wfn.org | Episcopalians: Mideast children's peace group to attend Camp Allen

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

May 30, 2002

2002-137

Episcopalians: Mideast children's peace group to attend Camp 
Allen

by Carol E. Barnwell

(ENS) In the midst of Mideast violence and uncertainty, a 
remarkable initiative for children is cause for hope and 
encouragement. This summer, Camp Allen, in the Diocese of Texas, 
will host 12 Palestinian and Israeli children, ages 11-12, for a 
summer camp session as part of a unique "education for peace" 
opportunity.  

With St. George's College and Cathedral in Jerusalem, a group of 
Israelis and Palestinians committed to peace and co-existence in 
their war-torn area have launched "Kids4Peace." The Jewish, 
Christian and Muslim group believes that their children hold the 
key to a better future and that education leads to peace. 

The trip for the children and their sponsors was made possible 
by an anonymous donor in the Diocese of Texas.  "This is one 
more example of how a vision to reach out opens possibilities 
beyond our imagination," said the Rt. Rev. Claude E. Payne, 
bishop of Texas and president of the Americans of the Episcopal 
Diocese of Jerusalem.

The children and their sponsors will be an essential link to 
connect the week-long summer camp adventure to the challenging 
realities of their life at home. It is hoped that the experience 
of tolerance and respect the children gain can invite adults 
into a more peace-filled coexistence as well.

Camp Allen President George Dehan said, "Even the early planning 
of this visit has been complicated.  Calling an airline and 
getting a passport is relatively easy for us, but it is a major 
problem to do the same thing from Jerusalem."  

Activities that are fun, provide spiritual enrichment and allow 
the children to socialize and explore at Camp Allen will be a 
giant leap in every aspect from their current living conditions, 
Dehan said.  Even though these are special visitors he 
emphasized that they will have the same camping experience that 
has been a tradition at Camp Allen for 81 years.  

Follow-up projects and future "education for peace" initiatives 
are planned.

------

For further information about the "Kids4Peace 2002" see www.kids4peace.org.

--Carol Barnwell is the Director of Communications of the 
Episcopal Diocese of Texas and the editor of the Texas 
Episcopalian newspaper.