Open to kids ages 11-18 and adults 21 or older

CISV Philadelphia, part of a global community of dedicated volunteers that provides people of all ages the opportunity to experience the excitement and enrichment of cultural diversity, has announced its programming for 2013.  Programs for 2013 are open to children ages 11-18 and adults 21 years of age or older for leadership positions.  Applications are due by December 15, 2012, for priority consideration.

What is CISV?  Each year, through a global network of more than 60 countries, participants from all over the world are brought together to foster international understanding and friendships.  Children and their adult leaders share unique living situations with people from other cultures.  CISV, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year (which was recognized in September 2011 by Philadelphia City Council through a Resolution honoring CISV), is a charitable, independent, non-political, non-profit volunteer organization promoting peace education and cross-cultural friendship.

Children who participate in CISV develop  a love of making new friends, feeling comfortable in new situations and getting involved in social action.  Additionally, CISV allows children to interact and use their learned skills in monthly local activities and bi-yearly regional and national events. Many children find themselves drawn back year after year for more programs and more opportunities to expand their world view, culminating with becoming leaders and staff in CISV camps.

Cross-cultural programs available in 2013 to CISV Philadelphia:

VILLAGE, a four-week international camp for 11 year olds, attended by delegations from 12-14 countries.  Approximately 60 Village experiences are held each summer around the globe.  Villages open to the CISV Philadelphia chapter for Summer 2013:  Galicia, Spain (July 20 - August 16) and Sør-Trøndelag, Norway (June 28 – July 25).  Each delegation consists of 2 boys, 2 girls and an adult leader.  CISV’s founder intentionally chose 11 year olds as these children have the maturity to be away from home yet are young enough to accept each other without prejudice.

VILLAGE JUNIOR COUNSELOR: Junior Counselors, ages 16-17, work with the adult delegation leaders, camp director and staff to support the needs of the children at Village.  CISV Philadelphia has an opening for one female Junior Counselor to attend a Village in Londrina, Brazil (June 28 - July 25) and one male Junior Counselor to attend a Village in Gaungzhou, China (July 15 - August 11).

YOUTH MEETING, a 15-day international leadership camp.  CISV Philadelphia will be sending a delegation of 6 children, ages 12 & 13, and an adult leader, to a Youth Meeting in Ferrera, Italy (July 5 - July 19).

INTERCHANGE: A delegation of 8-10 teens, 13 & 14 year olds, and a leader, host and travel together.  CISV Philadelphia delegates will host children from Mölndal/Gothenburg, Sweden and then will travel to Sweden and stay with the families of children they hosted (host: late June - early July; travel: mid-July - early-August).

STEP UP (formerly known as "Summer Camp"), a three-week international camp for 15 year olds, attended by delegations from six nations. The emphasis is on personal development, self understanding and developing leadership skills--taking a step up towards becoming better global citizens.  CISV Philadelphia will be sending a delegation of 2 boys, 2 girls and an adult leader to a summer camp in Bologna, Italy (July 5 - July 27).

SEMINAR CAMP, a three-week multi-cultural experience for teens ages 17-18, has participants from many nations. CISV Philadelphia will be sending one female delegate to Stockholm, Sweden (June 30 - July 20) and one female delegate to Atlanta, Georgia (June 30 - July 20).

LEADERS:  Leaders, ages 21 and older, are needed for the two Village delegations, the Step Up delegation, the Youth Meeting delegation and the Interchange delegation.

Any interested child, teen or adult is encouraged to apply for the 2013 CISV Philadelphia programs.  Applications are available at www.philly.cisvusa.org.

For more information, visit www.philly.cisvusa.org or contact Caryn Helhowski, chapter president, at caryn.cisv@gmail.com, or call or text to 215-947-3808.