Highlights from Past GCO Camps

In the 2000 camp, we had children who survived the massacres and near starvation in the so called UN "safe areas" of Srebrenicia and Gorazde. These children had their first experience of carefree childhood and play while at GCO summer camp. Prior to their coming, GCO Founder and Executive Director, Judith Jenya visited Gorazde and the medical center in Vogosca, Bosnia run by GCO camp doctor, Dr. Zdravko.

GCO volunteers in the past  worked with Kosovar children at the Hadzici Refugee Center - and brought much needed supplies, including shoes, clothing, and toys. We collaborate in Bosnia with an Italian non-governmental organization AIB, and the foundation headed by General Jovan Divjak, Education Builds Bosnia.

The team of volunteers is diverse including representatives from all over the U.S. (from Hawaii to Maine), Mexico, Jordan, Ecuador, Russia, Slovenia, England, France, and Germany. The volunteers came from all walks of life too, including students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, artists, therapists and musicians, including New York Police Detective, "Pepsi,"  who brought endless energy, patience and talent.

Student volunteers represented Harvard, Yale, Brown, Bowdin, Sarah Lawrence, George Washington University, NYU, University of Maryland, Emory Law School, University of Tennessee, University of Michigan, Reed College, UC Berkeley, UC-Santa Cruz, UCLA, UC-Santa Barbara, University of Monterey Mexico, University of Sarajevo, and University of Tuzla. We also had high school seniors who volunteered from Dalton School, NY; Menlo School, CA; Oakwood School, CA; Bar Harbor High School, Maine; Punahou School, Hawaii: Germantown and Springside, Pa; and other schools in California, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Utah.

Summer camp is a memorable experience of living in community with a diverse group of people. The Community-Building "Fun and Games" program was successful at offering the participants alternatives to violent conflict resolution as well as building teamwork, self-esteem, and respect for each other and the environment. This summer the four members of the Sarajevo Drum Orchestra again played and taught drumming daily. The art program, one of the biggest parts of GCO's camps, is a haven of creative expression in a safe environment which allows the children to express their fears, hopes and creative abilities. The evening program is always festive with music, dancing, and the costumes and talents of the children and volunteers. And, thanks to Pepsi sharing the latest moves from the Bronx with the children, we now have our own GCO Dancers.

GCO is pleased to continue our commitment to the children of Bosnia and Croatia living in a region that desperately needs the message of peace and hope.

Alma from Mostar, GCO volunteer, teaches singing

GCO Camp in Northern Ireland

In August 1999, we held our first camp called "Turning Neighbors Into Friends" for children from "the Troubles" of Northern Ireland. We hosted over 80 kids from Belfast, L'Derry, Omagh both Catholics and Protestants. Some had witnessed horrible violence and had the seeds of hate and anger planted in their young minds, so GCO needed to find new ways to reach out to these kids and issues facing Northern Ireland. They needed to be approached with sensitivity, flexibility and diplomacy.  With the hel p of some compassionate and giving Irish counselors, we were able to adapt our program and address their needs.

With rain an obstacle, and cultural differences a tangible issue, we had much to discuss in our daily Staff Meetings. It was in these discussions that the passions and commitment of our staff really shined. During each meeting, Judith asked the volunteers to participate in a GCO tradition: to share a special moment they'd had with the rest of the staff. It was these shared moments which moved and further empowered many of us to connect with the wee lads and girls of the North, and to our new friends-the volunteers.

Like our camp from the other side of Europe, there were community building activities. We also played football, volleyball, basketball, painted, performed in drama, made a peace mural, took walks to the beach, visited Falcarragh, our local town, made art in the sculpture garden, sang, danced and danced some more. We were entertained by traditional performers from the region, including local puppeteers and musicians. We also hosted a unique interfaith service which prompted one child to comment: "I didn't know they had the same God!"

Several people documented the Irish camp, since it was the first of its kind for GCO and for the region. The Oakland public schools and their TV station cosponsored a film project this summer about the GCO Volunteer Experience. Another LA volunteer is doing a short film on the kids. "The New York Post" already ran a story on July 30, 1999. And the Irish publication "Sunday People" ran a wonderful, uplifting piece on our camp.

GCO's Ireland camp was eventually a smashing success. Brilliant! And many toughened kids, some quite burdened by lives of segregation and violence, were transformed into loving, hugging and trusting children. We've received letters, phone calls and tons of emails from the volunteers and kids who say they miss it terribly and want to come back.

The kids are keeping in touch with their new friends from the other side of "The Troubles."

And so, GCO is quite proud to say: we WILL return, rain or shine.

Kids of Northern Ireland walk with Fred, Josh, Erin and Paul.

See photos from summer 99 in Ireland.

Building A Bridge Between The Regions...and the Future

Rashi, Malcolm and Dado

Understanding the importance of their jobs and how fortunate they were to have this international experience, both embraced the camp with intensity. Dado and Marko not only made a contribution in Northern Ireland, their experience also strengthened their commitment to GCO. Inspired by Dado and Marko, two Irish volunteers have expressed interest in coming over to help us in the Balkans next summer. GCO hopes to continue this cross-regional interchange.

1999 was truly an enriching and transforming summer for GCO. One full of new connections and challenges. With more hope and momentum building for 2000 and beyond, plans are now underway for the future.