Heartland Farm Peace Camp 2012

PAWNEE ROCK, KS - During the week of June 4, 15 children (ages 9 through 12) gathered at Heartland Farm (a founded ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace located in Pawnee Rock, KS) to participate in the 2012 Peace Camp. This year's program theme "Kansas" provided participants with various activities focused around themes of agriculture, energy, history, quirky Kansas culture (the group had a "largest ball of twine" contest), and natural history; every child even baked their own loaf of Kansas-grown wheat bread in the Farm's solar oven. Local beekeeper (and Heartland Farm Advisory Council member), Bruce Swob brought his bees and honey samples. Kids explored the trails and learned cooperative skills while re-enacting a trip on the Santa Fe Trail as well as participating in an active tag game of "Carnivores and Herbivores." Pounding real flowers on special cloth resulted in a 16 square quilt, with each child producing a square, which Sr. Joan Ice quickly turned into a finished piece that one lucky individual won on the last day of Camp. Daily swimming in the Farm's pond, trips to the "Swinging Tree," an on-going water-balloon volleyball game, plus other activities rounded out a full camp day, which spanned from 9am to 4:30pm.

"We felt the activities were fun and worthwhile," commented Sr. Jane Belanger, "and were particularly pleased with the contributions of Jared Gingerich and Shana Goering, who developed the Bread-Making and 'Carnivore-Herbivore' game as well as above-mentioned Bruce Swob and his bees."

Heartland Farm is also grateful for the granted funds provided by the Golden Belt Community Foundation, an organization that helped to make Peace Camp a great success!