Villager Reports on CISV

In DeKalb County, Georgia Schools, 6th grade brings on a unique opportunity for 6th graders to flex their growing research muscles and write what is usually their second full-fledged research paper.  Much time goes into selecting a topic which will sustain the writers interest and enthusiasm throughout the research and writing process.  It is truly a joy to see when CISV has touched a past Villager enough for her to write about CISV.

What is Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV)?

 

Melissa Gurevitch

6^th Grade

Social Studies

Henderson Middle School

Mr. Hawkins

 

VERIFICATION PAGE

 

 

 

I verify that I typed this research paper exactly as it was written by Melissa Gurevitch.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                 

Parent Signature

THESIS STATEMENT

 

I chose my topic for many reasons.  The main reason is that I recently participated in a Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV) program and I wanted to learn more.  I also wanted others to learn about the organization and the unique experience.  In this paper you will learn all about the past, present and future of CISV.

 

 

METHODOLOGY

 

 

9/20/2006      Presented topic to Mr. Hawkins.

9/21/2006      Began preliminary research.

9/22/2006      Turned in a few note cards.

9/29/2006      Turned in outline.

10/6/2006      Decided to participate in Social Studies Fair.

10/13/2005     Turned in research paper rough draft and backboard design.

10/25/2006     Turned in final copy of research paper.

10/27/2006     Brought in backboard for local Social Studies Fair.

“The power of love is stronger than the love of power.”

                                                                                        - Doris Allen

 

CISV stands for Children’s International Summer Villages.  It is an organization that promotes peace through children.  There are many worldwide programs which work to achieve this goal.

Doris Twitchell Allen, the founder of CISV, achieved many things in her life and changed many people’s lives.  Doris Allen was born October 8, 1901 in Augusta, Maine.  As an adult she was a child psychologist.  She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, the Year of the Child.  Doris Allen died when she was 101 on March 17, 2002.

After World War II, Doris Allen decided that something needed to be done to help achieve world peace.  On August 11, 1946, Doris Allen was reading an article on the formation of an adult world peace organization.  Doris Allen disagreed with the article, she thought “we must start with the children.”  Five years later, after much work and preparation, the first Village was held in 1951.  Little did she know that her one small Village and many great ideas would grow to become an organization with over 60 participating countries.

The original CISV program was the Village, an international summer camp.  The first Village was held in Cincinnati, Ohio with participants from USA, Mexico and Europe.  A Village consists of up to twelve delegations from around the world.  A delegation is two boys and two girls, age eleven and an adult leader all from the same area.  Doris Allen chose eleven year olds because they were old enough to be away from home but young enough not to have prejudices against each other.  Each Village has a theme and the activities are based around that theme.  Although Villages focus on learning about peace and cultures, the activities are mostly games, songs and arts and crafts.  A Village also has five Junior Counselors age 16 to 17 and five to six staff from the hosting country.

CISV started out with just Villages but now there are many other programs.  The next program to be held was an Interchange where five boys and five girls age 12 to 14 travel with an adult leader to a foreign country.  They are matched with a child of the same age, gender and similar interests.  The visiting child stays with their partner and their family for a month.  The same or the next summer they switch so the other child experiences foreign culture.  The Interchange started in 1962 with children from Germany and England.  Several years later in 1995 the International Summer Camp because a CISV program.  This program is similar to a Village but is for 13 to 14 year olds.  There are many other programs for all ages which include Seminar Camp, International Peoples Project and the International Youth Meeting.  These are all great experiences and there is a program for everyone.

CISV has changed in many ways since it started over 50 years ago.  There are now over 60 participating countries which include Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Egypt.  Many new programs have been added to include a wide variety of ages.  There have been 4,136 programs worldwide and 155,881 participants from 1951 to 2001.

In Doris Allen’s lifetime she has seen many changes and growth within CISV.  Many of her hopes and ideas for the future will be achieved by the many CISV volunteers and participants.  CISV is a great experience for both children and their families.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Long, Phil and Paltenstein, Joan and Ferreira, Irmgard B.M. and Banks, Joseph G.  Children’s International Summer Villages 1951 - 2001.  Newcastle, England: CISV International Ltd, 2001.

 

“Children’s International Summer Villages.”  CISV-USA National Office.  Cincinnati, OH: CISV-USA National Office, 2001.

 

CISV.  [Online] Available http://www.cisvusa.org, September 26, 2006.

 

CISV History.  [Online] Available http://www.geocities.com/vienna/8283/history.htm?200627, September 27, 2006.

 

CISV History.  [Online] Available http://www.cisvwaterloo.org/history.html, September 27, 2006.

 

CISV.  [Online] Available http://www.cisv.org, September 27, 2006.