleasure out of camp, results in loss of activity time, and is very expensive.
Household: As part of the camp experience of forming community and acquiring leadership skills, daily housekeeping chores will be assigned along with special times for cooking.
Environment: No smoking is allowed on the campus.
Personal Travel: Anyone wishing to visit family/friends before or after camp in the USA will need to make all their arrangements, changes and payments directly with the CFP travel agent in Israel no later than June 1, 2008. Please notify the Israel office of any personal travel arrangements.
IMPORTANT - We can NOT accept ANY application that does not include:
- A copy of the passport and identity card
- Two photographs with your name printed on the back, in English.
- Two recommendations completed by adults who are NOT family members, for example teachers, etc.
- Address should include the P.O.B. number and NOT only the name of village.
Instructions:
To read this information in Hebrew, click here or in Arabic, click here.
Camper Application:
To read camp information and application in a English PDF, click here.
For the Microsoft WORD version in English, click here.
Acrobat Reader is required for reading the PDF documents:
Click here to download Adobe Acrobat if you don’t have it.