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Session 1: July 6-16, 2008
(volunteers arrive July 3)
Session 2: July 20-30, 2008 (volunteers arrive July 17)
"If we are to make real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children." -- Mahatma Gandhi
Session 2: July 20-30, 2008 (volunteers arrive July 17)
"If we are to make real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children." -- Mahatma Gandhi
Becoming a Volunteer Camp
Counselor (Click
Here for 2008 application)
GCO camps are staffed by dedicated volunteers of all ages from all over the world, including the communities where the children live. This joyful, moving, hands-on experience is life-changing for many volunteers. It allows them to deeply connect to humanity, including their own. At camp, volunteers live, learn and work as part of a diverse staff that supports creativity, communication and cooperation and values the unique contributions of each volunteer. While each GCO volunteer brings his or her own, unique set of talents, skills and interests, as a staff we share the vision that, working together, we are able to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve. GCO volunteers find their experiences at camp inspiring and empowering. As a GCO volunteer, you will have the challenge and the opportunity to practice service and compassion on a global scale for those who need it the most: children..
So often, after camp, GCO receives testimonials from volunteers who have found their experience nothing short of life-changing:
"This program has opened my eyes, heart and soul. GCO camp has been the most important and transformational two weeks of my life!"
General Information About Volunteering at a GCO Camp
Application fee: $35, due at time application is submitted.
Application due date: Rolling applications until filled.
Program fee: $1550 for each volunteer. In addition to this program fee, volunteers cover their own transportation costs to and from camp.
Age of applicants: Applicants must be seventeen or older.
Returning volunteers: GCO welcomes returning volunteers. All returning volunteers must submit an application and complete all documents.
Volunteer selection: GCO aims for a balance of individuals representing returning and new volunteers, both genders, a wide range of age groups, nationalities, and cultures.
Interviews: Applicants are interviewed in-person and/or via phone within two weeks of submitting an application.
GCO camps are staffed by dedicated volunteers of all ages from all over the world, including the communities where the children live. This joyful, moving, hands-on experience is life-changing for many volunteers. It allows them to deeply connect to humanity, including their own. At camp, volunteers live, learn and work as part of a diverse staff that supports creativity, communication and cooperation and values the unique contributions of each volunteer. While each GCO volunteer brings his or her own, unique set of talents, skills and interests, as a staff we share the vision that, working together, we are able to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve. GCO volunteers find their experiences at camp inspiring and empowering. As a GCO volunteer, you will have the challenge and the opportunity to practice service and compassion on a global scale for those who need it the most: children..
So often, after camp, GCO receives testimonials from volunteers who have found their experience nothing short of life-changing:
"This program has opened my eyes, heart and soul. GCO camp has been the most important and transformational two weeks of my life!"
General Information About Volunteering at a GCO Camp
Application fee: $35, due at time application is submitted.
Application due date: Rolling applications until filled.
Program fee: $1550 for each volunteer. In addition to this program fee, volunteers cover their own transportation costs to and from camp.
Age of applicants: Applicants must be seventeen or older.
Returning volunteers: GCO welcomes returning volunteers. All returning volunteers must submit an application and complete all documents.
Volunteer selection: GCO aims for a balance of individuals representing returning and new volunteers, both genders, a wide range of age groups, nationalities, and cultures.
Interviews: Applicants are interviewed in-person and/or via phone within two weeks of submitting an application.
Cornerstones
of our GCO Summer Program
Arts
and Healing:
Our Arts and Healing program includes theater, music, dance and visual arts. The program supports and encourages individual expression as well as group activities emphasizing teamwork, collaboration and creative problem solving. Drumming, singing, painting, sandplay and more, help children explore new avenues of communication and aspects of themselves.
Community
Building:
Our community building curriculum includes games and exercises that promote respect, trust, and teamwork. Through these activities, children become part of a diverse camp community, and develop increasing flexibility and awareness in learning non-violent, collaborative options for problem solving.
Recreational
Horseback Riding:
A highly trained staff of riding specialists provides training to campers, matching them with horses, teaching them to ride and instructing them in the care and tending of the horses and riding equipment. The kinship between horse, rider, and support staff opens doors for life-long transformations. The powerful presence and generous heart of the horse allows for a natural opportunity to overcome fear, develop confidence, increase sense of personal responsibility and emphasize mutual respect.
Sports:
Campers enjoy many sports activities in a supportive and noncompetitive environment. They gain confidence playing sports like soccer and basketball, and acquire new skills and practice team-building as they participate in hiking adventures, ropes courses, mountain biking, and group games.
Location of GCO
2008 Summer Program
The 2008 GCO summer program will be held in a beautiful 15-acre mountain retreat that has been created and developed, over the past 10 years, through the efforts of Jean Claude Carreau. Mr. Carreau's son was killed by a mortar shell shot at the humanitarian convoy he was leading in July 1995, while serving as a UN peacekeeping officer in Sarajevo. In memory and tribute to his son, Mr. Carreau has dedicated his energies and resources to developing a mountain retreat that specializes in recreational and therapeutic horseback riding for children who have suffered from the many post-war traumas and losses. Mr. Carreau's objectives have been 1) to support the children affected by the regional conflicts in the Balkans and 2) to promote a new understanding between the peoples in the region. In past years, Mr. Carreau and his organization have sent children to GCO camps hosted on the coast, and now we are pleased to bring our entire camp program to the beautiful mountain retreat that has been developed in the mountains near Sarajevo.
A
The GCO
volunteers' experience-- in their own words.University of California students serving as GCO interns, spring 2007
GCO is very grateful to have two University of California students serving as interns this spring. Both Allison Stinson (a Development Studies Major) and Amy Elmgren (a Peace and Conflict Studies Major) are juniors at UC Berkeley. As GCO interns, they have been involved with preparations for our 2007 programs and with research pertaining to longer-term planning and development. They each have much to offer and we are delighted with their interest and grateful for their participation.
Can't
join us at camp but would like to help? Here's some
ways you can help!!!
---pass
along camp info to friends and colleagues
---post
flyers at your school, workplace, place of worship, etc.
---pass
around a "small change jar" and fill it up. . . proceeds go to any of
the following (you decide): art supplies, sports
supplies and activities, tee shirts
---contribute to
a fund that provides scholarships for
Balkan-American volunteers who wish to participate in our program
but need funding to cover camp fees
Other Ways to Volunteer with GCO
Wish List
---New website design (looking for someone with good
website design skills and lots of heart who would like to
help out our non-profit by donating their time and energy to update
GCO's website)
---New program brochures (looking for someone with needed
skills and lots of heart who would like to help out our
non-profit by donating their time and energy to design new brochures)
- Office assistance
- Special projects
- Public relations
- Fundraising
- Write an article for a local newspaper about GCO and/or your experience
- Notify an alumni association you may be a member of about GCO and your involvement/experience
- Research and/or write a grant
- Check into your company's donor matching program
- Speak at local schools, colleges, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, churches, temples, fraternities, or sororities
- Host a GCO information session at your home
- Have a garage sale
- Help with travel arrangements/shipping
- Solicit in-kind contributions for camp
- Contact airlines about donating flights for volunteers
- Contact shipping companies about donating shipping costs
- Collect supplies for camp
- Your idea?
If you are interested in volunteering with GCO, please email us at gco@globalchild.org.
3580 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1800
Los Angeles Ca 90010
Phone: (310) 581-2234
Fax: (213) 389-1237
gco@globalchild.org